Worry, The Fear that Kills and the Anxiety that Steals our Peace
One of the many things we are good at as humans is worrying. Worry may seem like a constant and ever-present disturbance to our daily lives. Worry is fight or flight response that never seems to turn off and it may seem at times that it has such a strong emotional influence on us that it cannot be ignored.
“Come to me all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light”
WORRY, however, is not an emotion. Worry is the mental action of bringing up conflicts or fears, mulling over them, and contemplating worst-case scenarios. [1]
ANXIETY on the other hand is a more general, long-term feeling of uneasiness, a vague perception of threat that won’t go away.
FEAR is the emotion of alarm in reaction to a perceived danger or threat.
Below are the common fears facing Christians today: [2]
The Good News: Peace
In the beginning Adam and Eve hid from God. Perhaps that is what we are trying to do by worrying. We are trying to hide our insufficiency without God by taking control of our environment. Sin further perpetuates our deep seeded mistrust in God’s goodness. Some of our worry is relevant such as a planning for the future, health and safety or thinking of improving our relationships. But, bad types of worry can manifest in various forms, affecting our mental, emotional, and even physical well-being. It robs us of joy, hinders our productivity, and strains our relationships. It's important to acknowledge the weight of our worries and the toll they take on our lives.
Jesus' Invitation: In Matthew 11:28, Jesus extends a compassionate invitation to all who are weary and burdened. He understands our struggles and offers us rest. This invitation is not limited to a select few but is extended to each one of us. It is an invitation to come as we are, with our worries and concerns, and find comfort in His presence.
Finding Rest in Jesus: Rest, as offered by Jesus, is not merely a physical break or escape from our problems. It is a deep spiritual rest that brings peace to our souls. It is the assurance that we are not alone in our struggles and that Jesus carries our burdens alongside us. Finding rest in Jesus involves surrendering our worries to Him and trusting in His provision and care.
Trusting in God's Sovereignty: Worry often stems from our desire to control outcomes and circumstances. However, when we surrender our worries to God, we acknowledge His sovereignty and trust in His plans for our lives. We can find peace knowing that He holds the future in His hands and works all things together for our good.
Embracing God's Grace and Provision: Jesus' invitation to find rest in Him is a reminder of His grace and provision. As we trust in Him, we can let go of the need to strive, worry, and be consumed by anxiety. Instead, we can embrace the truth that God is our loving Father who cares for us, provides for our needs, and walks with us through every trial.
We will never live in a world free from worry, but God calls us to do something difficult and unnatural: Trust in Him. Our tools for battle are God’s word, God’s character, God’s resources (through prayer), God’s people (to lean into) and a future hope in God that will never be taken away. Amen!
[1] Insight for Living. 2007. Counseling Insights: A Biblical Perspective on Caring for People. Plano, TX: Insight for Living.
[2] Ibid, p 438
Jake is a new intern here at Redeemer. He currently serves God and country while attending seminary at Dallas Theological. He lives in Fate with his wife Leanne, two children, pug and cat. He enjoys lots of caffeine, learning interesting things and people. You can contact Jake HERE!