Learning To Surrender Christian Anxiety

By Flossie Gibbs


'Be anxious for nothing' is the command of scripture. Easier said than done, many Christians respond. Worrying has always been a part of man's condition, ever since Adam and Eve left the garden. The question is: what should believers do when Christian anxiety takes the place of the peace God has promised?

Anxious thoughts are normal for human beings. However, God knows that stress is bad for us, both physically and mentally. After all, He made us. He gave us free will, we choose to sin, we then face consequences that trouble us, and we choose to worry. God has provided a way out. He forgives our sins and He promises to work all things for good for us who love Him.

Most of us have anxious thoughts. The problem comes when we hold on to these worries. They can dominate our waking and even sleeping hours. There is no time for worship, communion with God, joy, and peace when our thoughts are on troublesome circumstances. God, in His Word and by His example, has shown us how to cope with daily burdens.

God wants to help and guide us. He wants to share our burdens and change our lives. He understands that we are weak and promises to give us His strength. He pleads with us in His Word, He provides for us even when we turn from Him, and He gives us grace to feel His presence, see His glory, and find all we need in Him.

So we have to surrender all to Him. We meed to acknowledge that His will is supreme, that our expectations are not the framework for our lives, that we do not know best, and that we are not and cannot be in control. This is hard for human beings to accept, but surrender is the first step to peace. We give up so God can and does step into our circumstances.

We can only surrender if we trust God to know our circumstances and want the best for us. Trusting Him with our finances, our families, our personal safety, and our future means that we are free to praise and thank Him for provision and grace. A lack of trust is really a lack of belief that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He promises.

Giving our anxious thoughts over to God is not a suggestion but a command. God knows that people do not find it easy to accept the leadership of another, even if the other is divine. He knows that we will be happier, healthier, and more productive for His kingdom work if we follow rather than run ahead. We must ask for His help in giving up the throne of our lives so He can occupy it.

Christian anxiety can be the trigger for a deeper and richer understanding of God and His father-care for His children. His Word is filled with love for all people. Jesus has won the victory for every living being, so we can truly relax and enjoy fellowship with the creator of the universe. Letting God do His will for us is so much better than futile worrying.




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