Having Faith & Sharing are Antidotes to Anxiety

We are living in challenging times as our nation enters an economic recession. Every day we are reminded of this through articles in the newspapers and stories on radio and television. The steady drumbeat of news about home foreclosures, increased unemployment and high food and energy costs adds to our anxiety and stress.

So how does faith matter in times such as these? When we are living in periods of prosperity, it is easy to become self-reliant and forget about God and our dependence on others. When tough times comes, we often realize that we need friends, family and God.

Jesus Christ encouraged his followers not to be anxious. He said, "Do not worry about your life, about what you will eat or drink or about your body and what you will wear. Is not life more important than food and the body more important than clothes?" (Matthew 6:25).

What is the opposite of anxiety or worry? The answer is to trust and to have faith.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians from a Roman jail, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6). When we pray to God, we are exercising our faith by believing that God can do what it is we are seeking.

In addition to faith, there is another important thing to do in tough times: Remember to share with others. When we help someone else, we also benefit from acts of charity. In helping others, we feel good about the deed done and it gets our mind off ourselves and our troubles. Even if it is limited to donating a can of soup or vegetables, looking after a shut-in, volunteering an hour or two for some worthwhile cause, do not let your limited means be an excuse for doing nothing.

Perhaps the best biblical example of giving is the widow who donated her "two mites," which are small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. "Calling his disciples to Him, Jesus said, 'I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on.'" (Mark 12:43-44).

It truly is more blessed to give than receive and it does reduce anxiety--for others and yourself.

Heaven - A Wonderful Place!

Responding to the thief on the cross who asked to be remembered when Christ came into His Kingdom, Jesus said, "Today you will be with me in Paradise" (Luke 23:42-43). The word translated "Paradise" is of Persian origin and is found only three times in the Scriptures (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:4; Revelation 2:7), referring in each case to Heaven.

"Heaven" is spoken of in three different ways in the Scriptures. The first usage refers to the "heavens--the sky above the earth (Genesis 1:1, 14-17). Secondly, Heaven is the abode of God (Psalm 80:14) and where the redeemed shall someday be (Matthew 5:12, 6:20). Thirdly, the "New Jerusalem" described by the Apostle John as having streets of gold and gates of pearl (Revelation 21:21). The latter is what comes to mind when most people think of Heaven.

As a youth growing up in Church, I heard a lot about Heaven. I must confess, however, that the ways the preachers spoke about it did not excite or interest me much. I heard of "resting" and angelic choirs--none of which seems too appealing to a boy who would have preferred something like a gigantic amusement park. I certainly would have chosen Heaven over Hell but all in all it was not somewhere I was in a big hurry to go--maybe when I got old and was dying but not as a youth person.

I believe this is how most people view Heaven--a place they hope to spend eternity after they have lived a long life on earth. A study of Heaven in the Bible leads us to understand and appreciate it more. Heaven will be where we will spend eternity with our loved ones and Jesus Christ our Savior. It will be big, new, beautiful and free of suffering. David spoke of Heaven as "the house of the Lord" (Psalm 23:6) and Jesus called it "My Father's house" (John 14:2). He also said He was going there to "prepare a place for us" (John 14:2-3). The Lord has been working on this project for almost 2,000 years--can you imagine how incredible Heaven will be?

The souls of all the righteous are in the care and company of the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8). He will bring them with Him when He returns (1 Thessalonians 4:14). Ultimately, all of the saved will inhabit the celestial city for eternity.

The most important question is how does one get to go there? The same way the dying thief did--through faith in Jesus. The only thing he could do he did--express his faith in Christ. Have you? If so, your reservation is set.