Christian Living

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COPING WITH ANXIETY


This article follows the format laid out in William Sykes’ The Eternal Vision, from which I have selected pertinent quotations. While I have provided an alternative lead-in, abbreviated commentary, and concluding paragraph. Thus to probe the issue from a different, although largely compatible, perspective.
It occurred to me as a child that if there was a God, he might have some service for me to render. If so, then perhaps on the mission field. In this case, Africa especially came to mind, although my impression was largely derived from Tarzan and the apes. Consequently, this was intimidating.
The time came when I set out for a short term teaching assignment in Nigeria. Upon my arrival at the mission compound, I was guided to the hut which would serve as my residence. As I laid down on my bunk, I could hear noises unlike the urban sounds with which I had become accustomed. I imagined that there were wild beasts nearby, and at one point peered out the window—supposing that I might confront one of them. However, I could make out nothing but the dim line of foliage nearby. Somewhat unnerved by this, I laid back on my bunk.
After which, I heard the sound of gunfire in the distance. It was not until the next morning that I learned that this was a common practice, meant to drive off the troublesome spirits believed to approach during the night. This compounded the anxiety that had been building, although I derived confidence from my calling to serve Christ in this regard.
As for apt quotations from Scripture concerning anxiety:
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you” (Psa. 55:22). While others may fail in the attempt.
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7). Whereas bearing in mind that genuine humility is not self-effacement, since this qualifies as a negative expression of pride. Why? In that it focuses on self, rather than the one who sustains us.
As for additional quotations and commentary:
“Cast your cares on God; that anchor holds” (Alfred, Lord Tennyson, “Enoch Arden”). As when something akin to a raging storm threatens us. When all is said and done, our anchor holds.
“He has not learned the lesson of life who does not every day surmount a fear” (Ralph Waldo Emerson, Letters and Social Aims, Addresses). Which would suggest that anxiety is a very common feature of life, with which we must learn to cope. Then in doing so, to assist others who are similarly subjected to anxiety.
“It is a help to have something to do, and not to creep about in a dim fatiguing dream of anxiety” (A. C. Benson, Extracts from the Letters of Dr. A. C. Benson to M. E. A.). This recalls the admonition, “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.” Having done so, to take appropriate action, and accommodate as the need arises.
“Anxiety is the rust of life, destroying its brightness and weakening its powers. A childlike and abiding trust in Providence is its best preventive and remedy” (Author unknown). In this regard, Jesus observed: “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it” (Mark 10:15).
“Anxiety usually comes from strain, and strain is caused by too complete a dependence on ourselves, on our own devices, our own plans, our own idea of what we are able to do” (Thomas Merton, No Man Is an Island). While there is as a rule others who will share our burden. Whether this is the case or not, God will respond to those who call on him.
“If what we have we receive as a gift, and if what we have is to be cared for by God, and if what we have is available to others, then we will possess freedom from anxiety” (Richard Foster, The Celebration of Discipline). Conversely, if what we have derives from our merit, we have reason to doubt its efficacy.
“A crowd of small, impertinent worries torment me which I should not notice if I were in real trouble” (Mark Rutherford, Last Pages from a Journal). So should we strive to get and keep our priorities in good order.
“In our age everything has to be a ‘problem’. Ours is a time of anxiety because we have willed it to be so. Our anxiety is not imposed on us by force from outside. We impose it on our world and upon one another from within ourselves” (Thomas Merton, Thoughts on Solitude). If we insist on thinking in this fashion, it will assuredly continue to plague us.
“The release of anxiety is to turn cares into prayers. If we feel anxious about somebody, ill or in danger or need, that anxiety does no good to us or to them. But if that anxiety is turned into a prayer, it widens and enriches our spiritual life, it turns a thought which is depressing into a thought which is uplifting, and it helps the person we are praying for” (Geoffrey Harding, in George Appleton, Journey for a Soul). Thus to confirm the apt observation, “More is accomplished by prayer than this world realizes.”
“While there is always need of wise forethought and due reference to the demands of the future, these have yet nothing in common with mere anxieties and worries which are disintegrating and fret away all the pure gold in life. Worry is simply lack of faith in God” (Lilian Whiting, Lilies of Eternal Peace). As I have allowed on other occasions, “Those who know who holds their future need not be concerned over what the future holds.”
All things considered, blessed is the person who shares the sentiments of the psalmist: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want” (32:1). He has me lie down in green pastures, leads me beside still waters, and revives my spirit. He leads me in paths of righteousness, recalling the rock strewn trails in the Judean hill country. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for he is present with me. As an apparent reference to the deep ravines in that region. Surely goodness and mercy, as if two guard dogs, will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. As a gracious alternative to anxiety.

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