Something positive to be anxious about …

If you didn’t know anyone suffering from anxiety prior to the COVID-19 global pandemic, you probably do now.

In fact, it might even be you!

Experiencing a pandemic, along with widespread civil unrest, churches not holding in-person gatherings, and an overall upending of “normal” has greatly exacerbated a pre-existing mental health crisis. Surveys have revealed a significant uptick in the number of people reporting they feel fearful, stressed, and even depressed.

Simply put, many people are anxious about surviving today’s troubles and what a “new normal” might look like.

It’s understandable that a person living in 2020’s challenging circumstances might feel anxious. While the feeling of anxiety might be “understandable,” it isn’t good for any of us. George Mueller once said about anxiety, “The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.” Arthur Somers Roche described anxiety like this, “Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all others thoughts are drained.”

It’s because of the harmful affects anxiety creates in us mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually that the Bible often gives us exhortation to be intentional about not being anxious. For example:

“Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus,” Philippians 4:6-7 (NET).

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you,” 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV).

“Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, ‘That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life — whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?'” Luke 12:22-26 (NLT).

“I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid,” John 14:27 (NLT).

With that said, does the Bible actually give us something positive to be “anxious” about?

Sort of.

In a little letter written by Jude placed near the end of our Bibles comes an exhortation to Christians that seems so relevant to life in 2020. First, Jude writes:

“But you, beloved, ought to remember the words that were spoken beforehand by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, that they were saying to you, ‘In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts.’ These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit,” Jude 1:17-19 (NASB).

Now read closely the exhortation Jude provides:

“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting anxiously for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life,” Jude 1:20-21 (NASB).

It’s the New American Standard Bible that chose to interpret this passage with the phrase, “waiting anxiously.” The original language could be interpreted as waiting with expectation, or even better, with hopeful expectation. The idea, though, that our waiting is so energetically expectant, and hopefully so, that you might think of it as a positive form an being anxious!

So how do you get through times that foster fear and stress and depression? By having an energetic, hopeful expectation on the coming mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ! The New Living Translation puts it this way: “But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.”

If you insist on being anxious over something, follow Jude’s advice.

Scotty