Relying on and trusting in Christ is the remedy for anxiety.
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Anxiety: Knowing God’s Peace - Whether you experience nagging worry or debilitating panic, God’s Word offers hope and help. In this 31-day devotional, pastor and biblical counselor Paul Tautges delves deeply, but gently, into the heart of fear and unbelief, using daily readings, reflection questions, and practical application to fuel the faith that strengthens inner security and peace.
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Even the great Apostle Paul had moments of despair.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and I can hear you thinking, “What did I hear you say?” Well, you heard me right. Paul knew Scripture like the back of his hand, and he had consummate trust in the Lord. Nevertheless, Paul had pressures in his life. I mean, big pressures. In 2 Corinthians 11, he lists one danger after the next: people out to kill him, constantly going hungry, sleepless nights, shipwrecks and more, and then he adds in verse 28, “And… I have the daily pressure of my anxiety for all the churches.” One burden after the next can make for a lot of anxiety. But Paul wasn’t embarrassed to share his struggle. He confessed his anxiety when he writes to his friends in Corinth, saying, “We do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of even life itself.” So, Paul was inasmuch saying, “I don’t think I can live through this.”
And maybe you can resonate with the great apostle and his struggles. Sure, you don’t have the daily pressure of anxiety for all the churches, but you well may have the daily pressure of anxiety for your family’s needs, your health challenges, finances, or a whole range of things over which you have no control. And I join you here. I have got the daily pressure of finding caregiving help as I get older; that and staying on top of my health, and of course, there’s always the work at Joni and Friends. Now, c’mon, like Paul, I’m not complaining, I’m just stating life as it is. So, what do we do?
Well, let me take you back to the Apostle Paul’s story. Because he always knew where to turn. Right before he told his friends in Corinth that he was burdened beyond his strength and despairing of life itself, he says that the God of all comfort, encourages him in all his afflictions. God knows, God cares, God sees, and he’s not about to abandon Paul. The Lord stood beside him and strengthened him with supernatural support.
Now, you may think, “Okay, but I’m not an apostle; I’m not in a class with Paul. Besides, even comfort from God is not going to change all the pressure I’m under. Well, I’ll speak from experience here: those pressures that burden you [the pressures that burden me] strip us of all self-reliance. So, I see Paul’s point when he says, “All these things happened that I might not rely on myself, but on God.” Relying on and trusting in Christ is the remedy for anxiety [not on the lessening of the pressure or the improvement of our circumstances]. No, I’m still in a wheelchair. I still have health problems. I still require a lot of caregiving, but I know Christ won’t abandon me. I have got his strength to see me through. And having Christ as my anchor – that’s what delivers me from all the crippling effects of anxiety.
Well, I’ve got a great little book to give you today. It’s a book called “Anxiety: Knowing God’s Peace.” I should tell you that the author, Paul Tautges is a pastor and a biblical counselor, but he too has struggled with anxiety. He knows a lot about the topic. And I’d love to give you a free copy of this special book on anxiety. It’s filled with Scripture, practical advice, and lots of hope. So, order your copy today – it’s free – at joniradio.org. And use the code Radio Gift when you order. Again, it’s called “Anxiety: Knowing God’s Peace.” And you can find it at joniradio.org. Let the comfort of God see you through with whatever you’re facing today.
© Joni and Friends