Daily Nuggets of Grace Part 6 Calm!Sample

Anxiety Robs Us

Google “news on anxiety," and you'll find various articles.

·Why some people experience anxiety more intensely than others.

·Financial anxiety beginning as young as 14 years.

·Anxiety is the number one issue among workers.

·Anxiety as a daughter navigates her first school year.

Conversation about anxiety is as typical as coffee for breakfast.

People are quick to talk about their anxiety. Anxiety's not life-giving, rather - speaking from personal experience - it's destructive.

Anxiety gives an illusion of doing something when things are out of control. But as Jesus points out, who can add a single hour to their life by being anxious? The anxiety-prone are always seeking - something to eat, something to drink, or something to wear. They are seeking something that will give comfort.In the meantime, they’re missing out on real living!

Anxiety robs us of the abundant life Jesus offered.

The word “anxious” means double-minded or having a divided mind. God tells us there's a correlation between being double-minded and unstable in all your ways. Overcoming that instability is a great reason to seek God's answers to anxiety.

The Gospel of Mark tells us that worries of this world choke out the Word and lead to an unfruitful life.

First Peter 5 explains that some activity of our spiritual enemy is linked to anxiety. We’re encouraged to cast our anxiety on God because the devil is like a ravenous lion who’s out to make us his next prey.

Anxiety keeps us from living in God’s great adventure and confines us to a small story revolving around our anxious thoughts.

So, what's a believer to do in an anxiety-ridden age? Today’s passages frame our worries with the theme of God’s care for us. Matthew points us to God’s care for His creation and, thus, His care for you. He feeds the birds of the air and clothes the field's lilies.You’re of much greater value than these. You can cast your cares on Him because He cares for you!

That is the rub for many of us. Do I believe He cares even in the most challenging times? And that’s what we’ll be working on together through this week.

Reflect and Respond

How has anxiety robbed you of the abundant life Jesus offers?

Pray

I believe, Lord. Help me this week in my unbelief about your care. In the mighty name of Jesus help me to throw my anxiety to You, knowing that You care for me.