Help! I'm Anxious!

Now most of us have great memories of growing up; but most of us also have ouchy memories.  One ouchy memory for me was my family of origin’s tendency to be rutchie.  Anybody know what rutchie is? That’s Pennsylvania Dutch for ‘I can’t sit still,’ because of restlessness and anxiousness.   

I remember my Aunt Mutt -- on more than one occasion -- (yes – we actually called her Mutt) -- barely getting into our living room – before she announced she had to leave.  “I’ve got places to go and people to see.” And off Mutt went. Well as a kid I was thoroughly confused.  “Why Aunt Mutt just got here!”  “Well Paul, it’s like this” my mom would say. ‘Bad nerves run in our family.’ ‘Bad nerves?’ “Yep, bad nerves.” “You see we tend to be an ‘anxious bunch’; translated: we are rutchie; it’s hard for us to sit still. And guess what Paul you inherited the gene; translated:  you’re going to be rutchie too -- someday.” Well friends, guess what: someday has arrived. I mean I am rutchie.  I do have trouble sitting still.  I am restlessness.  I am anxious – on a regular basis.

But in fairness to me, a lot of us are anxious on a regular basis.  Not just because of our biological family of origin, but because of our original family of origin, and the rebellion of Adam and Eve.  Yes the rebellion of Adam and Eve -- as Adam and Eve took ‘matters into their own hands’ rather than committing matters to God’s hands – eating from the Tree of Knowledge (Genesis 3).  And the result, as they say, is history – as the peace, the settledness, the contentment of the Garden of Eden – vanished – and -- humankind fell into the rutchieness, pain and anxiety, we know today.   But there’s an antidote to anxiety:  we can commit matters to God’s hands – affirming -- “though we do not know what the future holds – we do know – who holds the future.”    Friends:  God holds the future – thus – there’s no need – to fall into fear and dread.  

But lets just say it: that’s tough to ‘live that out’ -- for we are fallen critters -- hesitate to allow God to hold us -- to be in control.  For fundamentally -- we want to be in control.   But friends:  the harder we try to be in control – the more we lose control – and the more anxious we become.  Is it any wonder – we live in one of the most anxious times in human history?   

Especially striking is the rise of anxiety among young people, who feel increasingly out of control.  Why recent research suggests that rates of anxiety among American youth have increased at an alarming rate – with five to eight times as many high school and college students identified as significantly anxious – even suicidal -- than 50 years ago. https://www.turnaroundanxiety.com/the-rise-of-anxiety-in-teens-how-did-we-get-here/.  

And so what’s the way forward; whether youth or an adult – how do we allow God to have more control – when as fallen critters, we want to be in control?  How do we allow God to grasp us, rather than the fear and anxiety, that so readily rises up? 

Ultimately there's only one forward route:  release and submission -- as we surrender to a supernatural solution.   A solution -- a peace -- that transcends understanding -- that doesn't make sense.  

Back in 2003, at age 13, Bethany Hamilton was a rising star on the surfing circuit.  But then --suddenly – Bethany was tragically attacked by a 14 foot Tiger Shark – severing her left arm.   And it appeared Bethany’s career – and life – were stymied – perhaps over.  But shortly thereafter -- Bethany gave testimony to her surrender to Jesus.   “I remember after I lost my arm” Bethany said in an interview --  “I just had this sense of peace that God was in control…[But]…that's kind of weird for a 13-year-old to be like -- 'Hey God, you're in control,' like -- I just lost my arm…” But Bethany sincerely meant those words -- not only verbalizing a sense of God’s peace – but living in God’s peace – continuing her life and career.  

Well over the years – Bethany won minor surfing competitions – but no one ever expected her to win a major competition.  But sure enough – this month – Bethany Hamilton did the impossible – finishing 3rd place in the elite World Surf League competition – beating out the number one surfer in the world – Tyler Wright.  Bethany’s secret?  Well in essence Bethany said -- in multiple interviews– it’s pulling yourself together – overcoming your fears – catching the right waves – doing all for -- and through -- Jesus.

Frankly – that’s no a bad formula for addressing any anxious moment: pull yourself together – overcome your fears – catch the right waves – doing all for -- and through -- Jesus.  

For it serves no purpose to panic and freak out.  Rather we’re to pray and ‘faith-out’ – realizing that even when sharks bite and devour – and sharks will bite and devour – we can know a peace that passes understanding; God’s peace that passes understanding.
  

Now in all candor: such peace is weird – it is beyond understanding.  But such peace is real – available to each of us – as we let go.  

Yes let go – not taking matters into your own hands – but committing matters into God’s hands – nevertheless.   

Can I be candid:  I don’t want to let go -- I don’t want to commit matters into God’s hands.  I want to be in control!! But friends -- the harder we try to be in control – the more we lose control – and the more anxious we become.   

And so let go.  Let go.  

Yes, Let go.  “…Humble yourselves…under God’s mighty hand -- that he might lift you up in due time.  Cast all our anxiety on him -- because he cares for you…”  (1 Peter 5:6-7).   

And “…the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds -- in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:7) – today – and -- forever – more!