The enemy, we are told, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking who he can devour (1Peter 5:8). If we submit to the fear of the moment, we run for cover in the tall grass, often not even realizing he's right there creeping around and waiting to attack. Or we run until we fall down in exhaustion and despair. We get up and struggle to push forward in our weariness, wrestling through every step as we realize that the enemy is pursuing us. (In this very moment, I am struggling to keep my focus and move forward. I just accidentally deleted almost all of this blog entry. The entry was completed and only needed edited. Okay, blinders on and back to the keyboard.)
As the enemy pursues us, it feels like an uphill climb only to arrive in a thick, dark forest, which leads to a desert that suddenly surrounds us. We collapse in exhaustion and wonder why we even try. But just as we are about to give up, we hear it...the trickling of water...and we get up again and limp forward until we catch a glimpse of the stream that propels us further. We arrive, and as we take a sip of living water, we are reminded of the One who makes us lie down in green pastures, leads us beside still waters, and refreshes our soul (Psalm 23:2). From this place we can lift our eyes to the mountains and remember where our help comes from--the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2). We are further reminded that our strength can be renewed and we can soar on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, and walk without becoming faint (Isaiah 40:31). When we have sufficiently recovered, we realize that the enemy who prowls around like a roaring lion has been overcome by the Lion of Judah.
With our filtered blinders on, we can "take hold of the hope that has been set before us...as an anchor for our soul" (Hebrews 6:18-19). We can also claim God's promises from Isaiah 43:2, which says that when we pass through the waters and walk through the fire He will be with us and keep us from being swept up by the water or burned by the fire. There are many reminders of God's presence throughout His Word to comfort us; His very name is "I Am". Jesus' name is Emanuel, God with us. And the Holy Spirit is also called Comforter, Counselor, Advocate, and Encourager.
So how do we " Be anxious for nothing"? First and foremost, we remember that Jesus is always with us, "to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). We can also put on our filtered blinders, focus on the Him and "in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let (y)our requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6b).
A final reminder for all of us is that even though we all struggle with anxiety from time to time, there are so many others who do not have an eternal hope to turn to. So we should "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks us (you) to give the reason for the hope that we (you) have" and to do this "with gentleness and respect" (1Peter 3:15). Those of us who are fortunate enough to be further along in our faith walk, need to share our stories with those who come behind us (see song below). Let's pray for those opportunities and listen closely for direct and indirect questions that seek after the hope others see in us.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eERKnxzNzwg