Anxiety and God's Peace

People get stressed and anxious over all kinds of things. One example is flying in an airplane. Some people view flying as a great adventure, others seem to view it as cruel and unusual punishment at best. Unfortunately, events like the Air France crash of August 2005 in Toronto will not help those people at all. After crashes the anxiety levels are even higher than normal.

The anxious people will see the pictures of the broken plane billowing with flames. They will probably forget that everyone got off with only some minor injuries. The calmer people will think of different things: Some will be thankful the staff is well trained and remember the safety features built into the plane. Christians can go beyond that and thank God for His watchful care.

How we view things in life makes a tremendous difference!

This was personal one Monday; I was in my office at home reflecting on our situation. Specifically I reflected on my situation of being unemployed with a limited severance package. Also of course, the bills will keep coming anyway. Most people do not think that is a wonderful situation to be in and I was starting to think in that direction. The stress started to kick in and anxious thoughts came rolling in.

I was viewing the negative side of things and the verse “Do not be anxious about anything,” {Philippians 4:6a} seemed ridiculous. Then I looked at a little poster I made about 17 years earlier. It reads, “When I said, ‘My foot is slipping,’ your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. … But the LORD has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.” {Psalm 94:18-19, 22} And “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” {Jeremiah 29:11}

I had to admit - it felt like my foot was slipping and the anxiety was there. Then I looked again and started to see my situation with the other point of view. God’s love has supported me many times in the past, even in similar situations. Why should I think He wouldn’t do it this time? When events seemed to overwhelm me, I took refuge in Him and He always took care of me. Again, the thought is “Why not this time?” Of course, the answer is God has not changed, He will this time too. The anxiety started leaving, after all God is watching out for me!

For the anxiety to continue leaving I had to go back to Philippians 4:6 “… but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” As I prayed and talked with God about the whole situation, I continued to think about God and the stress abated more. Also, Terri and I are working hard at finding things to thank God for. Doing that energizes this whole upward trend in our attitude even more than fretting made for more stress.

I will not say that I have this stress / anxiety issue completely licked. Every now and then, it rears up, but when it does, I remember the Psalms and Philippians 4. The wonderful thing is that the more I do this the more the next verse is true, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” {Philippians 4:7}

This peace is so great that even as I strive to obey God in dealing with the present and following up job leads, I am enabled to do so calmly. People often have trouble understanding how Terri and I can be peaceful in a normally very stressful experience like this one. God’s peace is not something to be analyzed, but something to be accepted through faith and obedience.

The great thing is God wants this for all of us. God’s peace is there to fill you and transform everything, even things like getting ready for a plane trip, the drive to work, a meeting with the boss, paying your bills, or whatever.

So, choose to practice Philippians 4:6-7 whenever anxiety creeps up and know Jesus’ gift for you “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” {John 14:27}

Written by Rev. Daniel Baker August 2005



Articles by Rev. Daniel B. Baker :: Webmaster: Joseph I. Baker