A Word from Bob: Welcome to Part 3 of a multi-part blog mini-series on The Gospel 
Where You Live: God’s Prescription for Victory In Anxiety. I’m taking these thoughts from my booklet, Anxiety: Anatomy and Cure. You can read Part 1 at God’s Prescription for Victory In Anxiety. And you can read Part 2 at Anxiety: Stuck Vigilance.
The Second Garden and the Hill
In Part 2, I shared that our fall into sin included a fall away from entrusting ourselves to God and a fall toward sinful self-trust. Since only God is infinitely caring and infinitely powerful, all self-trust leads inevitably to fear, worry, and anxiety.
Today, we ask the questions:
- What difference does the cross make?
- What does godly vigilance (the opposite of ungodly anxiety) look like as redeemed children of God living in a fallen world?
Clinging to God/Choosing to Sacrifice in the Garden
Jesus modeled constructive vigilance in the Garden of Gethsemane. He faced His dread of death (Matthew 26:39), and He placed His faith in His Father’s good heart and strong hands (Matthew 26:39). He entrusted Himself to the God who raises the dead.
Jesus’ disciples modeled destructive fear and anxiety. At one point, Peter chooses the fight response of vigilante justice—cutting off an ear! At another point, Peter chooses the flight response of vigil without action—denying the Lord three times. All of the disciples displayed the inability to hold a vigil. “Could you not keep vigil with me one hour?” (author’s translation of Matthew 26:40).
Faith Wrestles
When anxiety stalks, faith wrestles.
In Mike’s life, the mental, spiritual, emotional wrestling match sounded like this:
“I feel fear! There’s no denying the emotion. But through Christ’s resurrection power I can act on the truth that God never leaves me nor forsakes me. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I am more than a conqueror. Nothing will ever separate me from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Trusting God’s protection, I refuse to protect myself. Instead, I’ll courageously protect others for God’s glory.”
We experience the power of life and death in two gardens: the Garden of Eden and the Garden of Gethsemane. If we live by the power of the flesh, then we live a fear-based, self-centered life that follows the model of the first Adam. If we live by the power of the Spirit, then we live a faith-based, Christ-centered life that follows the model of the second Adam.
Forever After: Consummation—Mood Healing
If you or someone you care about is struggling with anxiety, what’s your goal? You shout, “To get rid of the anxiety!”
That’s a legitimate desire and an acceptable prayer. “Lord, if it be Your will, remove all feelings and experiences of anxiety.” That would be victory over anxiety.
However, God does not promise that this side of heaven all feelings will be “healed” and all negative emotional experiences will be “wiped away.” It’s on the other side of heaven that we have no more tears, sorrow, pain, or suffering.
Our Promise Tomorrow: Victory Over!
One day…that great coming day…we will experience victory over! “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
Because we’ve read the end of the story, we live today in light of that coming day. When anxiety assaults and worry wags its finger, we stand firm because we know that we will experience victory in Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:55-58).
Our Goal Today: Peace in the Midst and Godly Living through It All
Our goal today is peace that passes understanding—peace that empowers us to live and love like Christ even if we still feel anxious. Even if we still feel fear, our goal is to face our fears through Christ for God’s glory and the good of others.
Nothing is more courageous than doing the right thing even when we’re terrified. Nothing is more godly than facing our fears even when our fears are not eliminated.
The Rest of the Story
Having invested our first 3 blog readings together in a theology of anxiety, it’s now time to further apply that theology to our daily lives as we wrestle against fear, worry, anxiety, and panic. Join me for Part 4: Facing Anxiety Face-to-Face with Christ.
Applying the Gospel to Daily Life
- When anxiety strikes, where does it drive you? Think about the last time fear stalked you. Did you respond by trusting God and protecting others? Or did you respond by trusting yourself and protecting yourself?
- How could knowing the end of the story—your eternal victory in Christ—impact how you face fear today?
Tweet It
Anxiety: What Difference Does the Cross Make? http://bit.ly/Gospel4Anx3
When anxiety stalks, faith wrestles. http://bit.ly/Gospel4Anx3
We experience the power of life and death in two gardens: the Garden of Eden and the Garden of Gethsemane. http://bit.ly/Gospel4Anx3
Nothing is more godly than facing our fears even when our fears are not eliminated. http://bit.ly/Gospel4Anx3
