Do Not Be anxious

‘Do not be anxious about anything’ is a command and Scripture never commands us to do anything that is not possible. It must, therefore, be possible not to be anxious. But how does a person not feel anxious when redundancy is inevitable, a health issue is serious, a relationship is probably damaged beyond repair or when there are debts mounting at an alarming rate?

As I have pondered all this, an illustration came to my mind. A boy is standing at the side of an extremely busy road which he needs to cross and there are no traffic lights to guide him. He just doesn’t see how he can get to the other side. As he is standing surveying it all with a sense of panic, he hears his father’s voice next to him saying, “Take my hand. I can do this. I know how to get across. You don’t need to be anxious. You’re safe with me.”

We may not be small boys, but in God’s eyes we are still His children and He is more than able to deal with anything that we face. He loves us more than we’ll ever understand, and He wants to lead and guide us. So, rather than focussing on how we can manage the anxiety, shouldn’t we be focussing on our Heavenly Father, and asking Him to grow us in an intimate son or daughter trust relationship with Him? Then, when we’re in an impossible situation, we will be able to hear His voice say, “I’m big enough for your problems. You don’t need to be anxious. You’re safe with me. Take my hand. I will give you My peace.”

Prayer: Father, please help me to know You so intimately that, in my situation of great anxiety, I will be able to see Your look of love for me, and hear Your voice say, “Take my hand”, and then I can experience Your peace which is beyond my understanding. Amen.