Have you ever experienced anxiety? Until I found freedom from its grasp, I lived with it most of my life. I encourage you to use this Prayer for Overcoming Anxiety from an earlier post, but it’s also helpful to know where anxiety is born. Anxiety comes from obsessing over future events out of our control. It may express itself physically and emotionally, but it’s rooted in a spiritual need described in the book of James.
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Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. (James 4:14 ESV)
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This verse is a stark reminder that our earthly lives are a lot more fragile than we pretend they are. We can’t brag about what we’ll do tomorrow because in all reality, there might not be a tomorrow for us—and even if there is, our tomorrow might be completely turned upside down. We can never really create our own path because God alone is capable of knowing the future. And because He’s the only one who knows the future, God is the only one that can navigate the future.
The problem with trying to control your own life is this: you have no way of navigating a path you know nothing about. We make decisions and plans based on faulty emotions or at best, incomplete knowledge. God has the full picture (beginning to end), but we can only make choices based on what’s right in front of us.
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Let me give you an example from my own life.
When I was running away from God by moving to New York, I arrived in the middle of the night at an apartment I’d never seen with no real knowledge of where I was in the city. The next morning I went out to explore my new kingdom, but I wanted to make sure I could get back. I looked for a landmark and when I got to the end of the block I said, “Oh Good! A Starbucks. I’ll just remember that I live near the Starbucks.” Yeah, some of you already see where this is going.
This little country boy went another block and said, “Two Starbucks this close to each other? Okay. Awesome. I live by the two Starbucks!” Well, five or six Starbucks later, I was completely lost. You see, I was making plans based on what was in front of me, but without an understanding of what was coming down the road, I didn’t really know how to navigate.
How many of us make plans for the day only to have them completely blown up by something unexpected? It might be something small, but it can be catastrophic.
If you’re on your own path with no knowledge of the future and something terrible happens tomorrow, you have no idea where to go—you’re lost, but if you’re on the path of the One who made tomorrow, He can make the path clear. Look at this promise:
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In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:6 NKJV)
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That’s the key to releasing our anxieties about tomorrow. But we don’t do that because most of us go through life thinking tomorrow is assured. It’s not. As a care pastor, I have people come through my office every day whose lives have been devastated by the loss of a loved one, or a marriage, or a job. Nothing in this world is assured. We’re all one phone-call away from our lives being changed forever—and in that moment, the map we’ve been trying to create for our lives mean nothing.
Remember how James compared our lives to a mist?
The Greek word (atmis) that’s used here can also mean vapor or steam. Have you ever watched the fleeting nature of steam rolling off your morning cup of coffee? I don’t know about you, but the fleshly part of me doesn’t like the idea of my life being compared to steam. It’s unpredictable, you can’t control it, and it disappears after a few moments. It has no substance.
That thought can be terrifying if you’re trying to create your own path. But if you use that knowledge to turn to God, it can bring incredible wisdom and direction to your life. That’s why Moses prayed:
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12 NIV)
We can’t know the future so we have to change our perspective. We have to change our focus from what we want to accomplish to what God wants to accomplish in and through us.
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Anxiety in the Mist | Where does stress come from and how do we learn to trust God? | #Anxiety #ChristianLiving #Discipleship Click To TweetÂ
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This article was originally published in Refresh Bible Study Magazine and Feed Your Soul with the Word of God, which is currently a finalist in the BRMCWC Selah Awards.
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I recognize the truth in everything you write about here and am familiar with all the scripture used. However, the stress hormones flooding my brain this week make me forget them. Thank you for reminder that “…if you’re on the path of the One who made tomorrow” I have nothing to fear.
Anxiety can be a tough thing to deal with, and it seems worse in our advanced, modern world. We cannot go wrong with turning to God for guidance.
You’re so right. It appears everything in our society is geared toward creating anxiety. May we all learn to lean on God’s guidance over the world’s panic.
