The Cure for Anxiety

Do you worry about the future? If you do, you're not the only one. Many people are overly concerned about the future and/or the future of their children. It seems the majority of people are worried about money or the lack of it. Others worry about their health or about dying. Some worry about provision and/or shelter. Still a few others worry about being left alone. People often speculate or worry about circumstances that in many cases will never happen. Everyone at some point in life has worried about the unknown, or the "what ifs."

We can make a few changes that might help us, but for the most part it's a wait and see game.

These thought patterns happen, because we are human beings and don't know any better. Fear first starts out as a small thought, then becomes concern or worry that grows into anxiety, and if not stopped, can become full-fledged fear. And that is a serious problem, because fears can distort perceptions and sometimes lead to troublesome realities.

In the Old Testament, a man named Job had the same problems as many of us have, problems that may have opened the doors to his suffering and disasters. (Job 3:25). The Bible says in II Timothy 1:7, “For God has not given us the Spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Fear is the actual reason why some people get cancer—because their parents and/or grandparents did, and so they spend their lives worrying about it. Doctors call it genetics; but I believe cancer really has more to do with fear that poisons the mind and then the cells of the body. 


Those same kind of fears have led numerous people, victims of fear, to take actions that were not necessary or could have been avoided. In some situations people have opted for preventative surgery, because they previously had cancer or perhaps other family members had it. Some have taken other drastic measures such as, stealing, cheating, or using drugs to help them out or relive them of their problem or situation. 


Anxieties and fears are enemies that cause people to react in ways that are not normal or necessary. God desires to rescue people from the hand of the enemy (or enemies), so as to serve Jesus without concerns or fears. (Luke 1:74).


It is sad to see people trapped by these anxieties and fears. However, I do understand this myself. I've been there before, but I am learning that so much of it was unnecessary. If we would just realize and comprehend the reality of how much Jesus loves and cares for us, we would never be stressed out about anything. He wants to help us know and experience his rest and peace; that is, if we will let Him.


First step, God wants us to acknowledge our feelings, turning them over to him in prayer. Then we need to study the Word of God as to know God's promises and to learn to trust him. Next, we need to change the way we think and talk. (Our word can paint the future.) And then, most of all, thank Him in spite of everything that has happened or is happening. Along with these steps, we should try to avoid (stop listening) to people who speak negative words, including many sources of news information. From those sources, the enemy, satan, will try to influence and discourage people to not to trust in God's promises.


Jesus requires faith, obedience and most of all an intimate relationship. He is a covenant-keeping God (Gen.12: 2-3) who will be faithful to all His promises. Faith in him will change circumstances. We need to be patient and learn to obey. We need to understand that all things work together for good (in his timing, and not ours) for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose (Rom.8:28). So we need not worry or be anxious about anything. God wants to help every one of us—this includes you—more than we can realize. Here are some encouraging words from Jesus.

"This is why I tell you; do not be worried about the food and drink you need in order to stay alive, or about clothes for your body, After all, isn't life worth more than food? And isn't the body worth more than clothes? Look at the birds: they do not plant seeds, gather a harvest and put it in barns; yet your Father in heaven takes care of them! Aren't you worth more than birds? Can any of you live a bite longer by worrying about it?"

"And why worry about clothes? Look how the wild flowers grow: they do not work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that not even King Solomon with all his wealth had clothes as beautiful as one of these flowers. It is God who clothes the wild grass—grass that is here today and gone tomorrow, burned in the oven. Won't he be all the more sure to clothe you? What little faith you have!"

"So do not start worrying: Where will my food come from? or my drink? or my clothes? (These are the things that the pagans are always concerned about.) Your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. Instead, be concerned above everything else with the Kingdom of God and with what he requires of you, and he will provide you with all these other things. So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of it own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings."(Mt. 6:25-34 GNB)

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all this things will be added to you." (Mt.6:33 NASB)

Doesn't get much simpler than that, does it? Here are a few more promises:

"God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in the times of trouble." (Ps. 46:1 GNB)

"Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." (Ps. 55:22)

"Leave your worries with him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)
"I will never leave you, or forsake you." ( Heb. 13: 5)

Clean Slate

Has there ever been a time in your life when you may have wish you could do something over again? Or get a fresh start or a clean slate because of a mistake or mistakes you made in the past? What an incredible opportunity that would be.We probably all have wished at some point that we could have a "do-over," or a second chance because we blew it the first time? (I've said it many times myself.) 

