FRIDAY FIVE: WHAT LENS DO YOU SEE ANXIETY THROUGH?

Today I want to ask you a question. What lens do you see anxiety through? 

My kids both wear glasses to improve their vision. If I were to wear their glasses, everything would appear blurry—not because there is something wrong with my sight, but because I’m attempting to see the world through their lens rather than the lens that God has given me to see with.

The American Psychological Association defines anxiety as a feeling of tension and worry that's often focused on a general threat in the FUTURE.  Most of our anxiety surrounds some future event that has not yet happened.  It is the fear generally of the unknown, what could go wrong, or what might happen.

All of us will experience some level of anxiety in our lives at some point in time, this is unavoidable in our society. 

How we respond to these anxieties says much about the lens through which we see and live.  Do you give it life by complaining to others about what you fear will happen?  Do you ignore it by engrossing yourself in social media, streaming binges, or unhealthy addictions? 

The book of Philippians chapter 4:4-7 shows us how to see life through a lens that can reduce our anxiety. 

Philippians 4:5-9 says, [4] “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. [5] Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; [6] do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. [7] And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (ESV)

Your lens – “There is nothing in my life that is going well.”

His lens – Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS. 

This is not a suggestion, but rather a command for walking in peace that can’t be understood.  We need to realize that when we question this command, we are essentially saying to God, “But Lord, YOU don’t understand what I’m going through!!”

We are not rejoicing in our struggles or our disappointments.  We rejoice IN the Lord.  Focusing on the Lord takes our focus off our present struggle or challenge and forces us to find reasons (and there are always many) to Rejoice in God.  Rejoicing in the Lord reminds us that no matter what is going on in or around our lives, God is still worthy, and it shifts our perspective away from our struggles. 

Be reasonable to EVERYONE.  Much of the source of our anxiety has to do with how we interact with other people.  But what if the posture you took with everyone was reasonable or gentle?  How different would those hard conversations that are needed go?  How much more would your loved ones hear your heart instead of your frustrations? 

Your lens – “But the world doesn’t work that way, and people will look to take advantage of you…”

His lens – The Lord is at hand. God is sovereign over EVERYONE and EVERYTHING. Philippians 2:10,11 states, ‘…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.'  God will vindicate the righteous, it is for Him to do, not you.

Your lens – “So, what I’m supposed to do nothing and let people walk all over me??”

His lens – But in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

The best action we can take is to bring EVERYTHING to God in prayer and let Him know our requests.  The most chaotic times in my life have been when I’m not reading God’s word and not talking to Him about what’s going on in my life.  The most peaceful times in my life have come when I’m consistent in my word and praying ALWAYS. 

Finally, in verse 7 it says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds IN Christ Jesus.”

From our lens, it doesn’t make sense to rejoice always, be reasonable, and pray to God about everything.  But from his lens, this is the path to peace that passes all understanding and allows our hearts and minds to be guarded IN Christ.

I want to challenge you to read these verses over and over and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you, so that you may experience peace that is not logical.

Grace and Peace,

Myron L Head

“People who are very happy, especially those who are very happy in the Lord, are not apt either to give offense or to take offense. Their minds are so sweetly occupied with higher things, that they are not easily distracted by the little troubles which naturally arise among such imperfect creatures as we are. Joy in the Lord is the cure for all discord.”                 - Charles Spurgeon