I’ve struggled with anxiety to varying degrees throughout my life. Once I became a Christian and began reading God’s Word, I realized how many passages addressed the issue of anxiety, telling me not to be anxious.
I understood that I wasn’t supposed to be anxious, but I still was, and where was the how-to section?
Some of us might have confided in our church family only to have been told;
- You’re not trusting God
- “Be anxious for nothing” or quoting other scriptures
- You don’t need medication. God can heal you.
- Pray harder
I honestly thought that something was wrong with me. I must be a “bad Christian.”
Over time I realized that nothing was wrong with me. I was human. God created us with a fight or flight response which tells me that anxiety is part of the human experience.
I want to draw your attention to Luke 22: 42-44. We see Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane. He knows what’s about to go down. This is his prayer;
“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me, yet not my will, but yours be done. An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”
Luke 22:42-44 NIV
Jesus is anxious. He is experiencing human emotions. In the midst of this, we witness his obedience and also get a glimpse of the spiritual tools that are available to help him cope. Those same tools are available to us.
We may never be free from anxiety (not in this lifetime, anyway), but partnering with God gives us the power to battle anxiety.
I think that’s worth repeating,
Partnering with God gives us the power to battle anxiety.
In what ways have you struggled with anxiety?