Maybe it was regarding a relationship, or raising children, or perhaps some building project or investment that didn't turn out the way we had hoped or expected. However, most of us have learned that those kinds of opportunities don't usually happen—except maybe in the movies. Hindsight is always better, especially after the facts are revealed, but it doesn't change the consequences that follow. Hopefully we learn from our mistakes, never to repeat them again.

Even with the abundance of information available to us today, it seems that most people still don't learn well. There are many history books available, many examples around us (often seen on the news), and we still often make the same mistakes as others. For some reason many of us just don't think it will happen to us, or maybe we think the outcome will be different for us. (This applies to many people who started to smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, use drugs, or other harmful activities.) How often we have thought (after the damage is done) that I should have known better or I should have paid attention to others' warnings?

Then there is the pain—the guilt and the shame that seems to haunt many people afterwards. Many people think, if I could just be given another chance, it would be wonderful and different this time.

As unbelievable as it may seem, there is an opportunity where we do get a second chance and the slate is wiped clean of all past mistakes. It's true! It happened to me when I invited Jesus Christ into my heart, and asked Him to forgive my sins. Christ came in and made all things new. That can and will happen for anyone and everyone, INCLUDING YOU, regardless of what you've done.

The following scriptures give us a glimpse of God's great love and mercy:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever would believe in Him should not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NASB)

"I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly." (John 10:10)

" Therefore if anyone is in Christ they are a new creation, everything old is passed away; behold, I make all things new." (2 Cor. 5:7, also read Colossians 1:21 & 22)

"I will forgive their sins and I will no longer remember their wrongs." (Heb. 8:12)

"So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36 NASB)

That's the good news of the Gospel. Jesus wants to restore our relationship with the Heavenly Father by giving us a new life IN Christ. God is allowing everyone to start over again with a clean slate. The cross of Jesus put to death everything in our past and has completely set us free. He has forgiven all our sins (past, present and future). All we must do is believe and receive His forgiveness. Jesus' death and resurrection demonstrates and proclaims a new beginning for each one of us, even when our circumstances appear the same. (Those things will change in time as we yield them to His will and continue to obey Him.)

Now instead of trying to please our self, we should do the things God desires. Our hearts are filled with love and gratitude for Him, because of what he did for us. We will never attain true happiness by trying to set goals and striving to accomplish them. Happiness can only be found in following Jesus' example, and in being led by his spirit. When we walk by faith with Jesus, living life becomes a new experience, and the things of the past become less significant. Once we have seen the Lord and have learned to focus our eyes and attention on him, and have learned to hear his voice, he becomes the center stage of our lives. But when we mistakenly change our focus to the problems and/or troubles of life, our emotions can be overtaken by them and we start making even more mistakes. Instead, we simply need to trust Christ (Pro. 3:5,6) because of His awesome love. Jesus desires to give us a clean slate, a fresh start, and an invitation to a "new" beginning.

When the time is right, we will even thank God for the bad times and our mistakes, because we will have learned more about his amazing grace. And we in turn will be able to forgive others, just as Jesus forgave us from the cross, "Father forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34)

If you would like a clean slate and a new beginning, you can start by inviting Jesus into your heart. You can do that right now if you want, just by saying this simple prayer from your heart:

Lord Jesus... I need you. I believe you hear me and know my heart. Help me to serve you with all my heart. Forgive me of all my sins (selfish actions and thoughts). Come into my heart and make me new. Show me your ways and I will obey. Restore my broken spirit, soul and body; and make me one with you. Thank you for dying on the cross for me, amen.

You can say more if you would like. He loves to hear from you, so feel free to talk with him as often as you would like.

