These Koi seem peaceful enough, but have you ever fed them and watched what a frenzy they get into? A feeding frenzy! It's as if they get downright anxious about it. People as well can get anxious about what they are to eat, or wear, or what tomorrow will bring. The Bible talks about this at Matthew 6:25-34.
"Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body more than raiment?" This is Jesus speaking at Matthew 6:25. This is the King James Version. Where it says, "Take no thought for your life", the New International Version reads, "Do not worry about your life". Worry is a milder form of anxiety. In my opinion, anxiety is worry on steroids!
If you follow the news, you realize the world is very chaotic right now. Recently in America we have had violence played out in various areas, similar to what is going on in the Middle East. People are becoming fearful and anxious about what tomorrow may bring. There is also a sense of hopelessness with many people and they commit suicide as a way out of it all. Some call this time we are living in a "culture of despair."
"We must meet the uncertainties of this world with the certainty of the world to come." - A. W. Tozer
There is a better world to come! If you are a Christian and read your Bible, you realize that God has a marvelous, heavenly future for all who are true believers. Also, Christ will reign on this earth for 1000 years, and it will be a paradise. (Revelation 20:1-6) After that, believers will be with Christ for all eternity.
That's all fine and good, but what about right now and how do I cope, you might say. Read God's Word and pray without ceasing! Only He can give you the peace within your soul that you desperately need in these desperate times we find ourselves living in. Only God can fill you with hope of better things to come, which will be in heaven. We need to be strong and not fearful. The definition of anxiety is: "distress or uneasiness of mind caused by fear of danger or misfortune." Notice that anxiety is caused by fear. When you place all your trust in God, there is no room for stressful fear. Fear and anxiety show a lack of trust and faith in God and Jesus.
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." -
2 Timothy 1:7
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee." - Isaiah 26:3
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 (NASB)
I pray that the above Scriptures have encouraged you and given you hope. It is normal to feel a little fear and anxiety at times, but we do not want to stay in that condition. Consider all the wonderful Bible verses that give us hope. Pray often and pour out your heart to God about your concerns, including any anxieties you might have. Pray for the Lord to give you more faith.
"The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety." - George Mueller.
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." - Jesus speaking at Matthew 6:33 concerning not being anxious about food and clothing and the like. Keep your mind on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:1-2).
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." - Jesus speaking at Matthew 6:33 concerning not being anxious about food and clothing and the like. Keep your mind on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:1-2).
"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God." - Corrie ten Boom
