Header text

Center of Our Hope

Today’s Scripture: 1 Peter 3:14-15

Central Thought: Even in the midst of despair, we can find hope in Jesus Christ.

Tears blurred the text of the email in my hand, but the words had already burned themselves into my heart, “[will you] please bring this listening ministry to Burundi, for our people die from lack of hope.” I could have understood it better had the letter read, “Our people die from genocide, from tribal war, from AIDS, or from poverty.” But it said, “from lack of hope.”

Only after I had walked their streets and heard their stories did I begin to sense the depth of hopelessness among the people. It wafted through homes, down streets, and through marketplaces like a putrid odor. Surviving years of emotional and physical trauma had shrouded the people’s minds, leaving neither vision nor clarity of purpose—only deadly victimization.

Peter reminds the scattered believers in first-century Israel that true spiritual worship would bring them back to their spiritual center. He must have remembered a time when the waves broke so violently around him that he could only see despair. But he re-focused his vision to the One walking beside him who ruled the waves and who alone could save him. Peter could speak hope into despair because he, himself, had walked on water with Jesus.

Devotional Prayer: My Father, I live so often in the surface of my life where the waves of pain and heartache thrash in violent waves around me. I look to You in worship; I honor You as the center of my peace. May the deep, still waters of Your peace bring me safely home.

Further Readings: Daniel 1:1-2:23; 1 Peter 3:8-4:6; Psalm 119:65-80; Proverbs 28:14

From Anxiety to Peace

All of us in life’s journey sometimes need help. Today, I want to help you make the journey from anxiety to peace. The peace that I am talking about is the peace that Christ gives. Jesus declared in John 14:27: "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." The peace of the world is easily shattered and broken, but with Christ’s peace we can overcome anxiety.

You Are Not Alone!

Millions of people suffer from anxiety, so you are not alone! A Gallup poll reveals that 61% of Americans feel somewhat or very concerned that their jobs, or that of a friend might be shipped overseas. Others experience anxieties that go far beyond being somewhat or very concerned. These people suffer from some type of anxiety disorder. According to the National Institute of Mental Health:

"Anxiety Disorders affect about 40 million American adults age 18 years and older (about 18%) in a given year, causing them to be filled with fearfulness and uncertainty. Unlike the relatively mild, brief anxiety caused by a stressful event (such as speaking in public or a first date), anxiety disorders last at least 6 months and can get worse if they are not treated."

You are not alone, but sometimes you cannot overcome anxiety by yourself. One Seminary professor, Dr. Steve Lim, says: "No matter how much we do to ensure positive outcomes, life brims with causes for worry. Anxiety arises whenever we fear possible loss or harm to our person, family, relationships, or possessions. If we depend on our own resources, we can’t avoid worry, for no matter how much we have, we never know if it’s enough."

Sometimes, when you have a severe case of anxiety, it may be necessary to obtain professional help. Many people are helped by Christian counselors, psychologists, and clinics. You can go without reservation to obtain help from dedicated Christian professionals.

You Can Overcome Anxiety

Anxiety is real, but it can be overcome. It is not true that you are forever locked into anxiety and just have to live with it. It is not true that people with anxiety are just lazy or weak. It is true that many people have overcome anxiety and have learned to live without fear and defeat. It is true that you can get control of your anxious feelings and begin to live without worry!

Timothy Sanford suggests a way to overcome anxiety. He points out that anxiety is characterized by what if thinking. What if I disappoint someone? What if my spouse leaves me? What if my boss lets me go? He encourages you to trade what if thinking with statements that express reality such as: What five colors do I see right now? What five sounds do I hear right now? What do I need to do, or think about, right now?

You Can Have the Peace of God
The apostle Paul writes in Philippians 4:6-7 about the peace of God. He states:

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

According to Paul, we should make our requests known to God through prayer and supplication. It’s more than OK to ask God to help us overcome anxiety; we are exhorted to do so. Let us be specific when we approach God and ask Him to help us put away our anxiety.

Our peace is both objective and subjective. When God gives us peace through Christ, we have peace whether we feel it or not. Objectively God’s peace is ours, but God wants us to subjectively feel peace as well. He wants us to experience peace in its fullness. So, His peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. When God’s peace guards our hearts and minds, we will be anxious for nothing!

Conclusion

Begin to trust in God fully today. Practice having His peace in your heart. You can, with God’s help, control your thoughts. And you can keep your thoughts on Him and His goodness. He will be with you always. He will never leave you. And he will provide for every emotional and intellectual need! You can make the journey from anxiety to peace today!