How to Handle Anxiety
There is great danger to believers when they look around and begin to worry over their circumstances. Psalm 37 says that fretting over our situation leads to sin (8). The negative thoughts that you choose to dwell on will lead to anger, resentment, and envy. Unchecked anxiety will destroy your faith in God’s goodness and justice, and affect your attitude toward everything and everyone in your life.
How should believers respond to the anxieties in their life? The psalmist focuses his readers attention on the ONLY cure for the anxieties of life, God Himself (40). Over and over the psalmist reminds God’s people that God is ever present. He says: “Trust in the Lord” (3), “Delight yourself in the Lord”(4), “Commit your way to the Lord”(5), “Rest in the Lord” (37:7), “Wait for the Lord” (34). God is sovereign over all that happens in this world and the righteous can trust in His providential care (23). Worry is dispelled as we replace sinful thoughts with what us true, honourable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and praiseworthy (Phil 4:8).
The psalmist also challenges the righteous to demonstrate their faith in a wicked world. Strong faith in God is shown in good works and righteous living (3,27). Though the wicked often prosper in this life, they will face God’s judgment. God’s people on the other hand, can wait patiently for day of Christ’s return when they will be rewarded for their faithfulness (34). Believers can commit their lives to the Lord knowing that God will act on their behalf in this life and at the end of the age (5-6).
Brethren, God is your strength in times of trouble, your deliverer, and your salvation (39-40). Take refuge in God and know that He is good and always does good towards His saints.