Joy Over AnxietySample

Joy is Trust

Whenever we feel anxiety, the great temptation is to double down on what we can control, and falter on our trust in God. The Bible is clear: our trust in God is what will lead to greater joy.

A clear example of this is found in the Parable of the Talents. 

The story states one day, a master goes away on a trip and entrusts his three servants with money. The servant with five talents (money) invests it and makes five more. The servant with two talents invests it and makes two more. The third servant does something odd. Instead of investing the talents like the other, he buries the one talent he received. 

When the master comes back, he celebrates the two who risked and made more in return. The master says, “Enter into the joy of your master!” Together, they share in greater joy.

When the master talks to the third servant, it didn’t go over so well. The third servant said in his fear of the master, he buried the money and gave back the same amount. 

Here, we see his view of the master influenced what he did. Instead of risking and growing, he doubled down on an action of control. By burying the money, he knew exactly what he would get back. He was controlling the outcome. This was not what the master wanted. The master sent him away, and the third servant’s fear turned into greater fear.

Our trust in God will determine whether we enter into greater joy or more fear.

We could be like the two servants who had so much trust in their master, they risked and ended up with more joy. If we’re honest, many of us do what the third servant did. In our anxiety and fear, we default to what we can control. His lack of trust doomed him for more fear. 

The second action for joy is trust. Once you’re honest about what you feel, fight the temptation to seek control. Instead, slow down and, through prayer, give God your anxiety. 

Today, pray for greater trust in God through your anxiety.