I Constantly Felt Anxious
I spent several years climbing the corporate ladder. I would job hop to something that would pay more and I worked extremely hard to get raises and promotions. To me, a higher salary meant happiness, comfort, and peace. While I was happy to get a higher salary, which could lead to physical comfort, I never found the peace that I was searching for. I would always feel anxious.
When I finally had enough, I started to pour over the Word. This is when God really started working on me. He moved me to a nonprofit organization, meaning that I would be getting half of my salary. That was hard for me because I felt like I was failing. However, God was showing me that I was idolizing money. I was using money as a source of my joy and peace, however, I was feeling no joy and no peace.
The Lord alone is the source of joy and peace. Without him, I find myself feeling anxious and worried constantly. However, the Lord will keep me safe and he will guide me.
4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names on my lips. 5 Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.
Psalm 16:4-5 (NIV)
It Took Time to Overcome It
It took several years for me to get to that point. I stressed and worried over money and got a part-time job to make up the slack. However, even with the extra job, I was still worried about everything. That showed my lack of faith. Jesus told us not to worry about such things. However, I was showing my lack of faith by doubting him and allowing myself to feel anxious.
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)
Meditate on the Word
I had to study these verses over and over before they finally started to take root in my heart. Now when I feel anxiety rising, I recall these verses. They helped give me peace and give me the ability to pray over the things in my heart and give them to God. I do this every time and I’m finding that I am actually able to give these to God and trust Him.
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
We are told to not be anxious but to pray and offer thanks before we even see the fruits of our prayer. You must be strong in your faith in order to do this. You get stronger by constantly being in the Word daily. Pray to God and ask Him to help you with your unbelief. I have done this and I still do this at times. When I feel that I’m becoming overwhelmed, I pray about everything in my heart. I also pray for my heart and that God helps me with my unbelief.
Worrying Solves Nothing
Sometimes, I still feel anxious. I use the words from Matthew to help me throughout the day. “Does worrying about a situation change the situation?” It doesn’t. Having faith that God will lead you in the right direction is what gets me through it. I have seen Him put people in my path out of the blue that have helped me tremendously. I feel that those are pure miracles because I didn’t know some of those people but they reached out in a very specific way.
When you find yourself stressing and worrying and focusing on money for your joy, please take a step back and ask God to show you everything that is in your heart. What is the root of the decisions you make or what are the troubles you are having? What is causing you to feel anxious and worried? Trust that God will show you the way and guide you along the correct path. Have faith in His Word, and know that He is your Father and your Father finds you incredibly valuable. Stay in the Word as much as you can, ask Him to help you understand and lead you along the right path. However, you must follow that path and have faith in where He is taking you.
Have a blessed and prosperous week!