“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:25-34
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4: 5-7
I know for many this is a difficult issue. Exactly how do we stop worrying and feeling anxious? Some will be harsh and say that if you worry or are anxious you have no faith in God. Or that you don’t see Him as Lord of your life. The Lord Jesus does make some very difficult statements in His sermon on the mount. They are spiritual concepts meant to break through into this physical realm. When we feel anxious or are caught in a ‘worry loop’ of thinking that should be an indicator we need to reconnect with the Holy Spirit within us for advice and counsel. What is causing me to be feeling anxious? What is on my heart that is causing me to worry and fret? Allow the Holy Spirit to reveal what the real issue is within you, and what you actually think is the issue may just be the trigger to the real root of the problem. Pride, fear, and lust can be deep seated roots within us. This is what is called ‘iniquities’, which are actually flaws within our character developed in this atmosphere of earth under the curse. We were not made to be anxious or filled with worry. But as we are in this shadowland it is often difficult to ‘see’ the spiritual reality surrounding us. We are consciously and unconsciously molded by the atmospheres we set ourselves into. We are affected by the substance that we are constantly immersed in. Some atmospheres and places are VERY toxic and deadly to the body, soul, and mind.
We are to be immersed in the Mind of Christ. How? By bringing ‘every thought captive’ to Him. We are to be cultivating the fruit of the Spirit in our lives while we encounter people throughout our day. This requires us to have constant awareness and intimacy with the Holy Spirit, listening to His guidance and instructions within our minds. We must daily be allowing the Holy Spirit to be teaching us in EVERY situation we are encountering. How? By keeping that line of communication open with Him — always. Yes … that requires you being able to discern and recognize His Voice within you. And that takes focus, discipline, and practice. Like any relationship you get to know a person by spending LOTS of time with them, and asking them questions and having conversations — especially difficult ones.
This whole life in Christ here in the shadowlands is a process. Often it is very difficult and hard. It is not easy to be ‘another creature’ from what you have known all your life. This usually requires extensive re-programming within us. He will begin to work with us in changing our ways of thinking, acting, responding, and doing. This takes lots of time and questions on your part so that you will ‘understand’.
And since He has given you ‘free will’ we can go another path at any moment. And we often do. That’s what repentance is for. Repentance in the simplest form is just doing a 180 degree turn. Stopping, turning around, and going back to the way you were instructed to go. Confession is admitting to God and yourself you were going in the wrong direction.
Are you currently filled with worry and anxiety? Then your task is to connect deeply with the Holy Spirit over and over and listen to Him. Listen and read the scriptures He brings to mind. Ponder His words to you. If you can’t discern whether or not something is from Him — find a mentor who knows His Voice and can gently guide you to understanding. That’s actually what elders are for. Today the problem is actually finding an elder that is spiritually mature and has an intimate walk with the Holy Spirit. The institutional Church as a whole has not taught people how to have that intimate practical spiritual relationship with the Holy Spirit. If they mention it or allude to it — it usually is in passing with no real guidance or instruction.
Find others who are currently really seeking a deep relationship with the Holy Spirit and are constantly helping people into that lifestyle. Here at TC2 that’s our call and heart, to help people make Jesus central to their lives in every aspect. To do that people MUST understand the role of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Begin today. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Get alone, or go for a walk and begin the conversation with Him. Now is the time.