Date:
October 12, 2020The Anxieties of Life
You can’t escape the trials of life, but you can choose how you react to them. When you choose to give your worries to God, you stop allowing life to intimidate you.
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Anxiety
When the things we fear continue into a more general, sustained, long-term uneasy state of mind it becomes anxiety. Anxiety is distracting care. While there are legitimate daily concerns about things like health, safety, and relationships, anxiety is a state of mind where our thoughts are continually pulled to dwell on circumstances.
Behind anxiety is the basic assumption that God isn't involved in our situation for our good. Looking at things from that perspective, our nature is to think and respond to things apart from God in the picture.
The Lord tells us not to be anxious. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:6-9 NIV).
You and Your Conscience
The Apostle John addressed the struggle of our conscience. He offered all of us some advice that is not only helpful, it is inspired by God.
Resolution or Prediction
Resolutions are what we determine will happen, based on convictions, personal disciplines, strong purpose, clear vision, or a sense of mission. Predictions are things we anticipate might happen. These are based on assumptions, opinions, trends, or feelings. When you think about it, predictions and worry have a lot in common...they both forecast the future based on assumptions or feelings. They waste your energy and rob you of the joy of living today.
Supernatural Peace
When you worry, it’s like you’re carrying around a heavy burden. You’re weighed down with anxiety and you can’t think clearly. Wouldn’t it be so much easier to give your burdens and worries over to God? He says He’ll take it and will give you peace in return. That’s a pretty good exchange.
Stressed Out
You know what causes stress? Anxiety. Do you know how to rid your life of anxiety? Rest. Resting in Christ is the quickest way to rid your life of harmful stress. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
Relax
If you want to relax and get rid of anxiety, you need to lighten up. Are you typically harsh or critical? Try cultivating a more gentle and understanding approach to life. “Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.”
In the Valley of Shadows
We don’t like to think about death, but the Bible says believers have nothing to fear—we have a Shepherd, Jesus, who will walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death when the time comes.
Rest Instead of Anxiety
If you’d like freedom from stress and anxiety, learn how to rest. Take time to slow down. You can find peace in spite of panic.
Stop Worrying and Start Trusting
The word “addiction” typically makes us think of alcohol, cigarettes, or illegal drugs. But in this message, Chuck Swindoll will describe another kind of addiction…that’s far more subtle, yet just as enslaving. In fact, you might be an addict and not even know it!
The End of the Road
Eternity isn’t something we like to think about, but each of us will certainly enter it one day. The question is...where will we spend it?
