God is the One who has given us life. He is our Creator. He is our Redeemer. He is our Saviour.
God is the One who loves us. He is with us. He is for us. He is sanctifying us.
God is the One who is in ultimate control. He is bringing all things to pass in accordance with His will. God intends eternal blessing for His people. He is making all things new (Rev 21:5).
Our own sins and the sins of other people have painful consequences. Living in a fallen world of fallen people brings inevitable suffering to our human existence. As a result of perceived threats to our sense of well-being, we often experience fear, worry or anxiety.
It is perfectly alright for us to acknowledge our anxieties and share our feelings with family members and close friends (in fact, it would be detrimental to us to suppress those feelings). We can then without shame receive their listening support and loving encouragement. At the same time, we should learn to entrust ourselves and our situations to God. We should aim to grow in our faith in God.
By holding fast to God’s promises to us, we receive from Him comfort, courage and confidence to persevere in the journey ahead. Although our lives will not be trouble-free, God is with us every step of the way. He will strengthen and help us, mould and transform us, and at the end He will bring us home. We can learn from the godly responses of two psalmists, below.
When King David feared for his life, he put his trust in God and His word:
3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust;
I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? (Psalm 56:3-4 ESV)
9 … This I know, that God is for me.
10 In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, 11 in God I trust;
I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Psalm 56:9-11)
In moments of great distress, the psalmist wisely took refuge in the LORD alone:
5 Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free.
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
7 The LORD is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.
9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. (Psalm 118:5-9 ESV)
Our future is secure in God’s hands. We know that our work will not be in vain. We know where we will be going when it is time for us to enter into our eternal rest in the glorious presence of God and His perfected people. In the dwelling place of God, we will experience life totally free from any fear, worry or anxiety, because there will no longer be death, loss, sadness or pain (Revelation 21:1-4).
God is worthy of all our worship. Our lives belong to Him and are to be lived for Him. When we lose our lives in loving service to God, we will paradoxically find our lives (Matthew 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24). We will live meaningfully and purposefully. We will be joyful and fulfilled in this present life, enjoying a close relationship with God now, even as we await the full experience of His presence and glory (1 Peter 1:6-9; 1 Corinthians 2:9; Revelation 21-22).
Written by Ps Ivan Ho
In these troubling and uncertain times of the COVID-19 pandemic, we encourage you to take steps to find rest in the midst of anxiety. May you find true and abiding rest in God.
SERMONS
“Finding Rest in the Midst of Anxiety”, by Rev Tony Yeo: https://sermonresources.cefc.org.sg/file/1554
“From Wrestling to Resting”, by Rev David Chan: https://sermonresources.cefc.org.sg/file/1249
(Pastor David gleans wisdom from the prophetic book of Habbakuk to help us find rest in times of personal suffering and struggle.)
“Resting in God’s Presence”, by Rev Tan Kay Kiong: https://sermonresources.cefc.org.sg/file/1172
(Pastor Kay Kiong reflects on the perspective and experience of King
David as recorded in Psalm 131 and encourages us to learn to rest in God’s presence.)
“God’s Cure for Anxiety”, by Rev Edmund Chan: https://sermonresources.cefc.org.sg/file/996
(Pastor Edmund explains Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:25-32 to help us deal with anxiety.)
SCRIPTURE
Psalm 23 ESV
Psalm 27 ESV
Psalm 46 ESV
Psalm 56 ESV
Psalm 118:1-9 ESV
Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
John 14:27 ESV
Romans 8:9-11 ESV
Romans 8:14-17 ESV
Romans 8:26-30 ESV
Romans 8:31-39 ESV
SONGS
“Wildflowers”, by Clay Finnesand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8_9RDMG-JA
“Just As Sure”, by Tori Kelly & Jonathan McReynolds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fP6fdkC4uwo
“Be Still My Soul”, by Libera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqgC1tqifV8
“All the World”, by North Point Worship: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDR4k6Yf76w
“Psalm 46”, by The Corner Room: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RBmNsbFrRU
ARTICLES & VIDEOS
“Worry-Free Living”, by Bill Gaultiere: https://www.soulshepherding.org/worry-free-living/
(A helpful article on understanding and dealing with worry and anxiety with a number of practical suggestions.)
“How Do I Find Peace in the Midst of Fear?”, by Dr Ed Welch: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/podcasts/q-a-podcast/how-do-i-find-peace-in-the-midst-of-fear/
(In this 10-minute podcast, Dr Ed Welch (Christian counsellor and educator) helpfully suggests how we should respond to fear when we anticipate loss and proposes the direction we should aim for, so that we can grow in our faith in God and experience His peace.)
Coronavirus Resources: https://www.ccef.org/coronavirus/
(A wonderful resource page from Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation with many short videos and blog articles on various coronavirus-related topics that you may find helpful in these anxious times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.)
