10/02/2021
In today’s modern world we are confronted by change on every side, and the pace of that change can seem overwhelming at times, yet the real challenge isn’t recognizing the individual changes, or reacting quickly to today’s problems, the greatest difficulty for us is in coping with the anxiety and worry that comes along with them. We know that scripture tells us not to worry, and to find peace in Christ, and yet despite this promise, we often can’t seem to escape these feelings. The tightness in our chest remains, the hopelessness courses through us, and the fear causes us to feel massive releases of adrenaline; all of which work together over an extended time to harm us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. So how do we overcome these difficulties, and find the promised calm and peace again?
“And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
Matthew 6:27 ESV
The first step in combating the effects of change, and tribulation, in our lives is to realize that we are experiencing them. How often do you hear someone who is obvious suffering say “I am alright!” when everyone who looks at them can easily see that they are not? Denying our need for help prevents Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit from taking our hand, easing our torment, and filling us with peace. Our life can’t change until we acknowledge that it needs to. Listen to what Jesus says about giving our burden to Him. There are a few things that we must do before we receive the full rest He promises… we must come, take, learn, and find.
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.””
Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
To receive help when we are suffering from the effects of change and endless trials, we need to follow these same instructions. We need to realize we need help and come to Jesus for it, we must then take the help he offers by humbly reaching out to Him, learn how to apply what Jesus has told us to do in our lives, and finally we will find the promise.
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 ESV
Sometimes we try to heal ourselves without coming to Jesus, or asking God for help, sometimes we come to them, but refuse to take what they are offering. We resist their offers for a multitude of reasons, like a lack of trust, or perhaps fear, and we lose our resolve at various stages, such as those times when we come, we take, but we don’t learn, and in this way we never find the promise we seek. Then there are those occasions when we begin to feel better so we don’t continue to do what they have instructed us to do, and we either take the responsibility for our healing back into our own hands, or we modify what we have been told to do. Do these things sound familiar? Do we come, do we take, do we learn, and do we find? If we do these things then we are comforted and experience the fullness of the rest and peace we are promised, but if we turn away, or otherwise fall down, while taking any of these steps then we don’t receive the promise, or it’s fullness, and the ill effects of anxiety, stress, and worry continue to destroy our health, right along with our faith.
I like the story that Jesus told us about the rich young ruler because this man knew what he wanted to receive (eternal life), he came to Jesus, he asked him what he needed to do, but he couldn’t bring himself to take it. Read this story again and pay attention to the steps we have learned…
“And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
Matthew 19:16, 21-22 ESV
In this story, the rich young man realized what he needed, came seeking it, but couldn’t bring himself to take it, so he never learned, nor did he find what he was searching for, and as a result sorrow followed. He valued the things of the world more than those that were divine, eternal, and heavenly things which contained the promise. In today’s world of constant rapid change where stress, anxiety, worry, or depression, can rob us of our peace, rest, and joy, do we know enough to realize we need help, do we seek that help by coming to Jesus, do we receive the assistance we need from him, learn how to obtain and sustain the promise, and then find the comfort we are seeking? If we overcome the effects of change and hardship in this way, then the damage to our hearts, minds, and souls, that stress, anxiety, worry, depression, or the other ill effects can have on us, will not only be diminished but be totally healed. The question becomes this… can we follow these steps by believing, having faith, and trusting in God and Jesus Christ to deliver on their promises? If we can do this then the effects of change will not damage us, the worry over the state of our world will no longer tie our stomachs into knots, and the anxiety we feel, that causes our blood pressure to skyrocket, will go away. In this way, our promised rest, peace, and joy will return.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your promises that are meant to help us, heal us, and bring us the comfort we find in you, Jesus, and your Holy Spirit. Thank you for the simple steps that Jesus has told us to follow so that we can find your promises and experience them in full. Thank you for relieving our anxiety, worry, and depression so that their prolonged effects will not damage us. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is with us always, fulfilling every promise, and waiting on us to call out for help in prayer. Praised be your name Lord for every promise, every answer, and every protection that your Word extends to us. Merciful are you oh Lord, for by hearing our prayers, you come to answer our cries, and by answering our cries you uphold your promises, and by upholding your promises you bring us rest and peace, and by bringing us rest and peace you insure the health of your temple, our bodies, minds, and souls. We worship you by day, and call out to you in the night that in the darkness of this world your light will always find us, and shine upon us forever. Wash us clean in the blood of Jesus, and lead us into your presence through Him. Help us to find your every promise by realizing through Christ our need for you, coming to you in fervent prayer, taking your Word into our hearts, learning from your Holy Spirit, and finding your eternal peace, rest, and joy in your house forevermore.
Rich Forbes