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In the past year and a half there has been plenty to worry or have anxiety about. Coronavirus, lockdowns, loss of jobs, the effects of restrictions on everyone, what the “new normal” will be, what anything about the future will be, and the list goes on.
The truth is, there has always been many things to worry about. And, the truth is, there always will be. Some take it to extremes and allow their worry and anxiety to consume them, and others take the Alfred E. Neuman (of Mad Magazine fame) approach and live in the tortoise shell of “What, me worry?”. Neither of those two extremes are healthy, either emotionally or spiritually.
Many of us worry and have anxiety but we try keep it well masked (at least we think we do) because somehow we think that to “own it” and be real about it marks us as less than the Christian we want to be thought of. The truth is, that masking doesn’t hide it from the One that matters most–God. The truth is, that masking can, and does, interfere with one thing we can (and should) do as we live our witness for others to see.
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time, 7 casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].
1 PETER 5:7-7
Yes, I worry and have anxieties about many things that weigh heavily on my heart. I am concerned about casual and non-Christians, the moral fiber of the country, spiritual warfare and the persecution of Christians (here and abroad), those members of my family who aren’t believers, what the world will be like when my grandchildren grow up, and the list goes on. All of those things, and the other things I worry and am anxious about are much, much bigger than me, and much more complex and broad in scope than anything I could personally change.
The one single thing I actually need to worry about is to pay attention to the second and third word in Peter’s admonition: humble myself so that I can bring those worries to the Lord and not try to do his job.
I read a wonderful post written by a friend of mine (a persecuted Christian) this morning that triggered this post and freed me to share some things about myself. I think you may enjoy reading his efforts. It follows, and thank you.
Do Life Better Ministry 