Fear & worries? None of this with Faith & Trust

Deutsch

To be consumed by fear and worry. In view of the seemingly unreal developments in this world, the joy of life is visibly going down the drain. “A completely unnecessary fear,” says the believer with a firm trust in God’s promises.

Concerns about developments

Everything seems to be going downhill. The unrest and catastrophes in this world, which have so far only been observed from a distance, are getting closer. Just looking at the surroundings is enough to clearly see the growing tensions within society. In some metropolitan areas, the adversity has long since reached their own front door. Things won’t get better, because where “climate research” talks about an approaching tipping point, society has already passed it. In any case, a topic that relies on “faith-based narratives” (Info).

In addition, there are rising prices, higher taxes and less money for the most necessary things such as food, housing and heating in the cold seasons. The list of worries could be extended almost endlessly.

Causes of worry will increase

Unmistakably, worries and fears about the future continue to spread. The broad media in particular provide support here. Excessive fear and worries unsettle, paralyze and can even prevent rational decisions. The clear mind is clouded. At a certain point, the person plagued by worries becomes dependent on third parties and would be delighted if there was finally a solution that would help them out of their misery.

In view of the multitude of increasing problems and their apparent goal-directedness, one involuntarily gets the impression that this development is desirable. Wanted and also encouraged by the person who is already promising solutions that sound popular and also a (supposed) way out of this misfortune.

Worries must be overcome

The apparent decline of the “old order” cannot be prevented. Any participation, regardless of which of the opposing parties, thereby makes itself a pawn in the large-scale game (Info). Only those who can overcome what drives people into their respective camps and incites them against each other are in a good position to simply gratefully reject the “big offer” to solve all problems. Because this “solution to all problems” only leads from the rain to the final straw.

Overcoming it is achieved simply by avoiding fear and worry, despite the ever-approaching storm. Only very few people are likely to be able to be completely free from worries, as this already borders on being undifferentiated. But the paralyzing fear that distorts reality and prevents us from making sensible, rational decisions is as unnecessary as a goiter. This must be avoided at all costs.

The gospel knows fear and worry

The gospel knows people’s fears and worries. Every age of humanity had the same and contemporary individual fears and worries. However, the Word of God does not call for one to wallow in one’s worries, but rather points out directly and indirectly that all worries are “for the birds”.

In any case, concerns about one’s own well-being in the future are limited by a believer to a far greater extent than by a secular person. While the worldly person worries about possibly losing his savings or assets, having to give up a well-paid job, or no longer being able to achieve the goal he has set out due to adversity, all of this falls away for the believer. But as a rule, worries remain about the family, food, clothing, and a permanent, safe place to stay. The fear of losing even basic necessities has already penetrated millions of households.

Fear and anxiety are unnecessary

Jesus Christ gave a clear rejection of worries, Matthew 6:25-27:
“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?“

The Savior himself, together with his subsequent disciples, set the best example. At the beginning of the hike, Jesus Christ asked His disciples not to take anything unnecessary with them. No stick, no (spare) shoes, no bags. Only what everyone was wearing should be taken with them. This meant they had less equipment with them than an “ultralight hiker” would take with them today. At the end of their wanderings, Jesus Christ asked if the disciples had ever lacked anything. They all said no. They neither had to suffer hunger nor thirst.

Avoid or overcome paralysis

As a matter of fact. Concern about something must first and foremost be measured by the demands made. This is the difference between actual need and the desire to possess. Jesus Christ related His statement to the essentials of life, i.e. eating and drinking.

Regardless, worrying about a single stroke doesn’t help. Paralyzed by fear, people are, in addition to their unnecessary worries, prevented from actively doing anything about the feared development. To achieve this, people themselves are called upon to lend a hand. The positive changes never come about by staying horizontal in bed and staring at the ceiling with worry, Ecclesiastes 9:10a:
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;“

True faith is also trust

Real and sincere faith is not simply the belief that there was an itinerant preacher named Jesus around 2,000 years ago, but the faith as demonstrated by Jesus Christ himself. This true faith shows not only faith in His saving deeds, His blood sacrifice for our sins, but also faith in the promises of God. If God clarifies, describes and promises something, then that is it. When God promises to take care of his own, that is what happens. Thus, sincere faith is also shown in trust in what God has promised. With the firm confidence that it will come true. The proverbial blind trust. Peter called for people to have appropriate trust in God. 1 Peter 5:7:
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.“

We humans cannot begin to imagine how it is possible to keep an eye on everyone and everything at the same time and to have the right answer to every single event, no matter how tiny. Therefore, it may be difficult to have complete trust in this idea. But even the most sophisticated science doesn’t even know how life actually comes into being. Although this has been ubiquitous for many millennia, there is still no answer to it. But it’s everyday life and seems somehow “logical and self-evident”.

God has everything in view

But God has everything in view and can therefore also take care of His faithful people in the deepest turmoil, Luke 12:6-7:
“Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.“

This is where the limitation becomes visible. The sincere believer has every reason to go through the world without frowning and to be able to shake off all worries. God’s help in overcoming obstacles that seem insurmountable is not a blanket distribution. Paul also stated this, Romans 8:28:
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.“

Those who sincerely follow God can indeed leave all worries behind, for God’s promise is to care for His own. True faith also contains firm trust in it. Then worries, fear and anxiety are forgotten. This makes life still worth living even in dark times.

Proverbs 15:13:
“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”

Proverbs 17:22:
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.“

Mental and physical health

Freedom from worries and a life without fear and anxiety also promote mental and ultimately physical health. In addition, the constant worry does not leave its mark on the character, because Matthew 13:22:
“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.“

Worry, anxiety and fear are completely unnecessary, show a lack of trust in God, damage the body and mind and corrupt the character. In addition, grueling thoughts and feelings cannot improve the situation at all. Faith and the associated trust in God’s promises overcome all this.

Bible verses from King James Version