Daily Dwelling

Fear, worry & anxiety 

We have all had moments of fear or worry throughout our lives. Fear is actually an emotion given by God that acts as an alert for danger. Worry is a result of fear that many times affects our thinking in a moment or leading up to a moment. Anxiety is how our body responds to that fear or worry.  

I remember being pregnant with my son in the first trimester. I had never gone through anything in my life that required so much trust in God. In the first trimester, you don’t feel the kicks and movements of your baby. I worried every single day. I anxiously waited for my next appointment to get affirmation that everything was still progressing well. 

In the midst of my worry and anxiety, I remembered that Jesus experienced every emotion we feel today. He was tempted in every way. He is not a God who is far off from us. Instead, he has walked exactly where we are.

When it comes to anxiety, there are a couple of truths in God’s word. I hope these truths can bring encouragement in the midst of our fear. 

Our anxiety reveals to us how we view God: We often become distracted when we fear the future. We try to take matters into our own hands. I am someone whose faith does not come easy. Maybe it’s because throughout my life I’ve experienced people misusing my trust. As a result, trusting God or anyone causes me fear of being let down. Or maybe it’s because I am a naturally pessimistic thinker. Believing that God actually wants what is best for me all the time seems impossible. Your faith muscles may need more exercise than others. This doesn’t mean that your heart for God is not as pure. It also doesn’t mean that you’re not a strong believer! What is crucial is our belief in the truth that God’s word is both true and correct. It assures us that God desires and knows what is always best for us. He is good and faithful. We can trust Him. If you struggle to believe God is good, it may be the root of your anxieties. Doubting His care for you can also contribute to your anxiety. Pray that God would teach you to believe in His goodness. Pray that you understand He is the most reliable person you can depend on. 

Our anxiety unveils how much we trust God: We know from reading the gospels about Jesus’s presence and his intention in His ministry on earth. He grieved with people, He empathized, and sometimes He even performed a miracle. Jesus cares about you and whatever season you’re walking through! He is The Good Shepherd! He cares about the things that cause you hurt, sadness, grief, joy, and happiness. In Psalm 23, He promises to walk with us through the valley. He remains with us and we must learn what it looks like to trust the One who is in control. The One who is sovereign over every single detail. We must believe that nothing is too big for our God. When you think something is too big, you’re actually withholding Him His rightful glory and honor. 

Our anxieties reveal what we treasure: Matthew 6:25 says, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat [or drink], or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing?” Many people forget what Jesus says in the verses right before. In 19-24 He reminds us that what we have here on earth can’t be taken with us into eternity. Verse 21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” He was teaching us that what we value will become what we prioritize. So if we value worldly things above the Lord, then those worldly aspects will cause us worry and anxiety. We must stay focused on what will last for eternity. 

With these truths, I hope we can start to look inward when we feel fear or worry. We should ask ourselves what the root cause is. Are we idolizing the things of this world more than the one who holds it altogether? Is it because we don’t truly believe that God is good? Is it because we have not surrendered our trust to God? Whatever it is, God can transform that in your spirit. There is a reason that the Bible says “do not fear” or “fear not” 365 times. God knows that fear is a natural emotion. However, when fear is uncontrolled and abused, it destroys our thinking about who God is. It thwarts the beauty of His word and the sincerity of His heart for us. 

May we all learn to cast our anxieties on Him because He cares for us. Lean on each other to uplift and encourage one another to live in that freedom!