You Know Better Than I

Listen to this great song; it may answer some questions you may have been asking yourself. Such as, why am I in this difficult situation? Is there a reason things are not going right? I feel like I am in a trap; how can I get out?

Help!

"Help... help me!" Hardly a day has gone by, when we haven't heard or read something about a tragedy or emergency where someone was pleading for help. Maybe you were one of those people. Maybe you are currently one of those people. I've said it many times myself. And in my desperate hour of need, I found an answer that I will share with you.

The world we live in is in pretty sad shape, regardless of your personal situation or personal surroundings. Millions, possibly billions of people are suffering worldwide from one thing or another. It seems that there are endless streams of problems that occur every day. You may be doing fine for now, but have you been questioning yourself and wondering, how long will that last? Or are you the kind of person that automatically thinks you can handle whatever situation comes your way? Young people seem especially venerable to those kinds of thoughts. (I know that was my attitude when I was younger; I often refused to acknowledge or believe that I had a problem I couldn't handle.) Some people are that way, even when they get older. Pride keeps many people from seeing their real need or their real inability to control the future—this is especially true of men. Most everybody has at one time or another felt they could get through their difficult situation by sheer willpower or perhaps a little more time, only to find that they were not as invincible or smart as they once thought.

Today, the global economy has caught many people off guard. More people are now living on government aid. Many have moved back home with their parents (or other family members); some are living on the streets—homeless. Some people have very little money in savings, many are living from paycheck to paycheck. Some people are watching in fear, wondering if they will be the next one to lose their job, their house or their car. Many are searching for jobs as their unemployment benefits are running out, but unable to find one. Most people seem to be looking for answers or looking for stability from someone or somewhere. Are you one of those who is looking for answers and help? What will you and your family do?

Another problem has been worldwide natural disasters—storms, droughts, fires and earthquakes—that have plagued people's lives and put thousands in perilous situations. People are seeing their homes, property and livelihoods destroyed, along with their hopes and dreams. Many have lost friends and families. In many of these situations the survivors' plight seems almost hopeless, not to mention the possible dangers of sickness and disease that sometimes follows. Is this your situation?

Still another major problem today are health issues and global viruses. The loss of a loved one is very painful, regardless of how it happens. Seeing others suffering through endless hours (sometimes days and months) until their last breath is gone, is a miserable experience. Thousands of people are sick and dying who were once healthy, and now need help. In general, people are living longer, but at the same time confronting more life-threatening issues, even at younger ages. The need for extreme medical procedures has become more common in order to save lives. (From the day we were born, doctors have become like saviors for many of us.) Health Care and rising medical costs have been an issue for many years. So what do we do? Who do we trust in time of need? The doctor? Health insurance? The government? The church?

I personally have experienced several of these situations. I lost my dream house, my profession, a job, a new van. I also lost eight different relatives due to health issues and three others by suicide. I have personally faced a life-threatening health problem and a chainsaw accident, but was healed without any medical (or alternative medical) help. One thing I have learned for certain is how to handle those experiences; let me explain. What made it all possible for me was my faith and trust in God's love. For the past 23 years of my life I've built a personal relationship with Jesus. Part of what I have learned from my experiences is that everything in the world is temporary, even my feelings and emotions. Only God and His Word is eternal. He is faithful and his promises are true.

The Bible says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths."(Proverbs 3:5-6) And, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord,'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the Lord." (Jer. 29;11-14)

God's Word also says, "I [Jesus] am the way, the truth and the life, and no man comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6, brackets added) Jesus also... "...healed all who were sick." (read Mt. 8:16-17). He also said, "I will never leave you or forsake you." (Heb. 13:5). He also said, "Nothing is impossible with God."(read Mt.19:26 and Luke 1:37) "And forget none of his benefits;"(Ps.103:2-5); these are just a few of Jesus' many awesome promises.

Many people place much of their value and feelings on the "here and now." But, what do those things matter when compared to eternity? I have learned over the years that money isn't everything. Although it may be nice to have, money can't buy happiness. And possessions are a hassle—especially when it comes to moving. The security of careers and jobs are often deceptive. Even relationships seem to come and go, and the pain of trying to hold on to them, is mostly vain. The smartest decisions I have made, when situations or circumstances come along that tear at my emotions, is to turn them over to Jesus. In most cases there is very little else I can do but trust God.

