My friend showed me a paper that had spoken to him a few years ago. The topic was about four different types of mental strain. They were:
1. A sense of inadequacy
2. A sense of anxiety
3. A sense of fear
4. Comparison with others
I have struggled with all of these at some point or other. But, recently I have been wrestling with a sense of anxiety. I try to control everything and play out every situation in my head so that I am totally prepared for every circumstance that could possibly happen.
It’s exhausting.
The result is that I can’t stay in the moment and enjoy what I am doing because my mind is always ten minutes in the future. I am constantly thinking about what I will do next. Even if what I am currently doing is something I would consider enjoyable, I am unconsciously thinking about the future.
The phrase “be anxious for nothing” sometimes pisses me off. I tend to view it as an unreachable standard. Like, if I am anxious then I am doing something wrong, but I don’t know what part of what I am doing is wrong…so then I get more anxious.
I often feel this looming cloud of pressure. It feels like if I don’t do everything exactly right, then things won’t work out. Naturally, I worry. The “What if?” questions start rolling and all of a sudden I find myself in hypothetical scenario 33 before I snap back.
What should I do?
I should read the rest of that verse.
Be anxious for nothing…but in everything, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which surpasses understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
“In everything.” Every moment I have a choice to make. I can choose to look inward at my limited resources to control my uncontrollable circumstances. Or, I can magnify the One who is able and willing to help. It almost feels like I view the world through “control glasses.” It’s not until I remove them that I see that I am free.
“Through prayer and petition.” Prayer is drawing myself near to God and bringing His great power into contact with my great weakness. Petition is asking God to do something. The author says come and see how BIG God is in comparison to your problems. And your problems may even be significant. But can they compare? I don’t care how tall the best 5th grade basketball player is in the world. He won’t beat LeBron James. Your problems are not going to intimidate God. They are laughably small to Him, yet He deals with us with the utmost compassion and tenderness.
He knows what we are made of. He knows we are but dust.
“With thanksgiving.” My anxieties tend to dominate my mind to the point that I don’t slow down and thank God. Maybe I do thank God, but my gratitude is sparse and scattered in between my laundry lists of issues. I need to slow down, ask God to calm my mind and remember how good He has been to me and will be based in what He has promised. Sometimes, our worries dissipate in comparison of God’s goodness.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace
“The peace of God will guard your hearts and minds.” I constantly strive for peace of mind. The next thing I buy will certainly bring it. Or the next Chipotle burrito I absolutely crush will eternally satisfy me. Maybe a relationship. That’ll do it. Those are good things. But they can’t bring lasting peace. Only an encounter with the Eternal can bring that. Only in the light of his glory can I find rest from my futile attempts to control. It is as I draw near in awe of his greatness that my problems seem less and less damning.
“In Christ Jesus.” Peace is when I realize that everything is cared for. That is found only in Christ. He spoke the world into existence. He formed me with His hands. He knows my life and every possible thing that could happen. That is his to figure out, not mine. My role is to come to Him and be held.
This is the path to peace when I feel anxious. God help me walk this path and come back when I stray.
Free to be Funk 