Hope in the Midst of AnxietySample

Our Approach: Prayer 

What if we prayed boldly that the battles and anxieties we are facing would grow us like never before, instead of praying it away? What about prayer that affects and changes us deep in our core and includes talking with God instead of just to God and also includes listening to what He has to say? Let’s take a look at some of the things Paul says about prayer: 

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with the one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."   Romans 15:5-6

During this time the church was being persecuted. Paul didn’t pray for their suffering to disappear. No, Paul prayed that Christians would be brought together to glorify God in and through their suffering and anxiety.

Paul prayed for a unity that brings the kingdom together, a mindset that unites Christians to model Christ, whose suffering brought such glory to God. He prayed for an endurance that dwells within us because of Christ Jesus, the one who endured rather than avoided the cross so we could be with him. Paul later goes on to say in Romans 15:13:

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Our battles, like those of the Christians Paul is addressing, can be met with “hope” and “joy” and “peace” in our suffering and anxiety. Can we actually access something far more personal with God than the relief of our struggles just disappearing or being avoided?  This hope in the midst of trials not only produces a deeper and more personal relationship with God. It also allows us to witness and spread real hope to others.

"In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; he saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him."  Psalm 34:6-7

God understands! He does not look to judge us the way we judge ourselves. He sees our brokenness and anxiety and wants to use it! But if we stay where we are thinking - lying to ourselves that our brokenness and pain is meaningless, or that everything is okay when it's not- we halt what God wants to do. As believers, we need to halt such fear-driven thoughts that paralyze us. Why? Because God wants to use the very things we're walking through to grow us, not condemn or discourage us. God wants to do beautiful work in our lives. He is patient, loving, and faithful. When the good He is doing is hard to see because of the pain, God uses heartache to draw us nearer to Him.

Question to think about: What is happening in your life currently that has made you feel weary and empty?