Therefore, by surrendering to God's will, trusting that he knows best for me despite the circumstances, and by following his voice, I have found peace. Regardless of what your situation is or will be, Jesus can and will help you if you allow him. This process of yielding to God is often challenging, because the tendency is to try to blame someone, anyone, sometimes even God or self, for the pain and grief we are feeling. Though I understand the desire to pass blame, in time those feelings lessen as they are yielded to God, understanding that he really knows best.

Jesus knows and cares very much for you and he wants to build a personal relationship with you that will last forever. He will give you peace in the time of trouble and hope for your future. I have learned that the longer we resist Him, the longer the pain will last. Neither should we drown our suffering in alcohol, drugs, pornography, work, buying things, etc. It only makes matters worse and harder for you and everyone around you. You can trust Jesus to help you. But, you also need to learn to be patient; God's timing is always perfect.

Jesus is the only way that works. With Jesus, you may be surprised at how quickly things can change for the better, things you once may have thought to be impossible. It's true you will never forget the challenging experiences, but then again, that's the beauty of it all. You'll have the memories and hopefully some opportunities to share how God brought you through life's tragedies or tests, and how God was there when you needed His help.

Life has it's tragedies,

it can also have happy endings.

In His Shadow

"Listen to me, O islands,

And pay attention , you people from afar.

The Lord called me from the womb;

from the body of my mother he named me.

He has made my mouth like a sharp sword,

In the shadow of His hand He has concealed me;

And He has also made me a select arrow.

He has hidden me in His quiver.

He said to me, "You are my servant, Israel,

In whom I will show My glory."

But I said, "I have toiled in vain,

I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity;

Yet surely the justice due me is with the Lord,

And my reword is with my God."

And now says the Lord, who formed me from

the womb to be His servant.

I am honored in the sight of the Lord,

And my God is my strength.

He says, " Is it to small a thing,

that you should be My servant.

I will also make you a light to the nations

So that My salvation may reach the ends of the earth."

"Thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel."

( Isaiah 49:1-7)

This calling is extended to all of God's sons, the spiritual seed of Israel.

Good and Evil

There have been two forces operating in the world that have influenced our lives and dreams from the day we were born. These forces are controlled by two diametrically opposed spiritual beings—one is pure Good and the other is pure Evil. They each desire to capture our hearts and minds. We can't see them, yet they are very real. The results of their efforts are seen throughout the world, mostly in the words and actions of people and in the way they choose to live. Some would say that these forces don't exist, but that only proves that one of the forces has already succeeded in deluding some minds.

One of the forces is led by Satan, the father of all lies (he wants to be like God). The other force is led by Yahweh, creator of the heavens and earth. The strategy of these two forces often appears to be the same, however the end result is not the same. In fact they are opposite. One leads to death and destruction, while the other leads to restoration and eternal life. Satan is the enemy of God and the enemy of our souls. He will deceive because he doesn't want people to know the Truth. Yahweh will love out of His Divine nature. The enemy's goal is to steal, kill and destroy what God created in people and for people; all under the pretense that he wants to help them to fulfill their dreams "because they deserve it." However, Yahweh wants to give people His eternal life with new hope, dreams and visions; to bless them abundantly, and most of all restore their relationship with Him—to completely heal people physically, mentally and spiritually.

Sometimes these forces speak loudly and boldly through people stating their convictions, to get people's attention, to choose or point a way to go. And with the aid of our conscience, which is still being influenced by the quiet voices of the forces, we make our decisions. Each serious choice we make can have long lasting consequences on our lives and on the lives of those around us. Other times these voices are more subtle and persuasive, a gradual process of luring or drawing people. And the last effort is by stealth—to go in and capture by surprise when the opponent is least expecting or looking for it. Both God and Satan use these tactics (and more tactics besides). But whatever avenue God uses, there will always be a deep sense of peace that follows after the right choice is made, a peace that the other can't give. Only God's dreams are eternal, so is His forgiveness.

