Anxiety
“Be anxious for nothing.” (Philippians 4:6) Anxiety is part of life. The New Testament does not condemn the anxious but provides a checklist to prevent it from taking control. In this context (3:20 – 4:18), Paul’s antidotes are remembering the future spiritual body, rejoicing in the successes of faith, remembering the evidence, asking for help with thanks, and focusing on the good stuff. Anxiety in the US may be minuscule compared to that of the Third World but can be just as debilitating. Use all the tools to overcome.
“But I want you to be without anxiety…” (1 Corinthians 7:32 – 34) Paul reminded the Christians of Corinth of the obvious, that marriage unavoidably causes stress. When we commit to another person, our loyalties are necessarily divided between the things of God and the welfare of another. In Paul’s day, the problem was particularly acute due to persecution and the fast-approaching cataclysmic destruction of Jerusalem. His point still applies. Enter advisedly, eyes open, well prepared for the anxieties inherent in loving people.
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41) Understandably, Martha was anxious about her hostess responsibilities. Her sister Mary had chosen to listen to what Jesus was teaching, letting service slide. Of course, good planning and preparation reduces the opportunity for stress and increases success. But we need to be flexible. Sometimes, we just need to grasp opportunity and not be stressed about the plan.
“Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.” (Luke 8:14) In the Parable of the Sower, Jesus characterized the dominant lifestyle in the US today: anxiety, wealth, and comfort. Anxiety is a part of every life; wealth in itself is not evil; comfort is a normal goal. The trick is to be able to control them before they control us. The New Testament tells us how and promises the faithful help in doing so.
“But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and the anxieties of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly.” (Luke 21:34) Jesus grouped disparate problems to make two points. Anxiety has a lot in common with typical social excesses. And, social excesses as escape mechanisms from worry are equally ineffective. Instead, turn to the simple and masterfully illustrated teachings of Jesus, not complex theologies that only compound the problem, so that you may stand ready and confident.
“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” The context extends from Matthew 7:25 – 34, and also Luke 12:22 – 59. How do we reconcile this with the American ethic of planning? Many cultures have given up on planning because their lives are so unpredictable. The key to having both planning and peace is to seek to have the character of God through the work of the indwelling Spirit, be flexible, and trust God. When things change, just make a new plan and trust God.
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