Also a verse came to mind as I was praying for some dear friends who face a difficult situation today. As I was reading the context around this verse the Lord spoke to my heart.....
All of us have some form of anxiety playing out in our lives and minds. We may not be ruled by the anxiety but it does raise it ugly head in our lives at times. Think of what bring you the most anxiety and look at 2 Timothy 2:1-36
You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure[a] hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may[b] the Lord give you understanding in all things.8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 This is a faithful saying:
For if we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
12 If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
13 If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.
Approved and Disapproved Workers
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ[c] depart from iniquity.”
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
How can I be living in anxiety if I am about my Father's business of teaching faithful men to teach others. How can I live in anxiety, if I desire to endure all things that others may come to know Christ? I cannot engage myself in the affairs of this life, if I have been enlisted as a soldier of Jesus. Think about the most obvious thing that causes your anxiety and pulls you away from your Lord and engaging yourself in His work. You have been called as a soldier of Jesus Christ. You must be strong in the grace of Him, to please Him who enlisted you. You must play by His rules not your own. You must be diligent to know the Word and how to share it with others. You must labor intensely walking strong in the grace of Christ. I don't see laziness and self seeking pleasures in any of this. What brings on the most anxiety? I think with me...it is not getting my selfish pleasures and desires met as quickly as what I want them met. How about you? What brings anxiety? Are you about your Father's business, being sanctified and set apart for His useful work? Have you fled youthful lusts? Are you able to teach, patient in humility, correcting those who are in opposition? Are you able to pray as one with the Lord that others may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. I pray daily we put on the armor of Christ and seek to please Him not ourselves.
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