Anxiety

Introduction

The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of faith is the end of anxiety.

—George Mueller

George Mueller

We each have different seasons in our lives, seasons of Joy and seasons of Anxiety.

If you look into the scriptures, we often look at the bible characters as these super heroes, but in reality they were broken people, just like us who have seasons of anxiety, but through their faith God used them and continues to use their stories to teach us even still today.

Today, we are going to be talking about just that, we aren’t talking about how to avoid the inevitable feeling of anxiety that we will all feel at some point, but instead we are going to talk about how we turn that trial into a testimony.

Transition:

Today we will be reading from late in Jesus life, we will be reading of a time in which he was well aware that his time was coming to an end. He was fully anticipating the gruesome death that was coming to him soon.

As we read today, think through this passage and see if you can sense the anxiety that Jesus would have felt and also the testimony that he turned this trial into?

Body

Matthew 26:36–46 CSB

36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he told the disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake with me.” 39 Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again, a second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” 43 And he came again and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open. 44 After leaving them, he went away again and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. 45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? See, the time is near. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up; let’s go. See, my betrayer is near.”

This takes place right after Peter is predicted to deny Christ and right before Judas goes through with the Betrayal and his death on the cross.

All of these different things that Jesus had prophesied are coming to fruition

Jesus knows that his time is coming to an end.

Jesus says he is deeply grieved even to the point of death

Even in that somehow Jesus found the strength to say “Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Jesus seemed to have this heavenly perspective of his life, a deep knowledge of his purpose.

How did Jesus knowledge of his purpose help him to follow through with his crucifixion?

Jesus lived for heavenly things, to bring glory to the kingdom of God and as such he knew that fulfilling that mission was crucial.

Just like Jesus, When we know our purpose in life it helps us to see beyond the temporary pain or sorrow that our anxiety causes us and instead see the long term perspective of whatever situation we may be going through.

It may sound confusing to know your purpose, and yes I believe God has specific callings on each of our lives, not everyone in this room is called to be a Pastor like I am, I am not called to do whatever your specific calling is, but hear me here.

As Christians, we all have one universal purpose that each of our callings points back to. That calling is to bring God’s kingdom glory. We live out the great commission in our lives and set our hearts on eternal things.

When we view the world through an eternal lense we start to not get so hung up on the anxiety that overtakes this world, but instead we start to find ourself growing in faith.

Conclusion

So how is your faith and anxiety today?