Anxiety

Anxiety is the experience of worry and concern. It is undoubtedly normal that all human beings at times do get possessed by that feeling appropriately and inappropriately. Let us look at the positive and negative side and the cure for anxiety.

Appropriate concern

For family members, eg Luke 2:41-48.

Joseph and Mary had a great concern for Jesus having stayed behind after attending the feast of Passover in Jerusalem. They supposed him to be in the group ahead, and had to search for him among the relatives and acquaintances. At last, after three days, they found him in the temple. They were astonished to see him after such great distress (verse 48) We, too, can be worried under similar circumstances.

At the thought of having sinned, eg Psalm 139:23,24.

For sure, not only David sinned and felt sorry. We, too, sin and should get worried and seek God’s forgiveness and be led to the way everlasting.

For the welfare of other Christians, eg 2 Cor. 11:28,29.

Despite all the sufferings and difficulties that the apostle Paul encountered, in toil and hardship, he had the daily pressure of great concern for all the churches (Christians). Are we today concerned for the welfare of other Christians? I hope we are.

Inappropriate concern

For life’s basic necessities eg Matthew 6:25-34

Everyday life needs food, shelter and clothing, but we all know that life is like a vapour and also that life is much more important than these basic needs. God is in control. Remember again that your anxiety cannot add even a single hour to your life span (verse 27: more examples are Ezekiel 4:16,17; Luke 12:22-31).

For some unnecessary things, eg Luke 10:41.

There are some trivial things we need not be anxious about, like Martha.

For cares of this present life, eg Mark 4:18,19.

The cares of this present life and the deceitfulness of riches and the desire for other things can choke us and make us unfruitful. We should be content with the little we have.

To summarize, anxiety makes a man’s heart weigh him down, just as the wise man saw (Prov 12:25). There is the cure. We MUST:

•  Remove much vexation (Eccl. 11:10; Matt. 6:31)

•  Seek God’s consolation to remove anxiety (Psalm 94:19)

•  Cast all our anxieties on God because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7)

•  Above all, offer prayers, supplications and thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6)

Bro Lawrence K’owiti (Katito, Kenya)