By Mark Maher
“The presence of anxiety is unavoidable, but the prison of anxiety is optional. It’s the life of perpetual anxiety that Paul wants to address. Don’t let anything in life leave you perpetually in angst.” Max Lucado
He will keep in PERFECT PEACE all those who TRUST IN HIM, whose thoughts turn OFTEN to the Lord. (Isaiah 26:3). We can hurt and still have much hope. We can do both, mourn, yet live in joy and purpose.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
The apostle Paul seems to set quite the standard. “Be anxious for nothing. Nada. Zilch. Zero.” I love that, I think you can quiet your mind and your anxious heart. I’ve learned how to do it, it’s in contentment, it’s in a fearless heart because you know you’re walking in God’s purpose, which tends to lead into God’s given grace. He gives you a grace to do what may seem impossible.
You have to release control, it’s being happy in ALL THINGS. You have pre-decided to remain joyful and content. Your joy, your strength comes from God, so worldly things become somewhat irrelevant. What’s really important? Relationships and speaking life into people. Start texting back and forth with a faith filled friend who is hurting. I’ll be that friends. I am never too busy for faith related conversations, I’ve pre-decided, that’s why I’m here, to bring others to Christ, so I’m never too busy. Doing a message, easy, He graced me for it, in other words be in God’s will, it’s easy, no burden. Use His strength. In these times, we realize how little we actually need and give thanks for what we do have.
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”
“But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10: 25 – 37)
The Samaritan unleashed amazing God given kindness and empathy. We can all do this every single day and you will live with no regrets and Spiritual strength through your obedience. The miracle can always be found in the DOING. The Samaritan responded, noticed, had Spiritual eyes to see the hurting.
People are hurting, don’t neglect the person hurting in your busyness. Be that Samaritan who went above and beyond for his fellow man. Tasks are good, but we are not called to do tasks as much as helping those in need. Need margins, Jesus was not concerned with tasks (little possessions, not distracted, too purposeful, no fear, anxieties, no worries) Mark 4:19
Who are you going to rescue/save today? People are hurting, go help someone, anyone. It’s always about relationships as much as I like crossing things off the to do lists. We can’t overlook the hurting. That person is probably in your own family.
“Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life. Do you want to be happy tomorrow? Then sow seeds of happiness today – count blessings, memorize Bible verses, pray, sing hymns, spend time encouraging people. Do you want to guarantee tomorrow’s misery? Then wallow in a mental mud pit of self-pity or guilt or anxiety today assume the worst, beat yourself up, rehearse your regrets, complain to complainers.” Max Lucado
If God can help us overcome fear, an anxious heart, we can become powerful and can be used by God in amazing ways. #faithoverfear. Why do you think the Bible proclaims 365 times to fear not?
