September 02, 2024
We all become anxious at times. Our limited sight causes us to worry about all kinds of real and imagined fears. Rebecca Pippert said, "Whatever you fear, you serve." If we are not careful, our anxiety will drive our lives, make our decisions, and shape our futures. Worry is more crippling than we realize and can fill days, weeks, and even years with unneeded sorrow.
Most tragic is when a cure is afforded for this deadly disease, and we ignore the prescription. The Psalmist took his medicine and found relief.
"When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your consolations delight my soul." (Psalm 94:19)
It's not like he didn't understand the nature of the beast. He diagnosed the problem and ran to the only One who had the cure. He understood that …
So, what is the cure?
“Your consolations delight my soul.”
To console is to comfort, encourage, and relieve stress. God is the ultimate Consoler. He has a perspective we will never have. What problem has He not heard? What cure does He not possess? Which of His children is He unwilling to help when they are in pain or confusion?
To receive this calming consolation, though, we must come to Him. We must draw near enough to hear His voice. He can give us all that we need to overcome our anxiety, but it will avail us nothing if we do not approach Him.
The ever-present path to Him is prayer and His Word. His throne room is open day and night, and He never sleeps nor slumbers. We must consciously enter His presence, lay all at His feet, and take time to listen to Him. Like a sick man who refuses to go to the doctor, do not expect relief if you never draw near the Great Physician and take His prescriptions.
And when you come, don’t hurry. But remember that you will find your answer in Him, not merely a plan, program, or 7-step solution. He is enough and more. “I will set the Lord continually before me ... in Your presence is fullness of joy,” David said, and that is the answer. His presence is our ultimate consolation (Psalm 16).
The wonderful reality is not only that anxiety will cease, but you will find "delight” in your soul. More than mere understanding or dogged endurance … delight, joy, happiness! You will realize that He knows your problems and has gone before. He has all the provisions you need and is always willing to aid His children. He is our “refuge and strength; abundantly available for help when we’re in tight places” (Psalm 46:1).
His consolations are so emotionally and experientially complete that they will lift you above your worries and make your soul sing. And you will realize the point of the exercise all along was to bring you back into His presence where you were created to live.
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