I admit it: Generally I permit the picture of tension to distract me from answering the nervousness. Perhaps you do too.
Let me clarify. You may suppose that nervousness would devour us and lead us to prayer. The burden is deep, so we pray. Anxiousness is palpable, so we flip to God. Struggling is overwhelming and endless, so we provide it to God in prayer.
You’ll suppose this may be the case, however that isn’t all the time the case. Not less than not for me.
I do know what Jesus taught us about nervousness: “Don’t worry about your life. . . so don’t worry. . . don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will fear about itself.” (Matthew 6:25-34). Paul, too, echoed the identical phrases in his letter to the Philippians: “don’t be concerned about something” (Phil 4:6).
I learn these phrases, and it is arduous to overlook what Jesus and Paul emphasised: “Simply don’t be concerned.” In actual fact, I am unable to assist however conclude that my nervousness is nothing lower than a scarcity of belief in God’s sovereign hand. Anxiousness grips my coronary heart with anger and robs me of the remaining I needs to be in Christ.
As I write these final phrases, although, I am reminded that I already know the reply to my worries. Jesus put it this manner in his dialogue of tension: “Search ye first the dominion of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Paul, then, additionally provides directions for coping with nervousness: “In the whole lot, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made recognized to God” (Phil 4:6).
Mainly, asking for a king is the remedy for my worries. Temporal “stuff” is commonly a supply of tension for me, however the Everlasting King reigns over all issues – together with the issues that bother me. I can, and should, search Him by taking my petitions to Him Even when that prayer sounds remarkably just like the struggling religion of the daddy of a demon-possessed son in Mark 9—“Lord, I imagine. assist my unbelief” (9:24)-I have to flip to Him with gratitude. I can belief him who is aware of my wants earlier than I ask him (Matt 6:8).
The method is easy, it appears.
Search God. Pray for the whole lot. Don’t be concerned about something.
Nonetheless, that course of will get difficult while you do what I usually do: attempt to attain the following purpose with out intentionally taking the primary two steps to get there. Right here is the best way that typically occurs for me.
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- Fear eats at my coronary heart.
- I get discouraged not solely as a result of the nervousness stays, however as a result of God nonetheless hasn’t taken it away from me.
- I do know higher, however the pits of fear can distract me from myself and away from God.
- Looking for God in prayer—the remedy for nervousness—will get little consideration, and what I confess within the first sentence of this publish comes true: I permit the idol of fear to distract me from the reply to fret. Discovering my very own resolution at first will get in the best way of my God’s will.
Perhaps you perceive. If that’s the case, I imagine this isn’t the top of the story for any of us. I’m 50 nowm Years on as a believer, I am nonetheless studying to show prayerfully, within the phrases of Paul Miller, from worrisome about issues I see For God to work by means of these items.[1] I’ve plenty of room to develop, however will you pray for me to continue learning?
I simply mentioned a prayer, too, for any Church Reply readers who share my struggles. God bless you!
[1] Paul E. Miller, A Prayer Life: Connecting with God in a Complicated World (Web page 60). Navigator Kindle Version.
Posted on November 4, 2024
Dr. Chuck Lawless is a number one professional in religious counseling, discipleship and mentoring. As a former pastor, he understands the presentation challenges of ministry and works with Church Solutions to advise and counsel church leaders.
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