Four leaves in a cloverLightning before thunder
The brightness of a daffodil
Or a porcupine’s quills
Not left to chance but designed and orchestrated
Dead ends and fiery trials are but
Brushstrokes by the hand of the Master Artist
When you are tossed to and fro by storms
There is a reason and a perfect purpose
It is all by design
And nothing is left to chance
When He is done, you will come forth like gold
I’m a worrywart by nature and I also like things planned and organised. Living in an uncertain world as we do, you can see how these personality traits can make life…interesting.
But.
Since I’m saved and have given my life over to Christ, why do I still get anxious and worried? If I know God is in control, why am I bothered by things outside of my control?
The bible says ‘we live by faith and not by sight’ (2 Corinthians 5:7) meaning the things we see shouldn’t sway us because we have faith in God and in His power. I know all that and I truly believe it but I still can’t switch off that part of my brain that panics and worries when I face something bigger than me that is out of my control.
So, I googled the definition for “Anxiety” and the internet had this to say – “a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something with an uncertain outcome“. It’s the uncertainty that sends me into a quiet panic or flustered activity.
Whenever I’m faced with an anxiety-inducing challenge, the kind that surpasses my limited powers and threatens to drown me, I do what every good Christian does – I pray. I have faith that God has heard me (Isaiah 65:24). And yet, my palms remain sweaty and my brain just can’t help turning the problem over and over, worrying away at it.
Then one day, I realised that by doing this, I’ve picked up the problem from the foot of the Cross and thrown away the peace that can only come from centering my mind on Jesus in the midst of a storm.
So, in a bid to regain control of the situation and get back my peace, after I’ve prayed and I’m at that crucial waiting-on-God stage, I usually take stock and consider possible answers from heaven. It’s my way of preparing myself so that the unknown is not so daunting. Obviously the only answer I want is a resounding “yes” to my requests but I also know that we don’t always get what we want. What if God’s answer is “no” or silence or what if he answers but it’s not what I want? The list goes on and each option does nothing to calm the spiralling of my anxious thoughts and worries.
Until I had the lightbulb moment that – even in any of my worst case scenarios, it is ALL working for my good. God has promised that “all things work together for good for those that love God and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Not some things or only the good things. ALL things.
The immediate outcome or situation may not be what I want and often we as his children, are too nearsighted to see God’s mighty hand at work, but we have a Father that doesn’t “see how we see” (1 Samuel 16:7) who also “knows the end from the beginning” (Isaiah 46:10).
These are the promises I remind myself and dwell on when anxiety threatens to raise its head. I tell myself that whatever it is that I may be going through at the time is not a surprise to God, He unlike me already knew that thing/disappointment/stressful situation/insert appropriate scenario was going to happen and He’s already sorted it. I just have to hold on.
Matthew 6:25-34 is a scripture that I’ve known and recited for years so I know that it was God’s way of comforting and teaching us not to worry about anything. But one day, I happened to glance at the heading for that section of the bible and it struck me speechless for a few minutes. In the amplified version which is my favourite Bible version to read, Matthew 6:25-34 is titled “the cure for anxiety”. Wow. Mic drop.
Such is the gravity of this terrible human affliction that Jesus left us a cure for it before He went to the cross. And it is simply this: God knows and is in control. He knows what we need and will supply. If He can do so for birds and mere plants, how much more us, His children that He gave His only son to die for? It was so important to Him that we live and enjoy the abundant life that He bought for us with His precious blood that He wanted to reassure us that no matter what it is that we may face at any point in time, He has sorted it.
The analogy that springs to my mind is that of young children. I don’t know how many times my children have asked for something that seems harmless and not a big deal (staying up late on a school night is a good example) but I’ve had to say “no”. Not because I don’t love them and don’t want them to have any fun but actually because I do love them and want the best for them (I know if they don’t stick to bedtime, getting up the next morning will be a struggle and they’ll be tired throughout the school day).
This is how God is with us – we are His children and our perspective is very much limited, whereas He’s working in love and with eternity in mind.
