Anxiety is a human emotion. We can’t help feeling anxious, sometimes unnecessarily, and in so doing we give way to doubts and worry. It’s like meeting three evil witches intent on destroying you: Anxiety, Doubt and Worry.
Like many human emotions, they can get out of control.
We’re anxious about the results of some medical tests we’ve had done. We worry unnecessarily. We fear the worst and doubt whether God loves us.
We worry without cause about our loved ones. Will our children do well in life, especially in these difficult times? We worry when they are a few minutes late returning home.
You know what it’s like … anxiety, worry and doubt take turns at turning your stomach into knots and in time can make you ill.
Why does God allow that?
Why doesn’t He provide us with a switch we can flick and these negative emotions just vanish away. After all, He knows we can’t help these emotions creeping on us unawares and play havoc with our minds. Why can’t He provide a switch to turn them off?
Or …. Maybe He has.
Whenever we look away from God for a moment that’s when we allow anxiety to enter our life and implant the seeds of doubt and worry. Perhaps it’s because at that very instant when we look away from God, the devil is ready to pounce and lead us astray.
He’s very clever the devil, you know. He leads you to believe he doesn’t really exist, but he’s there all right. By your side day by day. Waiting for the appropriate moment to put negative thoughts in your mind. Playing on your fears. Adding a sprinkle of worry. Making you anxious about something or other. And before long, if you are a little weak, you’ll begin to doubt that God even exists, never mind love you.
The remedy is to re-focus on God in the sure knowledge that He will not let us down.
That’s the switch which He has provided to comfort us in our times of difficulties. The certainty that He has conquered evil once and for all. And the knowledge that He will not allow us to perish because He cares for us.
“Look at the birds flying around … your Father in Heaven takes care of them! Aren’t you worth much more than birds?” Matthew 6:26
Lovely, encouraging post Victor. What came into my mind as I read it were two scriptures.- ' Be anxious for nothing' and 'Take every thought captive and bring it into obedience to the Word of God'. God bless you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Brenda. Indeed, your two scripture quotes are appropriate to anxiety. God bless you always.
Delete...or can it be even more complex?
ReplyDeleteIt depends on what you mean, Tom.
DeleteGod bless.
Anxiety plagues me too often. Thanks Victor.
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
I am praying for you, Regine. God bless you, my friend.
DeleteThank you for this. I've rather anxious the past few days. It occurred to me before reading this that I've spent too little time in prayer over what has me worried and anxious.
ReplyDeleteThank you Deacon for visiting me today. I understand, because I too sometimes tend to be anxious and worried. I believe it is the devil's way of derailing us and taking us away from God.
DeleteGod bless you. Please visit us again.
When I find myself feeling anxious I know it's because I'm not turning my life over to God.
ReplyDeleteAmen Kathy. God bless you and yours.
DeleteIf the last year has taught me anything, it's been that lesson of keeping my focus on God. There have been so many things happening that being anxious and worried about them reared their ugly heads too many times, but focusing on God and His promises certainly drove them away. Such a wonderful message today, Victor. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha. It is the devil's main job to distract us and keep our focus away from God. A job he does all too well and all too often. Prayers are the main way to resist him.
DeleteGod bless you and your family.
Those 3 witches have been masquerading as comrades so long, sometimes I fail to recognize their ill-intent. I need to tell them in no uncertain terms, "Get thee behind me!" and focus on Him.
ReplyDeleteAmen Mevely. We should always be on our guard of Satan and his tricks. God bless you and your family.
DeleteThe more you rely and have faith in God, the doubts will lose their power.
ReplyDeleteAmen Bill; my thoughts exactly. God bless.
DeleteLove and kindness always. ❤️
ReplyDeleteGod bless, CM.
DeleteSuch a good post, Victor! In the past 4 years I've had much more experience with anxiety than previously in my life. But in this time I have learned what you are saying here -- it's all about our focus and when we take our eyes off of our loving Lord, that changes our focus and the anxious thoughts are quick to rush in. Thank you for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words, Barbara. Indeed, it is all about focus. Being a Christian is not just a title or a description; it is a way of life focussed daily on God and obedience and love for Him. That's what keeps the devil busy derailing us from that focus.
DeleteGod bless you always, dear friend.
It seems to me that at the moment there is a lot of anxiety, indeed many are being diagnosed with anxiety disorders.
ReplyDeleteThe times we live in, the problems many have to face only exacerbate the problem.
As Tom hinted, it is a complex issue.
All the best Jan
It's true that at present there is a lot of anxiety in the world and many are suffering from such disorders, worries and fears. I believe, primarily, it is because in the world today many have taken away their focus from God. For many, He does not exist in their lives, in their plans or in their beliefs.
DeleteGod bless, Jan.
Great post. So many times when we are anxious it turns out to be nothing at all.
ReplyDeleteAmen K; yet somehow we worry and get anxious. God bless you.
DeleteBeautiful post, especially for the times now. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
DeleteThe switch is prayer. Sometimes it's as simple as invoking the Name of Jesus as a prayer. It centers us back on the one who promised us the peace beyond understanding.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, well said, Mimi. God bless you always.
Delete