FAITH AND ANXIETY

Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6b-7).

Having ranched cattle for 25 years, I know there is a genetic component to anxiety.  An anxious cow will give birth to an anxious calf and they are easy to spot.  When a human being comes near the herd, their heads are the first ones up; they are hypervigillent.  They are the first ones to run and are the ones who will attempt to jump the fence no matter how strong or high it is.  Not only is there a genetic component to anxiety, there is an environmental component too.  In the cow herd, the ones who tend to have more calm dispositions will tend to follow the lead of the anxious cow or calf; anxiety is contagious.  In the cow-calf business, we want to "put wheels under" the anxious critters, hauling them off to the livestock auction, so that the whole herd doesn't become infected with anxiety.

Even though people are created in the image of God, these principles still apply because we are fleshy too, although we are not going to haul anyone off the livestock auction.  Coping with anxiety is a responsibility given to human beings, though this is one of the most difficult responsibilities we face, especially if one is genetically disposed to be anxious, it seems as if anxiety is normal life; this can also be true for one raised in an anxious environment as well.  Yet our bodies and our relationships tell the story of a life filled with stress: chronic illnesses, a string of broken relationships, addictions, sleepless nights are some of the tell-tale signs of of the role anxiety is playing in our lives.

I consider myself to be an anxious person because some of the classic symptoms of anxiety characterize my life.  Nevertheless, the thing that helps me to cope with my anxiety is sound theology; it is the truth of Scripture that gives me comfort.  Good Bible study, faith, prayer and meditation, in almost every case, ameliorates anxiety. 

Find a group of healthy Christians with whom to fellowship--this should be a matter of prayer.  There are some who are so ridged and legalistic with the Bible, and as a result, so judgemental, that they actually increase anxiety.  Sound theology increases health, not anxiety or laxity.  To me, it is an interesting phenomenon that people seem to follow an anxious leader, for instance, "We have to do something about global warming now or life as we know it is doomed."  Sound theology says human life will be going on about normally at the Lord's sudden return.  He is coming.  Are you prepared to meet Him?  That question might raise the anxiety level a little, but it shouldn't.  The Lord has made us for Himself and if we find our rest in Jesus Christ, the Lord's return is a comforting thought.

Our Father's Love,
Tom