We all stress and worry about things. At some point in our lives, we have all been excited about something that was going to happen or something we were getting.Anxiety, as defined in Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2004 Microsoft Corporation, is defined two ways:
1. Feeling nervous: worried or afraid, especially about something that is going to happen or might happen
2. Eager: wanting very much, or in a desperate or nervous way, to do or receive something.
Being worried about something uses energy God wants us to use elsewhere. He knows we naturally worry, it’s in our nature to fear the unknown but God wants us to trust Him so completely that we don’t stress and worry about the little things.
Philippians 4:6-7 ~ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Why doesn’t God want us to worry?
Proverbs 12:25 ~ An anxious heart weighs a man’s heart down, but a kind word cheers him up.
God doesn’t want us to get depressed and worry causes depression. He tells us to cast our worries on Him. He warns us to be alert and watchful that we don’t fall prey to worry.
1 Peter 5:7-8 ~ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Is there ever a good time to be anxious? I think it’s o.k. to be excited about somethings. It crosses a line when your anxiety becomes consuming. Being anxious (excited) about Jesus returning is great! Being anxious (excited) about sharing God with everyone we know and even those we don’t know is great.
Isaiah 26:3-4 ~ You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever for the Lord, the Lord, is the Rock eternal.
So if you must be anxious, be anxious, excited, about Jesus and serving the Lord. When you feel the nervous anxiety coming on, replace it with the excited anxiety of serving God.
Tags: Anxiety, Bible Study, Christianity, God, Jesus, Religion and Spirituality
