Anxiety, Worry, Doubt, Fear

And which of you by being anxious can add a single
cubit to his life's span. Matt 6:27

Anxiety, worry, doubt, and fear! The worry list presented
by most is nearly endless and usually includes relation-
ships, personal responsibilities, children, finance, the
future, job security, health. These are indeed things for
which you are responsible; it is your job to see them
through. Now imagine you can step back, and examine
the worried, anxious you sitting in a chair. How would
you describe yourself at your worst moments? Very likely
you feel stupid, worthless, weak, angry, condemning and
like a failure and a liar. As you contemplate your weakness
and all that you must do, how do you feel? If with all your
responsibilities  you are full of such weakness, how can
you be filled with joyful expectation? You must perform,
but you know your limitations and so you worry over the
outcome.

Now imagine that sitting in the chair next to you is another
person, Jesus. How would you describe Him? His eyes are
filled with compassion. The warmth of His countenance,
accompanied by His strength and confidence, is stirring.
His empty hands are held open; of course there is nothing
in them, for you have given Him nothing. Your powerful
Lord sits there inactive, resting, waiting, doing nothing.

The weak you seated in the chair is exhausted, because in
all your frailty you had attempted to push uphill a wheel-
barrow filled with all your cares. Within just a few short
feet you had given up, angry that those you trust had not
come to your aid.

The point is that the source of your anxiety and fear is trust-
ing a weak self. Do you see why you need Jesus? You were
not created to carry all the concerns of life; you were crea-
ted to be dependent. You cannot fly, and neither can you
carry anxiety. The only One Who can--Jesus--must carry
the anxiety of every person. But how can He carry what He
has not been given? Ps 46:10 is clear: "Cease striving and
know that I am God," or literally, get your hands off. Why
do you keep your hands on? There is only one reason: un-
belief. You cling to belief in your own ability to do a better
job than He would. Ps 46:10 goes on to say, "I will be
exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

"Do not be anxious then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or
'What will we drink?' or 'with what shall we clothe our-
selves?' For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek;
for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these
things." Matt 6:31,32
Anxiety does not suit the disciple
Michael Wells from My Weakness for His Strength Vol 2