Thursday, October 15, 2009

Anxiety and Frustration

Sound Bites from our Men's Leadership Study this morning:

“It has been said that our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon, 1834-1892, British Baptist Preacher

“Anxiety is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained.” Arthur Somers Roche

“Every office battles the copier and all too frequently the copier is victorious.” Unknown

“Much of our frustration in life comes from attempting to control what we cannot control, and neglecting to control what we can.” Dr. Richard Dobbins

The real challenge of Christian living is not to eliminate every uncomfortable circumstance from our lives, but to trust our sovereign, wise, good, and powerful God in the midst of every situation.

Things that might trouble us such as the way we look, the way others treat us, or where we live or work can actually be sources of strength, not weakness.

Jesus said to His disciples, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” John 16:33.

As disciples of Christ, we need to accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world and allow God to do His perfect work in us. Our Lord will give us His peace as we confidently entrust ourselves to His care.

Some people assume worry is the result of too much thinking. Actually, it’s the result of too little thinking in the right direction. If you know who God is and understand His purposes, promises, and plans, it will help you not to worry.

3 comments:

Kristen Borland said...

Interesting points, and so timely for me today! And yet it seems every message I hear about anxiety and frustration happens to be so timely. So what does that say about me? Hmm... :)

My favorite...
"The real challenge of Christian living is not to eliminate every uncomfortable circumstance from our lives, but to trust our sovereign, wise, good, and powerful God in the midst of every situation."

I spend so much time thinking about what needs to change in my present circumstances in order for me to be able to go about God's business when, in reality, I need to go about God's business in the midst of whatever He's already placed in my life. We weren't promised easy lives. In fact, "uncomfortable circumstances" are exactly what we were promised. Difficult lives in a cursed world, but lives filled with hope and purpose for the glory of God.

John Marc Wiemann said...

Amen, Kristen! Psalm 139:16 “Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them.” We need to know who we are and Whose we are. Our perfectly heavenly Father knows what will happen each day of our lives, we need not worry.

Unknown said...

John Marc,
Thank you for not using my name when you quoted me about the copier! I wouldn't want anyone to think that the copier actually got the best of me. :)