Really, I would ultimately recommend getting a copy of the book, Counsel from the Cross by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Dennis Johnson. What a wonderful resource in reminding us of how the gospel is really meant to inform life.As a follow up though to the sermon from Sunday on Grabbing a Peace from God, one area we talked about particularly was anxiety.
Fitzpatrick and Johnson wisely help us see how the gospel can even inform our struggle with anxiety when they say,
"Our experience of anxiety is a good gift when it forces our eyes away from our false treasures onto our true treasure, Jesus Christ."
Our emotions and particularly anxiety can be a gauge on how our hearts are doing in relation to believing God. Is my treasure in this moment of anxiety God or has my heart been captured by something or someone else? But if we admit the answer is yes, what do we do, how do we address our emotions? We can't just say stop being anxious.
Again, as Fitzpatrick and Johnson explain, which is what Paul is getting at in Philippians 4:8,
"The outward transformation of our feelings and actions is accomplished through the inner transformation of our mind."
We get help in changing our emotions when we think about the truths and promises of God. Things like
- I am completely forgiven through the cross
- Through Jesus I can know and trust God's plan for my life even in the midst of trials and uncertainty
- All things in my life are for my good, even though they might not seem or look good in the moment
As I think about these and other truths, my heart can then go from anxiety and worry to trust and peace. The call today then is to seize our thought life so we can transform our emotions and in so doing in greater ways, love God with all my heart, mind and strength.
