The National Anxiety Center in New Jersey lists the following as America’s Top Ten 2010 Anxieties:
1. Out of Control Government Spending
2. Iran
3. Afghanistan War
4. The Economy
5. Inflation
6. Medicare
7. Illegal Immigration and Amnesty
8. Education
9. Diet and Health
10. American Culture
Any of these on your “top ten” list? Maybe your list looks a little different: Family, Friends, Significant Other, Finding a Job, Passing Finals, Choosing a Major, Fitting In, Looking Good, Being Successful…Some of these are on mine. I like what Chuck Swindoll says though: “While nobody has the same list, all lists have the same effect.” The very root of the word “anxiety” means to choke or to suffocate. Anxiety chokes the joy and the clear thinking out of our lives. It distracts our focus. Remember what Paul wrote in Philippians? Read this out loud:
”Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy–meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:4-9)
How inspiring is that?! We don’t have to fear the chaos in the world or the confusion in our lives. We are instructed to be anxious for nothing. It’s a hard lifetime lesson, and we have to purposefully pass off our anxieties to God instead of dwelling on them. We have to choose to focus on the things or the perspectives that are good, noble, and true. If you’ve given your life to the Lord, then it is His! You need only to put your trust in Him, focus only on Him, and He will use your life for His glory. Sounds a lot better to me than the alternative!
http://factsnotfantasy.blogspot.com/2009/12/2010s-top-anxieties.html
http://www.insight.org/broadcast/