Promises in Scripture
Today you can stare your worries, concerns and anxieties boldy in the face fully assured that, “if God be for you who can be against you?” (Romans 8:31). As you ponder that rhetorical question, dwell on His promises that “your name is written on the palm of his hands and your walls are ever before him” (Isaiah 49:16). Let it sink into your mind, body and soul that your Father in heaven desires to “give you good and advantageous gifts” (Matthew 7:11), even if His answer to a pressing need is not what you want, He knows what you need and He’s got you covered and protected (Psalm 91:4).
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(Image credit: Tonik from Unsplash)
Even the worst-case scenario is working for our good. #God knows and better still, He's in control. Share on X
Wemi,
I’ve lived with an anxiety disorder all my life. When I feel the anxiety rise, tsunami-like, from my toes, I take my anxious thoughts and see if they line up with scripture. If they don’t align with God’s promises then I know I need to kick them, and the enemy, to the curb!
Blessings,
Bev xx
I like that idea of using scripture as the yardstick! 🙂 x
I needed this post today, Wemi! I’ve got a particular situation where the “no” from God could be very disappointing, if not devastating. But God has my best in mind, even in the “no!” Great reminder, my friend!
Beth, I pray that He helps you keep your mind stayed on Him and therefore in perfect peace as He leads you through that situation. I’m glad this post helped x
These are amazing promises! Worry and anxiety are ongoing struggles for me too and it is so important to remember that God is in charge of things and working for our good.
Romans 8:28 has been tugging at me lately. I’ve had to break the habit of anxiety – which was learned from my mom and her mom. I learned it’s a call to prayer – and it’s about trusting. I’ve had to learn to stop giving to God and taking the problem back – maybe one day I will stop trying to take the problem back I give Him! You hit so many things of this journey to change behavior patterns in my life – to find the peace in the wait of a prayer sent out. I’m a work in progress making progress one day at a time! Thanks for sharing the challenge – because it is a challenge to change ingrained ways of behavior!
One day at a time is enough – I find that God is walking with me in that way too with regards to worrying. Thankful that He helps us in our frailties.
Matthew 6:25-34 Is definitely a cure for anxiety as well as Philippians 4:8. It matters where we center our thoughts!
Wemi, like you, sometimes worries loop in my mind. I must turn to those Scriptures that point me back to the Giver of Peace. Your perspective that, no matter what God allows/doesn’t allow in my life is good for me, is spot-on. It sometimes takes time to accept this truth, but when we remember that whatever God allows into our lives is filtered through His love for us, this can help us to come to a place of acceptance sooner. Great post!
Wemi, when I was a child my siblings called me Worry Busby, if that gives you any indication of how much I can relate to what you’ve written here! Certain hard seasons have lessened worry’s grip on me, but those situations with uncertain outcomes do a number on me too! God is really working on me about that this year, and the passage you mentioned from Matthew 6 has been a big part of it. Such a blessing to read this today!
Wemi, good morning! So glad to meet you today. I have had several extended periods of anxiety in my life, and this year has been one of them for many reasons.
For sure, you can be a deep follower of Christ and do all the right things, but I’ve learned the hard way that this is often a physical problem that requires meds in addition to some basic life changes.
Your post is so powerful and important as so many of our sisters are suffering. Thank you for going there.
Bless you!
I’m glad this post blessed you Linda. Yes, sometimes meds are needed – thankful to God for the wonders of science and medicine!
As someone who also deals with worry and anxiety at times, this was so helpful! I love the ideas you shared; it reminds me of something I’d forgotten about when facing intense worry about a situation—to think about what the worst is that could happen, then the best outcome, and then something in between. Usually it helps me see that the worst is really not probable, and I remind myself that regardless, God is faithful to use it for good and for His glory. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve found considering possible outcomes helps lessen the fear/worry of the unknown and then remembering that ultimately God’s in control! Thanks for reading and commenting:)
So grateful that we can trust that ALL things will work together for good, even when we don’t see it at all. Faith is walking ahead even when it’s dark.
Sometimes it seems pitch black, doesn’t it? But even then we trust that He’s holding our hand and leading us through.