#NUTSHELL – May 12th — WHO ME, NERVOUS? – Matthew 6:25-34: Paul certainly had plenty of reason to feel anxious. Sitting in a Roman prison he didn’t know if he would be released or put to death. Writing to the believers in Philippi however, he urged them “Be anxious for nothing.” Our anxiety and worry are close companions and they do their best to immobilize believers. We are fretting about the future, events that haven’t happened but could happen; and some of us are even experiencing physical problems. Anxiety makes people fearful and distressed. So what can Christ followers do about it? Paul gives the answer, “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God.” When you give that inner turmoil to God, He replaces it with His peace that “surpasses all understanding.” God’s peace is beyond comprehension because it makes no sense – the circumstances seem to require anxiety but instead we feel God’s peace. When we feel anxiety rising, we should turn to God in prayer He will give us the peace He promised. Jesus’ words, “Take no thought for your life” refers to anxious thoughts for your life. In the Sermon on the Mount He calls attention to the destructiveness of anxiety about the future (Matthew 6:25-34). His teaching is startlingly clear; it’s futile, pointless and unable to help solve the problem of worrying. Unless fear and anxiety are honestly faced and worked through we will structure our lives to avoid living in spite of circumstances rather than because of circumstances. So – turn to God first, focus on solutions not problems (Matthew 14:22, 23). Stop wasting energy on worrying keep your thoughts on God to have peace (Isaiah 26:3). Pray.
Posted on: Mon, 12 May 2014 11:01:07 +0000
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