FAITH OR ANXIETY?

1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17; Acts 23:11-35; Psalm 3:1-8; Proverbs 18:14-15

“The next morning a group of Jews got together and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.”

“But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain.”

“The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit?”

I am not one to find the devil behind every adversity or tragedy humanity experiences. However, over the last several days, it does seem to have become clearer that our current situation is much more the result of ongoing spiritual warfare than economic or political crisis. We are absolutely overwhelmed by bad news on every front. We are at war with some exceedingly real and tangible enemies. But the toughest opponent of all is found within, and he fights very dirty indeed. Satan is the one who most effectively undermines our hope. The battle for my soul is the center of my insecurity. No doubt it is reflected millions of times over in the hearts of Christians everywhere. The Enemy’s war cry is excruciatingly plain: “Jesus cannot save you from this!” And, so help me God, there are times that voice is terrifyingly difficult to ignore, much less overcome.

If we are going to be intellectually honest, we have to own the problem of faith. There is simply no obvious connection between our spiritual beliefs and the satisfaction of our physical needs. How does faith feed a family, or put or keep a roof over our heads. How can God grant wisdom to politicians and generals who deny His existence? How does spiritual devotion supplement a 401k? Jesus clearly said we are not to worry about our clothes or food. He promised God would provide. Then, why are people starving, destitute and without hope? Because, just as Jesus warned, Satan is the Lord of this world. As the “visiting team,” believers cede home court advantage in secular matters. Our hope rests in eternity. Consequently, if we are to challenge Satan’s dominion on earth, we have to begin with an eternal perspective.

It works like this. Several years ago, I was doing my typical venting after our pastor’s annual “tithe or you’re not a good Christian” sermon. (For the record, I have never accepted the Church’s dogma that we only give to God when we use the church’s address, but that’s for another day.) My concern at the time was how unsympathetic and judgmental the mantra sounded to seekers who felt a tithe simply irresponsible or impossible in light of their means and needs.  My wife saw things completely differently. “Tom,” she said, “who’s to say that the blessings and abundance we enjoy now are not directly related to the amount we have invested in faith in the Kingdom, even when we could not afford it?” Good point. And therein lies the essence of faith. We give of ourselves, regardless. We challenge the Spirit to refill and refuel us. We live lives sold out to Him because we understand that just because we do not or cannot see any logical relationship between our spiritual faith and the satisfaction of our physical and economic needs does not mean there is not any.

When we get right down to it, most of life comes down to a very simple battle: trust or anxiety. Anxiety is a fundamentally worthless and wasteful emotion. It wears on us and drains us of creativity and initiative. However illogical it may seem, faith is the better choice. We already know our own limitations, and they give us little reason for hope. Why not trust Christ, take Him at His Word, and see what happens? At the very least, it puts the battle for our souls in the right place. If I’m going to go to war with Satan, I’d prefer to do it on the Lord’s home court. Christ doesn’t want us consumed with worry; He wants us obsessed with trust in Him. Worry hasn’t helped anyone. Maybe faith is the better option. 

[For a little more encouragement on this subject, check out the Comment on yesterday's blog.  Very worthwhile reminder! T]