When Jesus watched crowds coming to hear the Good News, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). Anxiety, sadness, stress, weariness, and fear. The enemy was closing in on his prey. Collapse was imminent.
This is the natural state of the unbeliever. Satan pursues his kill with unrelenting zeal. There is a growing realization in the mind of his prey that all his energy, speed, and cunning have been expended in vain. The race is coming to an end.
Too often, however, it has been reflective of my own spiritual state. In the life of a sheep, the shepherd makes all the difference. Water, food, and protection all come from his skill, his rod and staff. The life and health of the sheep is in his hands alone. What does it say to the watching world if I appear harassed and helpless? Worse, what does it say about my Shepherd?
Showing posts with label Anxiety. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anxiety. Show all posts
Friday, April 9, 2010
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Fear and Control- "Be Not Afraid"
It occurs to me that Jesus tells his disciples not to be afraid so much because they continually find themselves in situations that are out of their control. A boat in a storm. An approaching figure. A God big enough to silence the chaos with one command. I wonder if Jesus intentionally put them into these situations so that they could learn to trust Him.
What trouble and anxiety occurs in the heart of one who has no stability in Christ! Here a relationship fire arises, there an economic crisis. And it all depends on you to see it through. All your energy, strength and determination are stretched to the breaking to settle those fires. Then, you look up to see the whole world's on fire. Your heart sinks. You have no strength, no resources, no ability to manage the blast. And no one else to rely on.
The follower of Christ need never fear that blast. He has a Friend who loves him, who is incredibly gracious and all-powerful. He will never know that kind of hopelessness and isolation.
However, he will still undergo the trial of faith- learning to trust God in face of the evidence. "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief." It takes discipline to trust. Discipline to wait. Discipline to put the impossible into God's hands and not to flinch. May God give us more courage.
What trouble and anxiety occurs in the heart of one who has no stability in Christ! Here a relationship fire arises, there an economic crisis. And it all depends on you to see it through. All your energy, strength and determination are stretched to the breaking to settle those fires. Then, you look up to see the whole world's on fire. Your heart sinks. You have no strength, no resources, no ability to manage the blast. And no one else to rely on.
The follower of Christ need never fear that blast. He has a Friend who loves him, who is incredibly gracious and all-powerful. He will never know that kind of hopelessness and isolation.
However, he will still undergo the trial of faith- learning to trust God in face of the evidence. "Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief." It takes discipline to trust. Discipline to wait. Discipline to put the impossible into God's hands and not to flinch. May God give us more courage.
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