It has always been my belief that God as our creator indeed created man with emotions. Therefore, we should be able to conclude that emotions are an important part of who we are as human beings. Since that fact being the case, it would make sense that our emotions are not generally a terrible thing to experience. However, I will say that, just as with anything else in our lives, our emotions can play a positive or negative role in the course of our lives.
Out of the many different emotions that human beings experience, Love and Hate seem to be the extreme opposites of them all. Somewhere in the span of that spectrum of emotions we will find anxiety, fear, and worry. It is these emotions that I will focus on in this blog post.
It has come to my attention that several articles and news stories are reporting this thing that they are calling, “phone phobia.” Surveys over the 2023-2024 time period are showing that almost 90% of Gen Z dread making or accepting a phone call. This is only one example of our society today and how we seem to be struggling in different ways with anxiety. There are, no doubt, countless more ways in which people from all generations experience anxiety.
As I thought about this statistic, at first, I thought to myself, well that seems a bit of a silly thing to be anxious about. Yet as I thought about what might really be happening, I was not only saddened for our society, but I also became concerned for the future of our society. I became concerned because I know that this kind of anxiety is evidence of a society that either does not know God or at least struggles in their relationship with Him.
I want to be clear that I am not intending to make a judgement against anyone who struggles with anxiety, worry or fear. I, just like most others, have struggled with these emotions at various times throughout my life. I know that the struggle is real.
Having said all of that, I would like to present some truths that if taken seriously and by faith, we could be set free from this prison of fear, worry, and anxiety. Yes, that is right. These emotions can become just that if we allow it. But, God, our creator, never intended for any of our emotions to become a prison or strong hold in our lives.
I have often preached that emotions are not sinful. However, how we process or deal with our emotions can affect our behavior. If our emotions are not dealt with in the manner in which God intended, then we can find ourselves allowing stress into our lives. To get to the point, God never intended for our emotions to be allowed to control our lives. Sure, emotions can and do affect our decision making but to allow emotions to drive our every decision would be less than what God would desire.
The fact is that we are told not to fear 365 times in the Bible. And just like most others, my first reaction each time I read it is, “easier said than done.” However, the fact remains that God’s Truth over and over again commands us to not be afraid.
These emotions, anxiety, fear, and worry are exactly what these 356 occurrences are addressing. It should be obvious that these emotions interfere with what God wants for His creation. God wants us to live in confidence, strength, and assurance in Him. He wants the world to see Him in us! That does not happen if we surrender to fear, anxiety, and worry.
The truth is, we live in a world that is in decay and it seems that evil and wickedness is increasing more and more as the world turns. The reality is that evil and wickedness has existed since Adam and Eve were kicked out of the garden. What has changed is the culture and the way that we exist in the world, and as long as there is change there will always be anxiety, fear, and worry.
When we read the bible, we are ready the inspired Word of God. We can notice that every truth that is in the Bible was written to someone in some age or generation of time. We can notice that all of them struggled with emotions just as we do today.
So, when we read in Philippians and see how the believers were being encouraged to keep their minds on the Lord and focus on who they were in Christ, and we see these words found there.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
Notice that we can find some tools to overcome our anxieties, fears, and worries. As we notice these tools, hopefully we can notice that we have not been left to ourselves to deal with these difficult emotions that seem to take over our lives.
First, we pray. We talk to God regularly. He already knows our emotions. We should go to Him and be honest with Him and ourselves about our emotions.
Second, we offer our petitions. This is where we call on God to intervein. We ask God to give us what we need to overcome our emotions. We petition the Lord to guide us through these fears, anxieties, and worries. His Word tells us that He is waiting for us to come to Him.
Third, we always express our gratitude for God’s faithfulness. This helps in at least two ways. When we praise God and thank Him for His presence and blessings, we then begin to focus on Him rather than that which produces our fears, anxiety, and worry. Also, expressing gratitude, even before we see answers to prayer, shows God that we not only trust Him but also revere Him a Lord.
Fourth, all of the previous tools when exercised, are evidence that we actually believe in God and Trust in Him in all things.The more we trust God the better we are able to manage our emotions because we are more comfortable with giving them to Him.
The following pieces of scripture are simply a few parts of God’s Truth. I hope that you will read them and consider putting your faith in what they mean.
“casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.” – Proverbs 12:25
“For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7
The bottom line here is that us human beings were created to believe in God and walk with Him. This is the Christian life. This kind of life requires faith. Faith is the key to living the life that Jesus died on the Cross for. Faith is the key to truly knowing God as He intended for us all! Faith is the key to overcoming these emotions so that they do not control our lives and dictate our every decision.
In case anyone does not know or understand what faith is. I will point out Hebrews chapter 11:1.
“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” – Hebrews 11:1
Yes, I know. Easier said than done. If was easy, a caveman could do it. It is not meant to be easy, but it is very possible. All it takes is deciding to believe in God and then believe God. It means that we trust God always in all things.
I pray that if you struggle with anxiety, fear, or worry that God would draw you near to Him and that you would by FAITH draw near to Him. He is faithful and will give you victory!
To God be the Glory.
