Michael T. Hare

Have you been anxious about a bad thing? Sometimes, this bad thing is real; other times, it is a ploy from the devil. Or have you been anxious about a good thing? Perhaps it’s something you love very much, or maybe even something you desire?

A good thing and a bad thing are very different. However, they share one common factor—the word ‘thing.’ Equal, yet separate, both prompting the same amount of anxiety. Humans are often guilty of worshipping things, even bad things, because worship is not subjective to lovely ideas. Worship is the act of giving reverence to something or someone, giving them honor, respect, and time. Consider this story for a minute:

Stan tied his shoes, though sweat covered his brow. The company had gone bankrupt, and he was likely to end up fired. His fate was already decided—the boss said he would be laying off workers. Could Stan be one of the unlucky few? Had the company added him to the mix of soon-to-be-fired individuals?

Stan wanted to sit down, to process, to plan! If he was fired, he needed backup. He needed a way to pay the bills. His phone rang. Luke was probably wondering where he was. Stan would’ve been at church five minutes ago, but the news of his job wouldn’t cease ricocheting in his mind.

“No.”

He removed his shoes, tossed his phone, and collapsed onto the couch. He needed to prepare….

Stan traded God for another god—anxiety. We cannot serve two masters as once, as is dictated by Jesus in Matthew: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24.

Money, success, failure, peace, anxiety, it can all be worshipped and sinful! They are hidden gods. Any thing that takes the place of God in your life is an idol! It is just as wicked as the idol of Baal, and it demands the same harm from you (1 Kings 18). Surrender your anxiety to God, surrender your hopes, your fears, and your dreams.

“For I know the plans I have you for,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.

He can be trusted, traveler. He knows your heart, he knows what you need, and he wants you to be happy. Whatever you receive from Him will give you greater joy than any worldly thing. He will bring you Godly success and peace that surpasses all understanding. He knows what you need, and he will provide for you.

“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?” Matthew 6:26.

Do not worship these things, and instead worship the one who has even better plans for you. Plans you cannot even imagine. Jesus tells us that He does not require sacrifice but mercy. He loves us, unlike cruel forces such as anxiety. Anxiety is from the devil, and the devil hates you. He wants you to to lose faith in Jesus, and if he succeeds in that, he wants you to keep you ashamed enough that you never seek Him again.

But God does not want that for you. He is merciful and kind. He leads you beside still waters and anoints your head with oil (Psalm 23).

Have a blessed evening, traveler!