Anxious for Nothing (Recommended Reading)

The Christmas season is busy for everyone. There are all kinds of deadlines to meet: End of year deadlines at work, presents to buy before the BIG DAY, parties to prepare, programs to attend, family gatherings, house cleaning, and the list goes on and on. Some of this is necessary and some of it is self-imposed. At times this hectic schedule can be overwhelming. If the truth be told society has all but made heroes out of those who overload themselves and never rest.

It is always admirable to see someone who is ambitious and driven toward excellence, but is another thing when that ambition counters the health of relationships with family and friends or even personal health. People are busy...people are anxious. We are either worried we'll miss out on some great opportunity, or worried we won't get recognition (or that someone else will get it before us), or worried we might lose a promotion, or... We are an anxious people.

I have an anxious personality, but I didn't really know that until my mother passed away unexpectedly at age 53. Her death mixed with the knowledge that her mother passed away the same way at the same age caused me great anxiety. That was when I began to experience anxiety attacks. Logically I knew that I didn't need to worry. Spiritually and biblically I knew that I didn't need to worry.

Anxiety is not logical, so it is difficult to reason through it. However, anxiety does have spiritual ramifications. This was best illuminated to me when my wife discovered a book by Pastor John MacArthur called Anxious for Nothing. I have found Anxious for Nothing most helpful in offering a proper perspective regarding anxiety. In it there is no "magic" formula to perform in order to make anxiety disappear. John MacArthur offers plain, biblical passages and perspectives from which to view anxiety. I have read the book several times and each time, it refreshes my mind on why I do not need to be anxious.

I recommend this book to you if you struggle with the feeling of being overwhelmed by life, or if you have a family member or friend who battles these feelings. I keep a supply of them in my office because there is always someone who needs to be encouraged through anxiety.

Don't let this busy Christmas season, or any time of year cause you to be fearful or overwhelmed. Seek the Lord. He cares for you and watches over you. Check out Anxious for Nothing and see if it helps you like it did me.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

For God's Glory,
Chris S. Sweet