Joy in Anxious Times
With the way things are going in 2020 it would not surprise me if Godzilla showed up for Christmas. This year has been one of the most stressful times in recent memory. What seems to make this season especially bad is the uncertainty of the conclusion of the COVID-19 virus and the ensuring collateral damage it is inflicting. Coupled with the current social, economic, and political tensions, this world seems to be a powder keg waiting to explode at any moment.
Mental health experts are telling us that people are not dealing well with the stress. School administrators, teachers, and parents are struggling to find a solution to safely educate children. Local and state governments are fighting to provide a consistent message for their constituents. Many have lost jobs or closed businesses due to the virus. Many pastors are having to become tech gurus overnight.
Let’s be honest, there are many reasons to be anxious and have stress. But is this what God desires for us? To live a worried-filled life, rife with fear and anxiety. Anxiety and worry are born out of fear and the believer in Christ Jesus has more than enough resources at their disposal to avoid living in fear. Fear is the enemy of faith. Fear works to destroy hope. The believer walking in fear is living in a very real prison that traps them from experiencing the blessed treasures of heaven. Fear keeps us from our assurance of the love of God in Christ.
As a believer, God does not want you to live in fear. I want to give you at least three reasons, as a believer, you do not have to live in fear. I want to take it a step farther. Not only do you not have to live in fear, but regardless of the situation life throws at you, you can thrive and have joy in anxious times.
Thankfulness Brings Joy
Writing to the Philippian church Paul gives instructions on how to have joy, regardless of the situation we face. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7). Paul tells the Philippians the answer for fear and worry is thankfulness in prayer. As we come to God in prayer we are overcome, not with a sense of worry, but of peace. Praying reminds us of the bigness of God. The more we pray the more we see God as larger than our problems. The more we pray we learn that God is not simply larger than our problems, he supersedes our problems. When we see God as bigger than anything else, we know that he is able to handle whatever we are going through. Then, we can begin to see past our problems and notice all the blessings God has given us. The grace of God has showered you with more than you can possibly imagine. Take time to write out a list of all the things, past, present, and future that you can praise God for in your life. As you do this, you your worry and fear will fade.
Obedience Brings Joy
This may seem like an odd way to bring joy, but the Bible is replete with examples of how obeying God brings joy to the believer. In Psalm 51 David is repenting of his sin and in his repentance, he makes this plea to the Lord, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you” (Ps. 51:12). David realized that his disobedience brought him sorrow and pain. His disobedience separated him from fellowship with the God who loved him deeply. When we sin, we cannot experience joy in our lives, we cannot have peace because we are doing what is opposite our new nature in Christ. Obedience to God’s word establishes and sustains true and lasting joy in our lives. Examine your life right now. Is there an area of your life where you are willingly disobeying God? Stop and repent. Ask God to restore to you the joy of your salvation and commit to obey the Lord. As you obey the Lord, the joy of pleasing your heavenly Father and of intimate fellowship with him will wash over you and grant you true peace.
Recognizing Your Identity in Christ
One of the things that robs us of joy more often than anything else in life is that we forget our identity. If you are in Christ beloved, you are a blessed child of the king, an heir to the throne of heaven. Your Father in heaven loves you and seeks to bless you with all the spiritual blessings in heaven. Recognizing and remembering our identity in Christ helps us to have a heavenly perspective of our life. When we realize whose we are and who lives in us, we can like Paul proclaim, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28). My brother died on the side of the highway when I was in high school. He ran off the road and his truck hit an embankment. My uncle pulled him from the truck, and we took turns doing CPR on him. As the ambulance loaded him in, I stood on the side of my pickup in shock. In that moment God brought Paul’s words to my heart. I knew I could not understand what just happened, but two things I did know. My brother was a believer and he was in heaven and that God loves me too much to harm me. Knowing I was in Christ and knowing God would only do things for my good and his glory gave me comfort and peace. Knowing you belong to the King provides a whole new perspective for living.
So, if you are anxious today remember to stop and pray. Take time to thank God for his goodness. Examine your life and see if there is a reason to repent. Above all, remember you are a son or daughter of the living God. As his child he seeks your good in Christ and even the trying times in your life are meant to bring you closer to Christ and give you a greater understanding of God. As you try these three simple suggestions, may the peace of God overcome you and may you walk in courage and strength.
God Bless,
Bro. Brad