Life is often difficult and sometimes painful. If my car is broken down on the I.5 highway, then it is a stressful day. Difficulties often occur in the ordinary activities and responsibilities of life, and they many times cause us anxieties.
Scripture records countless of godly men and women who have struggled with anxiety. For example, in 1 Samuel, Hannah is anxious because she was unable to conceive children. In the book of Esther, Esther was distressed because of the royal decree from the King that demands all Jews to be massacred.
Nowadays, anxiety is epidemic, and the cause of anxiety could vary from finance, family, to relationships. Anxiety is a natural part of our life. Job Chapter 14, Verse 1 says, “Man who is born of a woman, is few of days and full of troubles.”
However, how to deal with it is up to us. If we choose to do it on our own, we won’t find the permanent relief. Many people attempt to survive anxiety by therapy, drugs, and alcohol and conclude that none of them work because the only cure for anxiety is "to cast your anxiety upon Him, who personally care about you" (1 Peter Chapter 5, Verse 7).
Therapy, Drugs, and Booze Won’t Work
On February 2014, the Atlantic published an article named Surviving Anxiety, and in the article, the author states that he is anxious about public speaking. To cope with anxiety, he took Xanax and drank Vodka just right before his speech so that he could speak clearly. He admits that his method of dealing with anxiety is not healthy. Indeed, it is dangerous, but it works for him temporally. When the effect of the medication and alcohol is over, he has to retake more Xanax and alcohol.
His anxiety is not limited to public speaking. He is buffeted by worry about his health, family, finances, work, and his concern even actually causes physical discomfort–stomach-aches, headaches, dizziness, and pains. He also suffered from many specific fears and phobias, in addition to his fear of public speaking. In brief, anxiety has affected all of his life.
He also has tried a bunch of therapies: group therapy, rational therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, and many more, but unfortunately, none of them work. In summary, medication, treatment, and liquor won’t cure his anxiety. The reason is that the cure for anxiety is not found within us, but outside of us, namely in the promise of God.
You are His Personal Concern
The Scripture gave us a cure for our anxiety, which is found in 1 Peter Chapter 5, Verse 7, which says, “cast your anxiety upon Him for He cares about You.” The cure for our anxiousness is embedded in the last for words of that verse, which states that God cares about you and me, and that is His promise for those who trust in Him. One translation translates, “you can throw the whole weight of your anxiety upon Him, for You are His personal concern.”
In Matthew Chapter 6, Verses 26-27, Jesus says to His disciples, “look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” In other words, if the heavenly Father looks after the birds and sparrows, and of course, you are worth more than many birds and sparrows, then God the Father definitely will look after you and those who trust in Him.
Therefore, the answer to anxiety is theological. It is to know who you are in light of who God is. In Matthew Chapter 7, Verse 11, Jesus says, “if you then know how to give good gifts to your children, then how much more will your heavenly Father give what is good to those who ask Him?" In other words, if the earth fathers take care of their son and daughter, then, of course, God the heavenly Father will take care of His son and daughters, whom He created in His image.
Because God is our heavenly father, we should pray and trust in Him, who withholds nothing good back from those who walk uprightly (Psalm Chapter 84, Verse 11). The apostle Paul encourages us to pray when we are anxious. Philippians Chapter 4, Verses 6–7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving and let your request be made known to God. And, the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” Besides praying, we also need to trust in Him, who works all things together for good for those who love Him (Romans Chapter 8, Verse 28). Psalm Chapter 53, Verse 6 says, “when I am afraid, I will trust in You.”
If you are fighting this battle against anxiety, just come to Jesus, for He is the one who cares. In Matthew Chapter 11, Verses 28–30, Jesus says, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Dat Nguyen is a student at the Master’s Seminary and a member of Grace Community Church in Los Angeles, California. He desires to be a faithful minister of the Word of God. He loves playing basketball and American football and watching movies.