By Allen White
Why do we feel so anxious? Anxiety is
tied to the future. We’re not anxious about our past. After all, if we are
anxious someone might find out something about our past, that’s actually a
future concern. Past is past.
Anxiety is a problem with our future.
“I don’t know if I can get all of my work done.” “I don’t know if my kids will
turn out well.” “I don’t know where I’ll be a year from now.” “I don’t know if
I’ll still have my job.” Anxiety weighs us down.
Research shows by rehearsing these
anxious thoughts, we actually put ourselves through the same physiological
process as if we’re actually experiencing the problem. If we worry about
getting fired, we go through the same stress, emotions, and physical symptoms
as if we just received our pink slip. In fact, getting fired might actually
come as a relief!
No one has exact certainty regarding
his/her future. We can plan. We can work. We can hope, and we can worry. But,
worry doesn’t promise a positive outcome. In fact, worry might take us the
other direction. Now, there’s one more thing to worry about.
If anxiety weighs down, then a kind
word cheers up. Here’s the kind word: there is Someone who knows your entire
future – God. Before you were born, God knew you and the path you would take.
God is never surprised or worried about what happens to you. He already knows.
Not only does God know our future, He
has a plan for us. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, “For I know the plans I have for
you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to
give you hope and a future.” God has got things under control, and He is
leading us toward a positive result.
Above all else, God loves us. He loves
us enough to not leave us with poor character or a defeating circumstance. What
He won’t deliver us from He will walk us through, and it will develop our character
in the process.
Cheer up. God is on your side. And, if
God is for us, then who can be against us?
God knows the future. He knows
everything planned for today, and tomorrow, and every day after that. Once the
issue you face is resolved, God also knows the peace you will experience. And,
here’s the great thing about God, if we follow His instructions in Philippians
4:6-7, we can have that peace now. We don’t have to wait.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but
in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Follow
these words to cheer your heart and lift your burden.
More from Allen
White: allenwhite.org
Facebook: Galatians419 Group
Twitter: @galatians419 @allenwhite
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