3 Oct 2024, 20:12Catherine Anthony Boldeau, BUC Stewardship Director
Do not be Anxious
Did you know that 1 in 4 adults in England suffer from a mental health condition and that 1 in 6 have reported experiencing anxiety or depression in the UK?
Anxiety is on the rise, and it's not surprising! Major world events like the escalating situation in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine give much cause for concern. The removal of the winter fuel payments, a government subsidy to help our senior folk with their heating costs, the cost of living crisis, a situation where the cost of basic necessities is rising faster than income, and the increased challenges of navigating childhood, adolescence and even middle age has created a recipe for a toxic cocktail of anxiety.
The Bible tells us that 'There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches …' (2 Timothy 3:1, MSG) and that it's natural for people to be distressed by the impact of the challenges around them.
So, how do we live a peaceful life as 'stewards of the mysteries of God? (1
Corinthians 4-1 (KJV)
We do this by putting God first in our lives. Then we will 'have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us and His teaching in our past history.’ (Life Sketches, pg 196)
Is there an antidote to anxiety? How can I remain calm in the face of red flags and triggers? What steps can I take to reduce or eliminate anxiety in my life?
'Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life.’ Phil 4:6-7 (MSG)
Father, we are anxious about so much. Teach us to petition and praise so we can live lives of peaceful stewardship.
Did you know that 1 in 4 adults in England suffer from a mental health condition and that 1 in 6 have reported experiencing anxiety or depression in the UK?
Anxiety is on the rise, and it's not surprising! Major world events like the escalating situation in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine give much cause for concern. The removal of the winter fuel payments, a government subsidy to help our senior folk with their heating costs, the cost of living crisis, a situation where the cost of basic necessities is rising faster than income, and the increased challenges of navigating childhood, adolescence and even middle age has created a recipe for a toxic cocktail of anxiety.
The Bible tells us that 'There are difficult times ahead. As the end approaches …' (2 Timothy 3:1, MSG) and that it's natural for people to be distressed by the impact of the challenges around them.
So, how do we live a peaceful life as 'stewards of the mysteries of God? (1
Corinthians 4-1 (KJV)
We do this by putting God first in our lives. Then we will 'have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us and His teaching in our past history.’ (Life Sketches, pg 196)
Is there an antidote to anxiety? How can I remain calm in the face of red flags and triggers? What steps can I take to reduce or eliminate anxiety in my life?
'Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the centre of your life.’ Phil 4:6-7 (MSG)
Father, we are anxious about so much. Teach us to petition and praise so we can live lives of peaceful stewardship.
