Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “That’s the whole story. Here now is my conclusion. Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.”
Anxiety and fear are the most common problems we all encounter throughout our lifetime. Anxiety usually involves a fear of what could or might happen. Fear is more convincing oneself that what is most dreaded will happen. When we become anxious, a chemical reaction occurs where adrenalin pumps into the body, triggering a fight-or-flight response to our thinking, which often increases the longer we allow those thoughts to batter us. But if we would pause and instead took every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Cor. 10:5b), speaking out the promises of Scripture, we would have our insecurities redirected to being free of this stronghold. But we have to apply doing so by closing the door to anxiety, worry, and fears. We know Romans 8:28-29 which tells us, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, and are called according to his purpose for them.” So why do we, why do I often struggle in worrying about uncertainties, or maybe something we (I) feel was stupid that we (I) said will cause someone’s lack of approval for us? Have you been there too?
In his book Trusting God, Jerry Bridges defines trust as “Trust is not a passive state of mind. It is a vigorous act of the soul whereby we choose to lay hold on the promises of God and cling to them despite the adversity that sometimes seeks to overwhelm us.” That is our answer: clinging to the promises of God when anxiety, fear, worry, and longing for approval invade our hearts and minds. Matthew 6:27 needs to be said to oneself: “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life.” “If you have laid your best plans in the Lord’s hands, you can turn your attention away from tomorrow. You need no longer be concerned about that, but your concern, your efforts, your energies, all that you have now can be poured into today. That is the key that locks the door on worry and opens the door to peace: focus your concern upon today.”[1]
Remember Acts 17:28, “For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ The Holy Spirit lives within us who believe in Jesus Christ. Think about all that means. God is our natural environment, and we are surrounded and created by His presence. God is sovereign, in control, and close at hand. You are not alone. You don’t have to figure out life independently because God is close beside you (Ps. 23:4b) and never leaves us (Deut. 31:8).
Lastly, seek God’s approval above anyone else. That is the right thinking biblically, in not holding up people’s approval over God’s approval in one’s life. It involves a reorientation of priorities and values.
- “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10
- “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” Colossians 3:23.
We need to seek God’s approval above anyone else. Then, leave the results with Him. The door to fear, worry, and anxiety needs to stay closed, locked, and not opened. Place your confidence in God’s shield of protection, “But the LORD is faithful; He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” 2 Thess. 3:3. Yes, “That’s the whole story. Here now is my conclusion. Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.”. Ecc. 12:13-14.
Listen to Rascal Flatts, Brandon Lake – Stand (Lyric Video).
[1] Jay Adams, “What To Do When You Worry All the Time?” paragraph 15.