A further word for the worried and anxious - Midweek Message 9th September 2020

 

Dear Friends,

Last Sunday we were thinking about Jesus’ word to his disciples in Matthew 6.25-34 – Do not worry and I wanted to add to what was said then by summarising the main points of a short and helpful video clip by David Powlison that Crossway put up on YouTube entitled ‘3 things to remember when you are feeling anxious’  Until he died in 2019, Powlison served as Executive Director of the Christian Counselling and Educational Foundation (CCEF). He’s someone whose writing and speaking I have come to value greatly in recent years.

He begins by pointing out that we have, as human beings, good reasons for feeling anxious.  There is so much in life in relation to ourselves and those closest to us which is not in our control. We are mortal and vulnerable.  On that basis we are not ‘nuts’ to experience anxiety or worry rather it is part of our human condition.

Then he reminds us that the most repeated command in the Bible is Do not fear or Do not be afraid. Time and time again God says this to his people and when he does, he invariably accompanies it with a promise. For example, God through Moses speaking to the Israelites standing on the verge of entering the land of Canaan and wondering what lies ahead of them and saying to them: Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you."  (Deuteronomy 31:6) Or think of Jesus coming across the water to his terrified disciples struggling with the oars in a storm on the Sea of Galilee and saying to them:  It is I; do not be afraid. Or ponder those familiar words of Paul to the Christians in Philippi: The Lord is near.Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:5-7 ) In all the different examples the tone of the command not to be anxious or afraid  is of equal importance. It is never spoken in a stern voice but rather with tenderness and understanding of our condition.

In the light of all that, David Powlison believes encounters with worry and anxiety can in fact become doors of opportunity for growth in our Christian lives as we hear God’s call to us not to be anxious not to be afraid; as we remember that he is present with us; as with honesty in prayer, we tell him what is on our hearts and what is causing our fear our anxiety; and as we listen to, and by faith, take to heart his promises. Personally speaking, I find that perspective on worry and anxiety as an opportunity to grow a very helpful thought.

Yours in Christ,

David

 

PS if you would like to listen to the clip itself you can find it here