How To Live 2019 Without Worry, Anxiety, and Fear

Isn’t it amazing that we Christians say that we trust God with our eternal destination? We say we believe in the Jesus of the Bible. We say that we trust that that the Bible is the very word of God, though written by the hand of men, we believe they were supernaturally inspired by the Holy Spirit to write it. We say we trust in the story of Jesus as the Bible records it, that He was born of a virgin, healed the sick, raised the dead, was crucified on the cross, died, was buried only to be raised from the dead three days later, to then finally ascend back to heaven, where He now sits at the right hand of God, having made the way for us to enter into the very presence of God upon our death, where we will live for eternity.

We say we believe all that. That takes faith, a lot of faith. By faith we trust God has saved us unto eternal life, yet we worry and get anxious over the physical elements of life on earth.

Cancer scares the daylights out us. The possibility of losing our jobs petrifies us. The stock market, the price of gas, and the rising cost of medical insurance weighs heavily upon our minds. The crime, violence, drugs, and the possibility of our children becoming kidnapped into the hands of child pornographers, has created a culture that is afraid to even let their children play outside or walk the dog, unless we are within reach of them. The list of things that bring fear and anxiety has no end.

Yet, the message of the same Bible that tells us that we have a sure hope of eternal life, rails against worry, anxiety, and fear. It makes no sense to live in the belief that our eternal life is secure, but our earthly one is in such constant peril that we worry and get anxious.

2018 is over. If you are reading this, you survived another one. If you are a Christian and you died in 2018, you are in the presence of Jesus. Either way, the Bible spoke the truth. As we begin a new year, what if we made it our life’s passion to make one change? What if we followed through with the faith we are called to have and actually believed God?

Let’s take a quick look at the Word of God and see what He has to say about worry, anxiety, and fear.

Matthew 6:25-34
 "For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?  "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?  "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?  "And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.  "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!  "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'  "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.  "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.  "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

In case you don’t remember, that was a quote from Jesus. Let’s sum up what He said. Don’t worry. God will feed you. He will clothe you. It makes no sense to worry, it won’t change anything anyway. Oh, and one more important thing; each day will have trouble. That’s just simply life. Instead of making money, getting healthier, trying to stock up food, or making anything else your goal in 2019, simply seek first His kingdom. Make God and His kingdom the most important thing in your life. Do that and trust in Him to get you through the troubles of the day. As Christy Lane sang so well, take it one day at a time.

Here is another reminder form God’s Word.

1 Peter 5:6-7
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

Are you anxious? Give that to God., because He cares for you. But to do that we see we must humble ourselves before Him. This means simply admit to Him that you just cannot handle all this. But take note here, it says He will exalt you at the proper time. Giving our anxiety to Him and living by faith means we need patience.

Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.

The secret here is to stay in His Word, for that is the good word that we can believe.

And then what about fear?

Luke 12:4-7
 "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.  But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.  Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.  Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Again, Jesus speaks. He tells us there is only one person to fear. It’s not any man or woman on the face of this earth. They can do nothing to you that our sovereign God doesn’t allow. And if they do happen to kill you, you go straight into the arms of Jesus if you are a Christian. If you are not a Christian, then you need to fear God, for He can and will use His power to throw you into hell. God is the only one with that power, so He is the only one to fear. And the Bible also tells us that perfect love casts out fear. Jesus is that perfect love.

The real question we need to ask ourselves this very day, as we start this new year, is do we really believe God? If we do, then we can know that even though we serve a powerful God, who has the power to cast us into hell, He has sent us His son, whose perfect love will cast out our fear of death.

Will there be times in 2019 in which we face difficult and trying times? Probably. But we can know with certainty that Jesus will be with us through it all if we humble ourselves before Him. We do have an enemy that fights against us. So, do as 1 Peter 5:8 commands us, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” But remember what God has told us from 1 John 4:4

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

2019 is upon us and we have no idea what we will face. But Jesus was clear on what this life will be.

John 16:33
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

In this world we will face troubles and tribulations. But we do not need to worry, be anxious, or be afraid. In the midst of it all, is the truth that Jesus has overcome the world, God is sovereign and still in control, and in Him we can have peace.

Make 2019 the year you believe God. Do that and it doesn’t matter what comes to be, you will have peace. It won’t even make sense, but when the people around you see it in you, they will want to know Jesus too.

Here is the plan for us Christians in 2019.

Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Do that and it will be a happy, peace filled, worry free 2019.