Anxiety is Loud—But it’s Not Lord
In a world where 50 million people and counting struggle with anxiety, it's time to reframe our understanding of this pervasive issue. Anxiety isn't the problem – it's the warning light alerting us that we've created a life our mind and body can't sustain.
Picture this: You're exhausted, your kids are zoned out on video games, and you're bombarded with unrealistic expectations from social media. You try to relax, but your mind races. You seek distraction in podcasts, streaming shows, or endless scrolling. Before you know it, you're caught in a cycle of rushed mornings, work stress, and information overload. Sound familiar?
This modern-day hamster wheel we call "living our best life" is anything but. We've grown so accustomed to being anxious that peace feels foreign. But anxiety is not an identity – it's an alarm going off in our mind and body, signaling that something needs to change.
Dr. John Deloney aptly compares anxiety to a smoke alarm. Instead of addressing the source of the fire, we often try to muffle the alarm. It's like duct-taping a pillow to a blaring smoke detector and retreating to another room. We may think we've solved the problem, but the danger remains.
The irony is that we live in an era of unprecedented prosperity, yet despair statistics are skyrocketing. Suicide, depression, and anxiety rates are climbing. It's a paradox that demands our attention and action.
So how do we break free from this cycle? The answer lies not in a quick fix or a simple switch, but in a profound understanding of our identity in Christ.
Consider the words of Philippians 4:6-7: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." While this verse offers powerful truth, it's essential to recognize that it builds upon the foundation laid in the preceding chapters:
Philippians 1 reminds us that "to live is Christ and to die is gain."
Philippians 2 encourages us to "have this mind among you which is yours in Christ Jesus" and to consider others more important than ourselves.
Philippians 3 challenges us to "count everything as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."
If we struggle to live anxiety-free, perhaps it's not because we don't pray enough, but because we don't fully grasp who we are in Christ. We've created an identity rooted in our own abilities, rather than in God's infinite love and power.
To illustrate this point, let's turn to the story of Joshua, a leader who faced immense pressure and potential anxiety. After Moses' death, Joshua was tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. God's first words to Joshua were not about strategy or strength, but about identity and presence:
"Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel... No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you." (Joshua 1:2,5)
God reminded Joshua that his role was simply to go where God was sending him. Life isn't ultimately up to us – we never really had control, all we had was anxiety. There's profound freedom in realizing that God does more in one second of surrender than we can do in a lifetime of trying to maintain control.
As long as we stay within the boundaries God has set for our lives, we remain under His protection and guidance. It's when we venture beyond these boundaries that anxiety often takes hold. Just as a fence keeps a beloved pet safe, God's boundaries for our lives are designed for our protection and flourishing.
God's command to Joshua, and to us, is clear: "Be strong and courageous." But this strength and courage don't come from gritting our teeth or mustering up willpower. They come from being grounded in and guided by Jesus and His word.
Remember:
Joshua was confident, not anxious, because God is competent.
Joshua could depend on God, not anxiety, because God is dependable.
Joshua could trust God, not anxiety, because God is trustworthy.
The battle over anxiety isn't won through human strength, but through human surrender to God's strength. Our God-given identity destroys the power of anxiety. While it may not eliminate the presence of anxiety entirely, it equips us to handle the anxiety alarm when it goes off in our lives.
Building a non-anxious life where we're "anxious for nothing" is about learning to focus on what God asks us to focus on and trusting everything else to Him. It's about remembering core truths:
God is great, so I am joyful. (Psalm 145:1-3)
God is good, so I am secure. (Psalm 145:4-10)
God is glorious, so I am an overcomer. (Psalm 145:11-13)
God is gracious, so I am redeemed. (Psalm 145:14-20)
Our God-given identity isn't tied to our workout routine, parenting ability, body shape, job status, sexual preferences, political views, or hobbies. It's rooted in God's presence in our lives, His promises from His word, His love in Jesus, and His care for our lives.
As Christians, we have an even stronger foundation than Joshua did. We have the Word made flesh – Jesus Christ our Lord. When anxiety creeps in, we're called to remember the miracle of our salvation and the astounding reality that we can stand before God.
If we can stand before the Almighty God, what in this world should make us anxious? If we find ourselves worried about anything, it's a sign we're not fully grasping what we have through Jesus. The courage to face life's challenges comes from understanding this profound truth.
Jesus took on the greatest threat life could ever throw at us so that we could receive the greatest comfort God could ever give – to be called children of God. If the power behind the universe loves you with all His heart, soul, strength, and mind – a love demonstrated on the cross – why should anxiety rule your heart?
So, the next time anxiety alarms are blaring in your life, pause and ask yourself: What do these alarms say about my identity? Then, remember who you truly are in Christ. Be strong and courageous, for your identity is secure in the hands of a loving, all-powerful God.