Ways to be free from anxiety

“What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.” (1 Corinthians 8:29-31)

This Scripture passage might seem at first glance to be perplexing if we are not striving to be simple in our lives and spiritual journeys. In what way is the apostle calling us to make our lives humble? The answer that the apostle offers seems to be that we can find the simplicity of the Lord by lightening our burdens, by relying more steadily and regularly upon the Spirit of God, by walking in accordance with the message of our teachers as they offer God’s word. So many times in my life I have backslidden in my spiritual journey because I thought I knew more about how to walk in faith than the apostle. So often also I have made myself busy for the sake of God’s kingdom and instead have neglected the much greater gifts that come from resting in the simplicity of the cross.

“Do not be anxious” – the point is to cast our cares upon the One who cares for us, and to rely upon His desire for our welfare. Christ so often in the gospels places right relationship first, and only after that does He think that we ought to attend to more mundane needs.

Many of us – myself included – sometimes do not want to be where God has put us, and struggle in ways that undermine our calling to find another sphere that we think will be a more profitable place to do kingdom work. But in struggling against our circumstances we sometimes fail to be rooted in the way that God wants us to be. Christ says in the gospels that when we obey God in a faithful and simple manner where He has placed us, then we can rest in the confidence that He will look after our other needs. Do we believe Christ’s promises for our lives? Whether we do or not is evidenced by our willingness to be faithful in the here and now, in the simple things, in the life that God has given us – and not to go chasing after uncertainties. How often do we worry about the future when we ought to be concentrating on being faithful in our immediate surroundings! To be set apart for God is a high calling, and one that requires from us many years of diligence. Are you setting yourself apart every day to rest in the Lord and to do the work He has called you to do?

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)