Anxiety is certainly a common visitor these days as we watch the culture become increasingly hostile to Christianity.
But wait…anxiety is a sin.
The message we heard at church this morning meshed with the 40th chapter of Isaiah I had just read and I left feeling so free from anxiety. Free, and at peace, and almost ecstatic.
And ever more inspired as a mother!
I’ll try to be brief as the thoughts overflow from a storehouse tonight, but the message discussed how our eschatology “comes out our fingertips” and determines the way we live and think.
Eschatology is one’s view of the end times.
Unpopular as it may be, we believe in a “post-millennium” view of the end times. We believe (and our belief is based on much-studied Scripture and commentary, not just a “picked out of the air theology) that the Bible teaches before the final end of times, the world will actually grow increasingly more saturated with the gospel.
A brief look at our small time and space right here in history doesn’t seem to point to that view, but a broad sweep of history, over the last 6,000 years reveals that God’s kingdom has steadily gained momentum in the world.
As such, we believe that man’s taking dominion is still in progress, and that God delights in working generationally (always has) through time and that the work we are doing now will have an impact on the culture for years to come.
We do not believe in cowering in a corner, holding on by our fingernails watching the sky for His return at any second. We look forward to it, YES, but we believe there is still work to do, (“when you see these signs–wars, natural disasters, etc….the time is NOT YET come”).
We know that God is sovereign, NOTHING surprises Him, not one molecule is out of His control, and His purposes are being fulfilled in everything.
AND…we are an integral part of that plan! We are not to fret over evildoers, but to persevere in obedience, not grow weary in well-doing, and REJOICE always, especially amidst a dark and gloomy culture.
We cherish the womb because it is our first perpetuation of the gospel through the ages. We think generationally–what can I do now that will impact my grandchildren? How am I raising my children to bring up another strong, godly generation? We are important stepping stones in the fulfilling of God’s ultimate purposes.
Hang on, gals! Walk straight, let serenity be your cloak; look nowhere but heavenward for your cues. And see in your children your great-grand children, and let that spur you on to finish the race that is set before you.
Do not be dismayed at what is around you! “The nations are as a drop in the bucket”, says the Lord”–from Isaiah 40
For even Satan is bound by the Word of the Lord and is only allowed reign where God gives it.
10 comments
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for your message of hope. Thank you for reminding me that anxiety is a sin. Thank you for reminding me to think generationaly, not just about todays political woes! Thank you! 🙂
I read just recently that, while our concerns are natural things that we can take to the Lord, anxiety is, indeed, a sin. Thank you for yet another reminder of this important truth. When we can confess this sin (which the world often tells us is not sin) then we can really move toward healing and, as you said, keeping on with the work that needs to be done.
~Bethany
Kelly,
Beautifully written.
Well put.
Deanna
I love this. Thank you!
I love this. Thank you!
Anxiety over world events is something we, too, have been struggling with.
One thing that helps me is to realize that we are the earthly shepherds that Yahweh has placed over a part of His flock (our children) and our job is to work FOR Him in doing everything we can to guide them and keep them safe, but ultimately, they are HIS sheep, not ours and their ultimate safety rests with Him.
We have to remember that we as moms and dads are also members of His flock and He is our Great Shepherd.
Love, Beth
Well written! Amen!
Being anxious and being responsible are two different things. Instead of allowing worry to overtake us, we should participate in making things better. 🙂
I would respectfully disagree with the concept that all anxiety is a sin. Anxiety is a consequence of the fall, and it can absolutely lead to sin, but it is not – in an of itself – sin. Rather, it is a natural (and mostly biological) reaction to extreme stress.
I will leave the physiological response details to those better versed than I, but what I KNOW is that our Lord Jesus, who was without sin at any time in His life, was so anxious/stressed out in the time approaching His crucifixion that He sweated blood. Sweating blood is a rare (but medically known) reaction to extreme stress and anxiety called hematidrosis.
So anxiety is not a sin in an of itself, but if we do not cast our anxieties on Him and trust Him to take care of us, THAT is a lack of faith and is sin.
I am feeling merciful today, so I will reserve comment on postmillenial theology, because this comment is already too long hehe. 🙂 God bless!
lazarquita–I agree with your point, and really didn’t intend for it to be a deep, theologicaly thought, only that we are given a *command* to “be anxious for nothing”, and so typically, living in anxiety would be disobedience to that command and, as you pointed out, a lack of faith in God. This is the anxiety most of us are familiar with and I think it is far too often overlooked as something that displeases God.