I have to address this.
Hey, it's Stephanie here. :)
There has been something that has been bothering me a lot, and I feel a very strong need to address it officially in my community.
Here are some thoughts I have about anxiety and worry about our world today.
As I have been listening to fellow believers express their opinions about the current circumstances in our world, the conversation is almost all centered around a mix of worry, fear, and anger.
I respected how frustrated others were over the chaos and turmoil of the last 12 months, and how many believed that "the other guy" has done so many wrong things.
All I see right now is fear of the unknown, anger over perceived injustice, and worry about the future, politically, financially, and spiritually.
Now, many people I love and respect have this stance about life right now, but I disagree with them...this is not the season to panic, freak out, and blame others.
Now, let me explain why...my thoughts about the world can be boiled down to a few truths.
#1 This whole world is full of sinners, mistake-makers, and prideful people (myself included). It always has been and always will be until the end of this age.
#2 God is always in control and sovereign over the affairs of mankind...from before time began throughout eternity.
#3 God is never surprised by what happens in our "present age." He knew it was coming and knew what was coming after.
#4 God is always 100% trustworthy, faithful, powerful, and just. I know I can trust Him.
#5 I am not in control of the world.
First, a disclaimer: I feel that it's common to have fears and worries over circumstances that affect our lives.
After all, we've all been through hardships, some of them so hard we thought we would break. So I know that life is not easy.
So don’t start throwing eggs at me if you don’t share the same perspective as me. You know I’ve been 100% authentic with you!
However... I believe that we can live in peace, trusting God continually, regardless of our present circumstances. I'm not just making this up. God had a few things to say to the Israelites through the prophet Jeremiah.
In Jeremiah 29, the Israelites have been taken captive by Babylon and removed from their homeland to serve as slaves to the conquering kingdom. It was a really tough season for them to grasp that God still had everything under control.
But God says to them in verses 4-14: "Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare. For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord.
"For thus says the Lord: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."
Now I underlined, bolded, and italicized those sections for you to take it in chunks and think about what God is saying.
First of all, He says, that He was responsible for their exile. He wasn't sleeping on the job and was surprised to see His people gone one day. He was in complete control of their uncontrollable circumstances.
Second of all, He asks them to settle in, build homes, plant gardens, get married, have children, have grandchildren, and multiply.
Lastly, the Israelites are to seek the welfare of the enemy city they now live in. Not just seek it, but fervently pray for it. This video by Bible Project gives more on this topic.
Honestly, there are many times when I still struggle with feeling stressed and worried over all kinds of things...my health, my work, my family, my finances...etc. I get it. I do.
But, my sweet friend, you don't need to live that way. You don't have to live in the constant cycle of worry, exhaustion, panic, chaos, and fear.
Your soul can be at ease, trusting in Jesus no matter the storm around you.
Oh wow, I sure am on a roll today! Let’s end off by supercharging this email with value for you. If you are looking for a free resource to help you focus on God daily, swipe my free Soul-Care Checklist.
Have a great week ahead, stay amazing, and start living in peace, my friend!
Blessings,
~ Stephanie