“The problem with trying to control your own life is this: you have no way of navigating a path you know nothing about. We make decisions and plans based on faulty emotions or at best, incomplete knowledge. God has the full picture (beginning to end), but we can only make choices based on what’s right in front of us.” We can make plans, and move forward with them, but always keeping in mind that we need to hold them loosely. Being attentive to the Spirit’s promptings and inspiration helps us to navigate our way or change or modify our plans. I once saw a sign that said, “If you want to make God laugh, make plans.” So true that we naively make plans and try to force them to happen, while God has much better plans and directions for us!
Holding our plans loosely is a great way to put it, Anne. That allows us to move with the Spirit instead of working against Him. Thanks so much for your insightful comment.
“We can’t know the future so we have to change our perspective. We have to change our focus from what we want to accomplish to what God wants to accomplish in and through us.” This is the point that reminds me that even though we go through trials, God has the Plan and His is always the best pathway for us. Although I know this, in times of trial and worry, I need a reminder. Thank you, Joshua.
You’re welcome, Katherine. You’re not the only one that needs to be reminded of this truth. I think many of us (and I am the greatest offender) want to follow God’s plan, but get distracted by our own desires. The more I focus on what I want, the more I hold tightly to my own plan.
Seeing life the way God does is the key to overcoming anxiety. One of my favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:6-7. I rely on that a lot .
What a wonderful scripture, Barabara. God wants to give us His peace, but when we try to follow our own plans, we turn away from the peace He is offering us.
Very good Josh. This reminds me to be productive and stop procrastinating. Thank you!
Ah yes, procrastination is my constant companion. I’m procrastinating from writing this week’s post right now. 🙂 I’m glad you found the post encouraging.
There is such liberation and comfort in this, Joshua. To think I am responsible for creating my path makes me feel so anxious, but when I remember all I need to do is follow God’s path for me, my anxieties crumble into nothing and I am strong in the Lord. Thank you for this.
This is so beautifully said, Jessica. God wants us to have His peace and strength. May He teach us how to surrender our own path for the greater journey he has prepared for us.
Loved the story when I first read it in “Feed Your Soul”; have come to love it more when I read it again a few moments ago. Anxiety is indeed worrying about something and some time that we have zero control over. We can, with time and effort, learn to “Let go and let God” guide our lives. I often lament how many detours I’ve taken in trying to direct my own path rather than following God’s. Yet, I praise Him for being the patient navigator for my life.
How well I know the regret of detours, my friend. I knew I was called to the ministry at 14… and even in my rebellion, I never doubted that call. I just refused (I had a bit of a Jonah complex). Those detours caused a great deal of anxiety, depression, and stress in my life. I love what you just wrote. Praise God that He is the “patient navigator of my life.” Amen.
Thanks Joshua. In the midst of a major move right now and it is really misty!! Appreciate the post.
May the Lord encourage and strengthen you in your move, and may you sense His direction and hope.
I personally do not suffer from anxiety, but I have seen what it does to people. Anxiety breeds fear. While I am thankful I have not had to deal with ongoing fear in my life, I have experienced bouts with it. I don’t wish that on anyone. As you stated, “Anxiety comes from obsessing over future events out of our control.” Anxiety, fear, and control are strongholds, but in Christ, there is Freedom. Thanks for your post!
I could not agree with you more, Stephanie. Anxiety, fear, and control are traps the enemy uses to draw us away from God. Thank you for your compassion and wise words.
Great piece Josh & I echo the perfect timing as well. Thanks again!
Thanks, Neil. I’m so glad God’s timing is better than ours. 🙂
Even though I’ve read this before in the Refresh magazine, it was exactly what I needed today. I don’t know the future, but God does. He knows how best to use me for His glory. I have to let go of my plans so He can direct my paths. Thanks for sharing.
Isn’t it amazing how God puts what we need to hear from Him in front of us at just the right time? I’m so grateful you found the post helpful.