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Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Worry, Anxiety and Doubt


We all have God-given dreams and desires. We start off with great expectations but when things don’t happen according to our time table, worry, anxiety and doubt start to creep in. We question if it was God. We start to weaver in our faith.

There’s nothing wrong when our mind begins to doubt and our emotions become unstable but there is nothing right remaining in this state of mind. If you’re a human being, there will be opportunities to worry, be anxious or even doubt. In times like these, it is important to remember that God’s Word and His promises are not based upon your feelings. If God has said it, He will also bring it to pass.

Recently, I ministered to an elderly couple. He had been a doctor all his life. They’ve always had enough. They came to me asking for prayer because they didn’t think they had enough to pay for their retirement. He was worried that he will outlive his money. This caused him to be depressed and unable to get out of bed. Worry is real but it’s not a sin. What is not good for us is to dwell on worry. The good news is that if you know how to worry, you know how to have faith. Faith is reverse worry! Instead of thinking, “How it will happen?” Faith will say, “I know it will happen because God said so.” The Bible says, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” Just like the senior couple, I advise you to meditate on the promises God gave you and not set your gaze on your circumstances. Instead of tuning into the doom and gloom, tune into God’s victory channel.

Anxiety sets in when we’re thrust into a problem without a clear remedy in sight. This is what happened to the disciple on the boat. A great storm arose and their tiny boat was tossed like a rubber ducky in the ocean. It was scary and the twelve strong men were anxious that their boat was going to capsize. Caught in the moment of the great tempest, they had forgotten Jesus was in their boat – sleeping. Same condition, different approach! When you’re faced with a problem, simply make sure that Jesus is on the boat with you. And in case you’re wondering, He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you. When you grasp hold of who is on the boat with you, you can face any of life’s storms that come at you. He is not only with you; He is for you!

Many times we talk about Thomas in a negative connotation. Some have labeled him as “doubting Thomas.” We discriminate people who have doubts in the promises of God. I like to think that doubt only proves that you have a brain! But when we doubt, we allow our mind to arrest what God had promised. Faith and human understanding cannot be mixed. That is why the Bible teaches, “We must have child-like faith.” Always remember, doubt in our mind doesn’t keep Him from being God and fulfilling His promises. That is why Jesus skipped a bunch of His close disciples and touched Thomas. Friend, doubt in your heart if you have to but never doubt in your heart. God will deliver what He has promised.

Today, I speak God’s faithfulness over your life. You will not worry, you will not faint. You will give birth to the promises God placed upon your life. Be of good cheer!

“Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31 NIV).

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