How many times have you shown up embarrassingly early to someone’s birthday party?

For me, the answer to that one would be: Er, too many to count.

I’ve waited in parking lots and entryways to party halls more times than I care to remember. I’ve helped friends haul armfuls of decorations and cakes with way too much frosting—not because I want to lend a hand, but because I’m ridiculously “punctual” (aka, crazy early).

But that doesn’t stop me from panicking before the next event and ensuring that everyone gets out of our house on time because “Guys, we CAN NOT be late.”

I feel a sense of dread in my veins if I’m not waiting for at least ten minutes for a friend to show up to an appointment/ lunch/coffee, although a 20-minute wait is infinitely preferable.

That’s not all.

I recently realized that I was actually being polite to my Alexa because I didn’t want to make her/ it feel bad.

That’s right—my panic at displeasing people extended to an inanimate object powered by Amazon. My heart rate goes through the roof if I feel like I may be offending someone, inconveniencing them, causing discomfort, or stepping on their toes in any way, shape, or form.

Umm, that’s not all either.

I can tell you about how I hover over my teens, worry about my husband’s health, stress about my parents getting older, fret about missed opportunities, get anxious about my kids’ college admissions four years from now, get sweaty palms when I think about driving through peak-hour traffic… Let’s just say the list runs impressively long. But, hey, I don’t want to bog you down. I have this sneaky feeling you might have your own list too.

But here’s the thing: God knows about our anxious thoughts from afar and He gives us ways of tackling our worries.

In my latest Bible Plan for the YouVersion app, I’ve unpacked some of the tools God lays out in His Word for dealing with anxiety.

But before you dive into the devotional, can we look at how the gospel informs our anxiety? If the gospel is meant to shape our whole lives, then how does this good news redirect and refocus our sense of worry?

Here’s the thing: The Cross undoubtedly speaks of the Lord’s grace in saving us. But it also speaks of His daily grace in sustaining us and shaping us.  The good news spills into every part of our lives and has the potential to sculpt and contour the odd angles and awkward bends of our beings. Here’s how the gospel can reframe our anxiety.

When we survey the wonderous Cross, we encounter the astonishing, radical love of a God who gave up everything for us. Won’t He who is Perfect Love also take care of every situation that wreaks anxiety in our lives?

When we ponder that cruel Cross, we encounter the power of a God who rescued us from darkness and brought us into the light. We realize how utterly impotent, helpless, and inadequate we are in saving ourselves, in redeeming our story by our own efforts. Won’t He who is all-powerful and in control also rescue us from every panic-inducing situation in our lives?

When we behold that awe-inspiring Cross, we encounter the amazing grace of God who called us to Himself when we were still blinded by unbelief. We are compelled to trust the God who pulled us out of the mire when we didn’t deserve it. Won’t He who is full of grace and beauty also set our feet on the Rock when we find ourselves sliding on the slippery slope of worry?

Legalism says to anxiety, “Get over it already.”

Relativism says to anxiety, “Just pour out your feelings.”

But the gospel focuses on the heart and frees us to depend on God who is all-powerful, perfectly loving, and full of grace.

(And, yes, I might have just gone all Tim Keller on you with that!)

The gospel points to God’s sufficiency in every situation, including when worry tends to be our default response.

If you are going through a season of anxiety, look to the Cross. In beholding His power in rescuing us, we confront our helplessness. And in accepting our utter dependence on God we are freed from the trap of trying to “fix” or control our situation.

While the gospel reframes our thinking,  God also shows us to deal with anxiety in daily, practical ways. My e-booklet, Shut the Door on Anxiety is now revised and available on the Bible app/ YouVersion as a six-day plan
“Do Not Be Anxious…” But, How??

I pray that this Bible Plan will bless you and equip you for those times when anxiety comes knocking.

(To start your 6-day devotional on #youversion click here.

 

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