This is the final section from the Sam Storms article I just posted. Worth a separate post. So, what does the Bible recommend in the place of anxiety and worry? (1) Know well the previous eight points! (2) Become preoccupied with kingdom-seeking! Evangelization, service to others, ministry to the people of God, deeds of mercy to those most in need, meditation and memorization of Scripture. Stay busy in the service of Christ! (3) Redirect the focus of your life and your thoughts from tomorrow to today. This is the point of Jesus in v. 34. You can handle today’s problems because they are already here. There is enough to deal with right now, so don’t complicate matters by obsessing with what tomorrow or next month might bring. (4) Fight anxiety with the promises of God! Fight worry with a massive counter-attack of truth! I was greatly helped in the following by comments from John Piper. He reminds us all that: If you worry about what people might do or say about you, remember Romans 8:31 – “If God is for us, who can be against us?” If you worry about being too weak, remember 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” If you worry about future decisions, remember Psalm 32:8 – “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” If you worry about God failing to fulfill his promises to you, remember Hebrews 6:18 – “It is impossible for God to lie.” If you worry about the needs of loved ones and family members, remember Matthew 7:11 – “how much more will the Father give what is good to those who ask.” If you worry about lingering sickness, remember Psalm 103:3 – “He heals all your diseases.” If you worry about getting old, remember Isaiah 46:4 – “even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.” If you worry about failing and falling in your Christian walk, remember Phil. 1:6 – “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” If you worry about God’s presence and his purpose in your life, remember Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God, I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you, with My victorious right hand.” (5) Pray! Phil. 4:4-7. This is not a promise that problems will vanish. It is a promise that God will enable you to face them without destructive and debilitating anxiety. Jesus never said that we aren’t to worry because the problems aren’t real or will magically disappear in the presence of faith. (6) Remind yourself often of the steadfast faithfulness of God. Lamentations 3:19-26 . . . (7) Relinquish! Yield control and concern to God, for he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). “When I am afraid,
Posted on: Fri, 07 Jun 2013 10:35:05 +0000
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