When God breaks in unexpectedly to get our attention, he usually reveals Himself in a dream, a vision, or just by speaking. He does this because He has something planned just for you ( new dreams), that started just by clicking on this blog site. (I believe there is no such thing as an accident.) The Lord will also usually give us a choice that is hard to refuse. (That is how God got to me.) You also now have a choice or decision to make. Yahweh—whose love is powerful, unrelenting and wonderful—wants to have a personal and intimate relationship with you. I have learned that you can run but you can't hide from God. It usually takes time - a day, a week, a month or a year it doesn't really matter, He's very patient. And when you finally surrender, you'll be glad you did. You will never want Him to leave you, and He never will. If you want to know more about Him, click on Cloak of Zeal, or my other blog, My Witness by Divine Appointment.

Conflict of Choice

"To be or not to be, that is the question?" A famous quote from a Shakespearean play that poses this thought provoking question. It all comes down to, who am I—really? What am I? Where did I come from and/or where am I going? If God made me, am I willing to be the person he designed and planned for me? Am I willing to listen and follow no matter what that may cost me, or will I be content to just take the easy way that pleases me the most? A way with little or no cost to my flesh, my conscience or my concern for others? Every choice we make reflects a portion of who we are and they often have conflicting thoughts.

Jesus spoke of two different ways. The wide road that many take, that leads to death and destruction. The others is a narrow gate, that few have taken which leads to the Heavenly Father, and His eternal life. It also leads to a cross and the death of our self-life. Thus, the main reason why it is often avoided or eventually abandon if taken. But, what a glorious experience and reward for the few that have persevered its narrow path and come to meet Him face to face.

Jesus also told a parable about two men, each one building a house. One man chose to build his house on a solid rock, but it was more difficult. The other man chose to build on sand, a much easier way. But, when the storms of life came, only one house was left standing; the house on the rock. The other man suffered and had a great loss. (Mt. 7 :24-27) How about you? What are you going to build your life on?

Over the years we have seen on the news where thousands of homes, business and building are destroyed by natural disasters. As awful as that may have been for those people, there is a far greater loss for those who died, not knowing Jesus Christ. The Bible says, "What does a man profit if he gains the whole and losses his own soul." (Mark 8:36) Also,"There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end is death." (Prov. 14:12) Jesus Christ is "The Way" and He is "The Rock" upon which everyone should and must build upon. We need to learn to trust Him as if our very life depended upon it, which it does.

In the Old Testament, God posed this most important question to the children of Israel, "Chose you this day whom you will serve." (Joshua 24:15). It is also a choice and a decision everyone has to make. In fact, it is a daily choice. Whether we choose to obey and follow Jesus or follow our fleshly desires and the way of this world. Are we going to choose to love the Lord (today, tomorrow and the next) with all your heart, mind, soul and strength? Or are we going love ourselves more, making our pride, desires and pleasures a #1 priority? Why is there such a conflict? The real reason stems from apposing spiritual forces.

The conflict of choice is between our flesh and our spirit. Yet, if our desire is to please and follow God, we must learn to listen to God's voice and not the voice of our flesh or the enemy, satan, who would try to influence our fleshly thoughts. He also seek to separate from the love of the Heavenly Father, by our doubts and fears and thus making us miserable along the way. Satan's goal is to destroy our life and the lives of others. The conflict is a matter of life and death.

Sure the way of the cross is difficult and costly, but the other way is far more costly is the long run. Listening to other voices than God's is vain and foolish. Nothing the world has or that our flesh could desires can compare to the love of the Heavenly Father and his embrace.

Joshua didn't hesitate to answer God's voice and question and neither should we. He said, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord," (Joshua 24:15). And so I have chosen, along with all the other sons and daughters of God. Once you've met the living Jesus, the conflict of choice shouldn't seem so hard or difficult, because he's always there to help and comfort. And the Father's love keeps getting better and better everyday and in every way.

"Chose you this day whom you will serve."