Don’t Fear, Have Faith! (October 18, 2023)

 ^“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;  and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

Many of us waste far too much time engaging in the futility of worry! Anxiety does not change our circumstances but can hinder our spiritual growth and fruitfulness as Christians. We all have much to be concerned about, including our families, health, jobs, financial stability, and a host of other matters that weigh heavily on our hearts and minds. We should commit these cares to an omnipotent God, who is far greater than any worrisome problem we might encounter. As Satan seeks to distract, destroy, and defeat us, we can allay our apprehensions by focusing on God’s power rather than our predicament. Mental anguish does nothing to enrich our lives, but can damage our physical and spiritual well-being and degrade our quality of life. Fear, worry, and doubt are incompatible with the faith, hope, and love that the Holy Spirit is cultivating in those of us who have yielded our hearts and committed our lives to Jesus Christ. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7-9)

Worry might be viewed as a form of idolatry if we allow pressing issues to dominate our restless minds and overshadow our faith in a God who is worthy of our trust. In troublesome times, we should recall God’s faithfulness to guide us through past difficulties and surrender nagging fears to Christ, “the author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2) Even in the stormiest seasons of life, comfort can be found by offering God our heartfelt prayers and expressions of praise and gratitude even when He may seem distant and unconcerned. We can be sure, however, that He cares about the tiniest detail of our lives and will neither abandon nor forsake us. Another powerful antidote to worry is to immerse ourselves in acts of love and service, putting the needs of others above our own interests. Always remember that our trust is well placed in Jesus who invites us to lay our worries at the foot of the Cross and experience peace of mind that exceeds human understanding.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6-7)