Fear

God has been dealing with my anxieties a lot lately. I’m not going to get into particulars, but I will say that it is not just one area of my life. In fact, it’s most, if not all areas of my life. It’s almost like a chain reaction. I worry about one thing and it sets off something in my head and heart that begins a cycle of worry.

At the center of my anxiety is pride and unbelief. However, as Paul reminds Timothy, “…if we are faithless, he remains faithful…” (2 Timothy 2.13). God continues to open my eyes to this sin, rebuke me, and offer grace and encouragement.

That grace and encouragement has come recently in some things I have been reading. The first is a chapter of a book that a friend sent me awhile back. The book is called Scripture Opens Blind Eyes, and though I’ve only read the “Don’t Worry” chapter, I’m sure the rest of the book is also helpful. Here are some quotes that stuck out to me:

- There’s always something to worry about.

- We worry about things that are inherently uncertain.

- You worry because of you, not because of things.

- We lose sight of God because what we want (and worry about) is the only thing we see.

- Central to worry is the illusion that we can control things…Worry assumes the possibility of control over the uncontrollable.

- A worrier is storing “treasure” in the wrong place. If what you most value can be taken away or destroyed, then you set yourself up for anxiety.

- Some things are certain (namely Christ and His love and provision).

- If your life isn’t made by having money, then your life can’t be unmade by the lack of it!

- He (God) will give you what you need to live on if you need him in order to live.

- Anxieties feel endless and infinite – but they’re finite and specific.

- Anxious people “eagerly seek” the gifts more than the Giver.

- Your Father cares about the things you worry about.

- In the darkest hole, when life is toughest, there’s always some way to give yourself away.

I also listened to the following clip from a message by Mark Driscoll. The blog post basically says what he says in the video clip.

http://blog.marshillchurch.org/2010/11/21/7-truths-about-fear/

I hope some of this is helpful or encouraging to you. Finally, I’ll leave you with this promise:

“Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5.17

God is God and I am Not

Maybe you already know that.  Hopefully you know that.  I know that.  Do I believe it?  Sadly, if you look at my life, you would probably say that I don’t believe that. 

Why?

Because I worry.  I worry about the future – about things that will happen; about things I will do; about the way I will respond to circumstances.  I worry about decisions I have already made.  I worry for days, weeks, even months and years…about things that are over and done; things that cannot be changed.  

I cannot change the past.  I cannot control the future.  Yesterday is done and I have zero ability to affect tomorrow today.  And yet I worry.

Lately, I have been consumed with worry about starting my new job.  Consumed may seem like a strong word, but in this situation, it may not be strong enough.  Just ask my roommate. 

I have spent hours studying and reviewing material, trying to prepare myself for anything that might happen.  I study numbers, procedures, injuries, indications, contraindications, past results, etc.  I constantly have information and scenarios running though my head.  Right now, in fact, I have several different things regarding my job running through my head.

I have neglected Bible study and prayer to study.  I hate to even type that, but it’s true.  That used to be a habit of mine in college, but, thankfully, I haven’t done that in several years…until now.

I am anxious all the time, especially at work (which, by the way, has been nothing but orientation up to this point).  I worry about making a mistake.  I worry about screwing up.  I worry about what other people think of me.  I worry about doing harm not good.  I worry that I’m going to fail.

Now, I do believe that an arrogant confidence is harmful.  In dealing with injuries and potential emergency situations, it is good to be aware of the gravity of the situation and prepare for the worst.  Agonizing and worrying constantly, however, is not preparation.  In fact, it may even have a negative impact on preparation.

And, yet, I worry.

So this morning, God graciously gave me yet another reminder of how proud and untrusting my behavior is.  He allowed me to listen to a podcast about control.  Here were the main points:

-       God’s hands are not tied.  They never have been.  They never will be.

-       It is not up to me to control outcomes, but to be a good steward of what God has given me.

-       God is in control and I am not.

So, does this mean I quit studying and preparing altogether?  No.  Does this mean that I have no responsibility in any of this?  No.  It means that God gave me certain abilities and expects me to be a good steward with them.  Being a good steward means doing everything I do as unto the Lord – preparation and execution.

I still must prepare.  I still must equip myself as best I can.  I still must cultivate my abilities.  However, this constant anxiety has to stop.  God deserves more respect than that.

God is God and I am not.