Did you know that you’re not alone? You’re not the only
one to feel anxious, worry or have fear! We’ve all had times in our lives where
certain circumstances and past events in our lives have caused us to be uneasy,
afraid, and anxious. We’ve all been afraid of
something at some point in our lives. Whether as a child, a youth or as an
adult, we all have had fears. Fears of isolation, exposure, change, loss of freedoms,
etc., we all have at one point in our lives feared something which can cause
anxiety(s). The great news about this is that we serve a God that loves us, wants
to be our guide and will help us to get through these tough situations – Praise
the Lord.
What I love about the Bible is that God continually encourages us through his written word. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Philippians 4:13 – “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (or get through any situation). The Bible has many verses that deal with fears and anxieties in varying situations. Many of God’s great leaders suffered with fears and angst. King David suffered from fear in many times of his life, but he knew that he served a God that could deliver him from ANY situation. Psalm 34:4 encourages us that when we seek God with all our heart, he will deliver us – “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears”. Another great man of God – the Apostle Paul was thrust into many anxious situations, but we can be encouraged through the many writings to the churches throughout Asia Minor. In his letter to the church at Rome, Paul encourages us to trust God in every situation “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” – Romans 8:28.
What I love about the Bible is that God continually encourages us through his written word. One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Philippians 4:13 – “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength” (or get through any situation). The Bible has many verses that deal with fears and anxieties in varying situations. Many of God’s great leaders suffered with fears and angst. King David suffered from fear in many times of his life, but he knew that he served a God that could deliver him from ANY situation. Psalm 34:4 encourages us that when we seek God with all our heart, he will deliver us – “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears”. Another great man of God – the Apostle Paul was thrust into many anxious situations, but we can be encouraged through the many writings to the churches throughout Asia Minor. In his letter to the church at Rome, Paul encourages us to trust God in every situation “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” – Romans 8:28.
As Christians we should never condemn a
fellow brother or sister that may be going through a time of anxiousness. Instead
of judging someone who might be going through a situation and jumping to
conclusions about them, we should simply pray for them. We should continually lift
one another up and pray for them even though we may not know the situation or
problem and offer an unsolicited word of encouragement. Proverbs 12:25 reminds us of this sentiment – “Worry weighs a person down; an
encouraging word cheers a person up!”
Likewise, anyone going through a time of anxiousness
should be encouraged to share their situation with a fellow Christian. Many
times we don’t realize that we may be sitting next to someone who has went
through this same situation, or has had experience dealing with something very similar.
The church should be a safe zone, a place where one can openly share worries,
fears and concerns without fear of retribution. This is a goal that every
church needs to continually strive for! I want to encourage you today to know
that God loves you and wants only the best for you. If you’re feeling
discouraged, anxious or afraid I encourage you to go to the Lord in prayer and
seek him, because I promise you this – You will find him!
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