Encouragement

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Irony is when you are attempting to write a column on anxiety and the very thing you are to write about keeps you from writing. So, being the stubborn person that I am, I waited until I was frustrated and had wasted a lot of time before I prayed:

“Father, what do you want me to write? I know that anxiety is more than a failure of faith. It is not of you to place shame…I’m getting that same feeling in my head again. The one that brings confusion and makes me feel frustrated and overwhelmed. Father, let this feeling pass that I may be joined with you. Let me hear your words.” It was then that I heard…

Child, I am calling my worriers to repentance. Worry is a red flag or a signal to let them know what needs to be worked on. Worry indicates that the person is in need of more faith, more trust, more of me.

They get so used to trying to take care of everything themselves. They only see what is done as being from their own power, giving themselves the glory. Worry comes when, in their heart, they know that they really don’t have control of their lives but they have not yet given that control over to me.

Instead they struggle to get control through careful planning, trying to imagine anything that could possibly go wrong and put plans in place to either prevent it or to reduce the problem it causes if they are not able to prevent it.

Satan has a field day with this, feeding you fears and doubts which lead to further attempts to control your life.

It is all a lie, an illusion. “Which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life’s span?”(Luke 12:25) I am the one who is in control. I am sovereign. Placing yourself in my role, my position, is idolatry and pride.
I have placed you on this earth for my purpose. I made you the way you are. I have provided for you that which you need to accomplish my work. Until my work is done in you and through you, you can come to no harm. There will be times of hurt to varying degrees, but those times I will use to draw you and others closer to me, preparing you for what I have for you.

Stop holding on so desperately to those things of this earth that give you false comfort. Those things will all pass away and mean nothing. Seek only those things that are of me. When you do that, everything else that you need to do my work will be provided to you. (Matthew 6:33)

“So then where does anxiety come from?”

Anxiety comes from a build-up of residual fear from past experiences, either your own or of others around you. Parents can pass on their anxiety to their children. You learn to respond with fear and anxiety by watching others respond in fear and anxiety. Once learned, it begins to feed and grow on its own, like the thorns. (Luke 8:14)

“Father, so how do we rid ourselves of it?”

You don’t! That’s my job. I just need your cooperation. How? Let go of this world. It is not your home. Find out what I’m about. Seek my kingdom.

When you do this, you will learn to trust me. I will begin to show you that I AM, and I am with you. I will transform your heart, your desires, into mine. Things of this world will no longer trouble you as they have. You will know me.
It won’t happen all at once. Endurance takes time and commitment to develop. I will walk you through the process. I will bring you new areas to work on as you become ready. Over time, as you continue to seek me, I will show you how to place each of your residual fears at my feet.

Place control back in my hands, healing your wounds from the past. Removing the shade that has been covering the light I have placed inside of you. It is through this process that I will reveal my glory to you and through you, developing a shield of faith like no other to provide protection for yourself and others against the flaming arrows of the enemy. (Ephesians 6:10-18)

My children, worry is not a failure of faith. It is a call to battle!!

Jennifer Young, LPC is a Telephone Christian Counselor. For more information, visit www.Thy-Kingdm.com .

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