The Anchor of Anxiousness

Are you a worry wart? That’s seems like an inappropriate question, or at least grammatically incorrect. A wart is a thing; not a person. So, I guess we could ask, “Do you have a worry wart?” Or perhaps, more accurately and simpler, “Are you a worrier?”

If you ask people what they want most in life, many will say peace of mind. Imagine if the great majority of people actually had peace of mind. However, Christians should desire a greater level of peace. Instead of settling for peace of mind, believers need to strive for the peace of God:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

I could write a whole month of devotions unpacking this passage, but first I want us to truly understand what it means to have the peace of God. Most of us would settle for peace from God, since we have made such a mess out of our lives with our sinful ways. But again, we can have something so much greater: we can have God’s peace.

God’s peace provides us so many things that we desperately need and seek in our earthly lives. Studies show that worry and stress can cause a plethora of mental and physical problems. The spiritual devastation cannot be measured by some study, but you know in your spirit that worry is robbing your joy and sapping your strength. God’s peace can provide you the strength you need:

“The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11)

The Lord Jesus Christ is our ready source of strength and peace. It is not a limited supply either; it comes through obedience to God’s word and application of His truths. Biblical wisdom brings clarity to our minds and everyday lives. Even in the most turbulent times of our lives, when we rely on God’s peace we are able to carry one:

“Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.” (Psalm 119:165)

How does the peace of God do all of this? How can God’s peace keep me from stumbling in all circumstances with such strength? Writing to the Philippian church, Paul said that such peace “surpasses all understanding.” However, if I had to give you a simple answer, it comes from God! God is perfect and complete. He is the Creator of all things, including peace, so should we not expect such peace? The Prophet Isaiah says yes:

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” (Isaiah 26:3-4)

Notice that this peace is conditionally-based on you and me. For us to experience the peace of God, a perfect and complete peace, we must truth in God. Not only must we trust in the Lord, but we must also keep our minds on the Lord Jesus Christ, our King and Savior.

During Jesus’ last night on earth, He promised His disciples, not only the original eleven, but all who would follow in faith, that He was giving us a going-away gift. I know it is customary to give the one leaving a gift, but Jesus wanted us to have a heavenly gift. The Lord knew how badly we would need such a gift:

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

When we our facing tough times, we seek peace in every place and thing we can find. Jesus said the peace He offers cannot be found in the world. It can only be found in Him. It is found in Him when we first trust Him for salvation, and then sanctification.

So, I have one more question for you:

Do you have the peace of God, or are you dragging around the anchor of anxiousness?

Friend, you actually have a choice, so choose wisely.

In Christ
Dave
Ps. 37:4

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    Copyright © 2017 David Jeffers

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