Welcoming the New SeasonSample

Letting Go of Anxiety

As human beings, anxiety is often our natural response towards matters we have yet to understand or solve, such as this current pandemic and the out of the ordinary ways of living that we need to cope with now.

But anxiety can also be a benefiting invitation for us. It is an invitation to prepare ourselves better, to seek information, or to add knowledge, as well as to seek after God’s wisdom. But don’t keep anxiety for more than 24 hours. Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” 

Both anxiety and fear are spiritual. Both can attack us anytime with our minds as its battlefield. If we let the spirit of timidity take control over our lives, anxiety could cripple and eventually destroy us.

Paul the Apostle in his letter to Timothy (2 Timothy 1:7), wrote that the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. He was writing to encourage Timothy, who at the time was still a young servant of God. Timidity is a lack of courage or confidence due to low self-esteem. Other translations use the word ‘cowardice’ or lack of bravery, like a soldier who flees from a battle. Paul pointed out the issue but he also came up with the solution: that God has given us His Spirit, who gives us power, love, and self-discipline.

When the enemy launches its attack at us with one obstacle, God gives us three ways to overcome it! The Spirit of the living God has been with us since the day we received Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. 

Do not overestimate our troubles, especially before God. Instead, pour out your requests to Him through prayer, petition, and thanksgiving. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. After letting go of anxiety, set your mind on whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, let us think about such things.

Pray

Father in heaven, thank You for giving me Your Spirit; the Spirit that gives me power, love, and self-discipline. I want to put my heart into chasing after the truth instead of being stuck in anxiety. Walk before me so I can learn to understand the ways of Your truth. And when my understanding of the truth grows, let your peace grow, overcoming all anxieties in my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.