Right now I am doing a series of sermons entitled "Rest" based on Hebrews 4. We are looking at the ways in which God has called us and provided for us to be able to rest in His grace and love in every aspect of our lives. You can listen and get the notes here.
In my devotional reading of Spurgeon yesterday I was taken aback by what he said about being anxious. He said in essence that it is a sin and an affront to God.
Here is a portion of what he wrote.
The precept to avoid anxious care is earnestly inculcated by our Saviour, again and again; it is reiterated by the apostles; and it is one which cannot be neglected without involving transgression: for the very essence of anxious care is the imagining that we are wiser than God, and the thrusting ourselves into his place to do for him that which he has undertaken to do for us. We attempt to think of that which we fancy he will forget; we labour to take upon ourselves our weary burden, as if he were unable or unwilling to take it for us. Now this disobedience to his plain precept, this unbelief in his Word, this presumption in intruding upon his province, is all sinful.
3 comments:
This could be a loaded question b/c there is anxiety and then there is anxiety disorder.
If we're talking about anxiety, not an anxiety disorder, I believe it's (anxiety/worrying) is sinful based upon what Scripture has to say about it. In Matt. 6:34, Jesus tells us not to worry. Therefore, worrying is doing what we should not do which equals a sin.
As for anxiety disorder, I do believe that it is a sickness that needs professional attention. I also believe it prompts a person to needlessly be anxious and therefore also causes him/her to sin.
Nice distinction, Chad. That is very helpful.
I agree that we should not be anxious. However, anxiety/fear/worry are merely symptoms of the sin of doubt. This is an area where I used to struggle something fierce, but because of the strength of Him whom I am anchored to, I am struggling less and less. By grace I have been taught to meditate on God's revealed character and His word (rhema) until all opposing messages are decapitated. In the U.S. Army Infantry we were taught in massive repititions that we as soldiers could mentally handle serious stressors by "taking a knee and drinkng water." As Christians we can withstand anything by meditating on the truth. Being still and knowing he is God/or take a knee and drink water.
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