Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 ESV
Our Scripture passage is God talking to Joshua. Joshua was about to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. There would be the Jordan River to cross and many battles to fight before they were settled into the land God had promised their forefather Abraham. Joshua was under a lot of pressure and may have been feeling a lot of stress. One thing we know about Joshua is that he was faithful. He trusted the Lord. He was blessed, and God had chosen him to take over for Moses.
I like to consider myself faithful, but there are times I wonder. Like when my doctor tells me I’m extremely stressed. Just when I thought I had shoved all the “negative” issues in my life back in a little closet in my mind, they have escaped. And I am stressed out.
I often see the words, “Too Blessed to be Stressed” on t-shirts and bumper stickers. I’d like to think that this refers to me. The good Lord has blessed me way more than I deserve, so why am I stressed? Sadly, I’m not alone; many people these days are stressed. In fact, according to Fortune Business Insights, Grand View Research, and Anheurope.org, the pharmaceutical companies are benefitting greatly from our stress. They made a reported 15.42 billion dollars last year and are projected to make over 19 billion by 2030 from sales of anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications.
We are seeing more crime, more family issues, more drug usage, and overdoses. It’s easy to see why people are stressed. I often refer to 2 Timothy 3:1-6 when people talk about how dangerous the world is today. This passage talks about how evil men will be in the end times. I truly believe this is the cause. But what is the cure?
The Bible lists several cures for anxiety. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.” Matthew 6:33 tells us to put God first, and He will take care of all we need. And my favorite, which is Romans 8:28, tells us God works all things for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.
Worry never helps a situation; it only causes harm to the worrier. Jesus said in Matthew 6:27, “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
Unfortunately, no passage in the Bible tells us we will have a trouble-free life here on earth. We will face many battles to get to our Promised Land. Trials and tribulations cause us to grow in our faith. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.”
We should pray continually, but we should especially be in prayer for these things that cause us stress. A friend also reminded me of the Serenity Prayer yesterday. It was written by theologian Reinhold Niebuhr in the 1930s. It says, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” This is the short version, but the long version goes on to say, “Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace; Taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is; Not as I would have it; Trusting that You will make all things right if I surrender to Your will; so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.
Don’t be afraid or dismayed, be courageous, knowing that God is with you every step of the way. Surrender your life to His will and trust in Him. Give your anxiety to Him, and He will give you peace. A pretty good trade if you ask me.
Have a great day!