Anxiety. Control or confidence?

bloguerouniversal

· 14 Apr 2022

Anxiety. Control or confidence?

#health

Anxiety is a decisive factor in the lives of many. From childhood to adulthood, anxiety can lead to stress, and stress can quickly bring the dark cloaks of depression over life. Globally, in 2017 alone, an estimated 284 million people experienced anxiety. If you haven't experienced anxiety, it's that uncomfortable feeling of uncertainty, dread and fear, which originates from a distorted perspective on life (Mark 4:19; Luke 12:22-31) and from unfavorable changes in circumstances. Anxiety always starts with negative thoughts. Soon, the negative thought begins to drip like honey, which instead of sweet is poison, gradually dripping into the heart. In the end, this will lead to discouragement, discouragement and sadness. It robs the individual of all meaning and enthusiasm in life.

The most common birth of anxiety can be exemplified in this way: a taxi driver who accelerates in areas where caution is supposed to drive will immediately cause the passenger to panic and become anxious immediately. Although the passenger's response is logical, anxiety will begin to consume him because, at that very moment, he will have the desire to control the situation from his lack of confidence in the driver. In the same way, if you want to observe the onset of your anxiety, think about the things you want to control. Then, see who or what you trust at the time. Answering these two questions will give you a clear answer to why anxiety marks your life.

Trust or control?

Ultimately, a Christian can do one of two things: they can trust or want control over their life. Trust and control never go hand in hand. For this reason, Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding”. You cannot allow trust and control to coexist, because when you unite them, you will try to trust God and, at the same time, control those things that God can control. This will only cause you anxiety.

God's command to trust Him with all your heart while you hand over control to Him makes perfect sense. How are you going to find peace if you say you are trusting God, but you live trying to control those things that only God can control? True peace comes from trusting that God is God and that He also holds all kinds of control. So if you say you trust God, that truth must be held so powerfully that any finite effort to control your own life becomes powerless.

This is so important because when Solomon says, “don't lean on your own understanding,” it conveys the idea of letting go of any control that arises from your self-confidence and self-reliance, of letting go of any control that makes you feel comfortable when it comes to your opinion of what is right or wrong. It is leaving control to make personal decisions and control to choose what you think is right. It is necessary that this kind of control be totally handed over to God, because as Proverbs 12:15 reminds us, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who hears counsel is wise”. So, if you choose to be humble, stop controlling your life, and listen to what God has to say in His Word, you can see your anxiety melt like wax in the fire.

Know Him and Trust Him

Once you choose humility and give up your control, the most meaningful way to genuinely trust God with all your heart is found in verse 6. Solomon says, “Recognize him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight”. In Hebrew, this verse translates to, “Know him in all your ways”. To know God in all his ways is to invite His presence into all your daily activities and the decisions you make. Therefore, a genuine trust in God says: “God, I will trust you with all my heart by letting go of my control. I will invite Your presence to all my thoughts, motives and activities”. Only by declaring and living this will God straighten your ways, replace your anxiety with joy, and keep you away from the sin that will only end up consuming and destroying your life.