Anxiety

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Proverbs 12:25

And that’s not the half of it, when you throw in the daily pressures and anxieties of all the churches. When someone gets to the end of his rope, I feel the desperation in my bones. When someone is duped into sin, an angry fire burns in my gut.

If I have to “brag” about myself, I’ll brag about the humiliations that make me like Jesus. 2 Corinthians 28-30 MSG

We all encounter anxiety. How we deal with it is the challenge. In myself I often recognize it late, but once I ask the Holy Spirit, I see how my anxiety is affecting my mood and demeaner. Then adjustments must be made, and in some cases sincere apologies to others because I was not aware how my anxiety was now bleeding out onto others… especially my wife.

Are you aware when anxiety is causing you to have ‘dark’ emotions and abrupt behaviors towards others? Example: Driving / road rage? Are you in close enough relationship with the Holy Spirit that He can call you out on that anxiety and behaviors from it? Do you have enough humility to go to others and ask forgiveness for your bad behavior?

How do you deal with the stresses of everyday life in this superfast ever changing and challenging world? It seems the ‘simple’ life as fled into unknown territory, and now we’re stuck in a high-pressure system that makes so many demands on us. Everyone seems to expect immediate responses to their queries and questions. Texting requirements and expectations? It seems this culture is filled with things that can constantly cause anxiety and worry. So much of the media has become fear porn. What we allow to run ‘through’ us affects us.

But we do still have free will which allows us to make choices. Are you bringing the Holy Spirit into your decision and choice making? Are you asking Him for wisdom to make the choices He wants? This is what the fruit of self-control from the Holy Spirit does in our lives. We surrender to Him our choices and He guides us into His pathways. Do you feel like you are on His path? Are you consciously aware of His direction in your life?

Why are you making the choices you are? How many choices are made from anxiety? How many are made from the suggestions from the Holy Spirit? Do you want to be reactive or responsive? To respond correctly it takes an awareness of the Holy Spirit and listening to His whisper in your mind. Can you hear Him well enough to do that? This is the way to spiritual maturity, and overcoming temptation. Choices.

Choose to worship the Father today. Choose to praise Jesus today. Choose to be grateful today. Choose to purposely listen for the Holy Spirit’s voice today. Choose to be aware of His Presence today. What we choose will determine our path.

What do you choose?