The Anxious Christian

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭

I have been battling anxiety HARD this year. I had such high hopes for 2023. Very little has gone as expected. 

On the days when it’s at its worst, it feels like no matter how often - or how hard - I pray, no matter how many devotions I read, no matter how much time I spend in God’s Word, I still end up defeated. I have cried more this year than I did in the six months from fall 2021 to spring 2022 when so many loved ones died so close together. I have begged God to take this cup from me…if it is His will. 

I’m determined that no matter how beat down I get, I am submitting to Him. This year, this season, the rest of this life I’m living on this earth. It’s all His. It’s His time, His plan, His purpose. I’m trying to find the joy in the struggle. Some days I succeed, others not so much. 

As I read the pictured excerpt from day 5 today of the Anxious for Nothing plan by Max Lucado, I had such a great sense of relief. I have definitely had days where I felt like I was failing as a Christian because of my struggles with anxiety and depression the past five months.   How can I be a good Christian, one who has Victory in Christ, if I am defeated by my daily storms? 

Friends, we do have the victory in Christ, it is our ultimate hope for the future. It’s the light at the end of our tunnel, it’s the shelter from every storm, it’s the joy we cling to when we lay loved ones to rest. The promise of salvation, of eternal life does not preclude us from the suffering of this earth. Please read that again. We live in a sin broken world. The harder we cling to the hem of Christ’s garment, the more the evil one will throw at us. He knows we have been bought by the Blood of Jesus…he wants to make us forget our baptismal birthright of eternal life with God in heaven. 

What I am taking away this morning, and what I hope you will too, is this: our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ felt anxious in that Garden before His torture and death. Anxiety does not mean we have done anything wrong!! However, we have to actively seek God, even in our dark, anxious moments, so that we do not dwell in our anxious thoughts. If we dwell there, they turn to fear. And in Second Timothy, Chapter One, Verse Seven, God reminds us that He has not given us a spirit of fear! 

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”

‭‭II Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭4‬-‭6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

We are in a daily spiritual battle for our souls. Do not let the devil trick you into thinking you have been defeated. Christ’s power is magnified in our weaknesses. Draw closer to God, He’s always near. Walk into His outstretched arms, and dwell in the peace He is offering you. And when you have an anxious day, week, season remember that it doesn’t mean you have been defeated. Jesus has already won, and in the final days - whenever they might be - He will win the final battle as well. The war is not over, but the outcome has already been determined. 

My prayers for you are that you will be filled with God’s peace. And when His peace feels far, you will remember even Jesus felt anxious - tomorrow is a new day. Set your mind on Him and be amazed at how He will fill your heart. ❤️‍🩹🙏🏼❤️