Wonderfully ComplexSample

ANXIETY & UNCERTAINTY

Anxiety is a complex emotion that is always rooted in uncertainty. Fear, worry, trepidation, concern, nervousness, and panic – are all part of the same family of anxious emotions. Anxiety places our mind either in the past of regret or the future of fears, both powerless places. This is why Scripture tells us clearly not to be anxious, not to worry. However, often this is easier said than done.

The biblical description of worry is to be drawn in different directions and distracted by anxious cares. The word worry comes from the term meaning “to choke.” So worry will literally turn your peace into pieces as it chokes your mind away from the truth.

If your goal is to find your crucial needs of love, purpose, and value in creation, then uncertainty will be a space you will grapple with. Anxiety is the fruit of uncertain goals. Trying to meet our identity needs through creation will automatically place us in a position of vulnerability, as there is no guarantee that those needs will be met. For example, if we place our need for self-worth and value in the hands of another human being and we are uncertain if that person will accept or reject us, then anxiety is triggered.

Nothing in creation was ever meant to have authority over our value. Only God should have that power. When we give creation power over our value, we instantly place ourselves in a position of powerlessness and vulnerability. This will also result in living a rollercoaster life, depending on ‘how’ others behave as to ‘how’ we feel.

Philippians 4:6-7 instructs us not to worry but instead pray. Prayer brings our minds back into the present tense, and prayer is something we do have control over, so it places us back into a powerful position.

Worry is powerless – Prayer is powerful.

The fruit of turning our anxiety and worries into prayers is that God will give us His peace, which passes all understanding. This peace is what will guard our hearts and minds, which in turn helps us manage our complex emotions.

The biblical understanding of peace is “the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation, despite this earthly lot.” This is my prayer for you.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

• Consider what spaces in your world trigger the most anxiety in you.

Relationships

Work

Ministry

Finances

Other

• Consider how much you allow these spaces to have power over your value and worth.
• Consider what behaviour you choose to lean into when you are feeling powerless.
• Consider how you can lean more into Christ when triggered by anxiety

PRAY

Lord, thank you that I can come to you with my anxieties and worries. Thank you for caring so much about me that what I feel matters to you. Today, I choose to give you my anxieties and worries, and I pray that your peace will fill my heart and mind as I choose to dwell on your truth. Amen