Anxiety Is Real!

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

These are anxious days – months – year or even an entire decade. The elections for 2024 are a coming – strap yourself down and enjoy the ride! There is a deep split in our denomination with members – churches and even conferences leaving the UMC as fast as they can or are allowed. Schools are on summer break – but – there still seems to be some issues from the pandemic and some liberal lessons are taking front and center stage. I could name some more things – but you get the point – we are in anxious times.

Anxiety is tough to face. Anxiety is defined online as – a feeling of worry – nervousness – or unease – typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. Anxiety can overwhelm us. It can cause disorders – and emotional and medical issues. It can immobilize us and take us down if we allow it to do so.

Anxiety can manifest itself in many ways. WebMD defines anxiety this way: Everyone feels anxious now and then. It’s a normal emotion. For example – you may feel nervous when faced with a problem at work – before taking a test – or before making an important decision. Anxiety disorders are different – though. They are a group of mental illnesses – and the distress they cause can keep you from carrying on with your life normally. For people who have one – worry and fear are constant and overwhelming – and can be disabling. But with treatment – many people can manage those feelings and get back to a fulfilling life.

WebMD lists these among the anxiety disorders – panic disorders – social anxiety disorders – specific phobias – and generalized disorders. Each – if not treated – can be disabling. Some – who battle an anxiety disorder – are unable to function in society. Some need medication. Some need psychotherapy. Some may need both. But the passage today suggests another treatment for anxiety. We’re called to give our anxiety to Jesus.

Speaking about general anxiety – I believe some of it could indeed be dealt with by giving it to Jesus – even rebuking the devil when the feelings come upon us. Wait – I guess I didn’t say this – the Apostle Peter wrote about it in today’s passage. Here’s today’s passage in partial context. 1 Peter 5:6–11 – ⁶Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. ⁸Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. ¹⁰And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. ¹¹To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

I’m not suggesting the doctors and therapists are not needed. I’m saying I believe in the supernatural power of our God to do amazing things. If we dwelt in and with the Lord more often – many of the illnesses that plaque us could be dealt with by God’s power. Read Peter’s passage above again. If we humble ourselves before God – God will lift us up. Cast all anxiety on God because God loves us. The devil prowls around trying to attack us and take away our joy. We’re called to resist the devil and stand firm in our faith. God grace can cover us and carry us into eternity. God can restore us and make us well. That’s the way I read it. How about you?

With the 2020 General Conference having met in 2024 (finally) – some might be anxious about the outcome of its gathering. Will the denomination continue to divide – to fail – to shrink? Will it unite? Will it dissolve all together? Will nothing change and the battles continue between the far left and the far right of our denomination? Our different views – our different theologies – will not be solved – even with a divorce within the church. Do not be anxious – God is in control and will never leave us nor forsake us. The church of Jesus Christ will survive the breakup or healing of our denomination. Give your anxiety to Jesus.

With the 2024 Presidential Elections before us and a debate coming in a week – the United States will continue to be divided and anxious moments will prevail. The Congress will be controlled by one party or the other or shared as is the current situation. The far left and the far right have different ideologies – even the middle has its ideas. Do not be anxious – God is in control and will never leave us nor forsake us. The nation will survive or fall – but God will still be Sovereign. Give your anxiety to Jesus.

What else is coming our way? Graduation and an uncertainty about our future job and life? Do we even have a job? Are we in debt beyond our wildest dreams? Is there a disease ravaging our lives or the life of a loved one – like the Covid or cancer? What else is coming our way? I’m not suggesting that all things will go away or go right if we do – but – we need to give our anxiety to Jesus – and allow Him to help us deal with life. Just saying. We are in anxious times – but – we can turn to Jesus for peace.

Just something for us to think about today as we go on our way.