What if…
You’ve really worked hard to develop an eternal perspective.
And you’ve focused on the hope that is yours in Christ.
And you’ve reminded yourself that Earth is not your home; a better place awaits you.
What if, after doing All Of The Things, you still find yourself staring over the cliff of anxiety?
What would the Apostle Paul say to that? Would he sigh and roll his eyes? Would he tell you to “just get over it?”
The answer is a resounding NO! Although Paul begins the process of winning the war over anxiety by reminding us of our hope and the need for an eternal perspective, he doesn’t stop there. Instead, he builds on that eternity-focused foundation with something that I think is just beautiful!
Do you remember in 1 Thessalonians when Paul sent Timothy to encourage the Thessalonian church so they wouldn’t be worried about all that was happening to him? The errand he sent Timothy on was two-pronged. While Paul certainly wanted to reassure the young believers, he also longed for something in return from Timothy’s visit. What was it that Paul wanted from Timothy? Let’s pick up in 1 Thessalonians 3:5.
For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor should be in vain.
As much as Paul wanted to reassure the Thessalonians, his anxiety could no longer endure, and he fretted, wondering how they were doing. You can hear Paul’s anxious thoughts in this verse and his fears for his beloved friends in Thessalonica. He goes on in verses 6-8.
But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord.
This second step Paul took to eradicate his anxiety is so important. It’s just as important for us today (maybe even more so) as it was for Paul.
Paul purposefully and proactively sought out good news!
When he sent Timothy to Thessalonica, he chose loneliness and isolation, but more importantly, he chose knowing the truth over wallowing in doubts and fears.
When Timothy returned with good news about the young believers, Paul declared, “Even in our distress and affliction, we were comforted.” In other words, the good news trumped the hard times!
Good news is healing for our hearts!
Paul was so convinced of the importance of encouragement that he repeated the need for it repeatedly. Consider verses like: 1 Thessalonians 5:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:18; Hebrews 10:24-25; and Romans 1:11-12. (For real, look up these verses! I promise you’ll be encouraged.)
Although we all should BE quick to encourage, when anxiety is looming, we NEED encouragement.
Here’s the problem…
We know in our hearts that we need encouragement, but it’s just hard to go looking for it! Yes, in a perfect world, others would see our fragile state and be quick to bring words of encouragement into our lives. But this isn’t a perfect world. Sometimes, we neglect to offer encouragement, and sometimes, we are neglected by those who should offer us encouragement. We live in a fallen world and act like fallen sinners far too often.
This leaves us with two choices. One, we can sit in a pile of self-pity, which will only make our stress and anxiety worse. Or, two, we can go looking for encouragement.
Remember, encouragement didn’t show up on Paul’s doorstep. He had to seek it out by sending Timothy and choosing to be alone. Simply put, he had to decide to stop fretting and wallowing in worry and take the necessary steps to find something to feel good about.
I think we’re pretty good at finding discouragement—in fact, I think we’re experts. However, it’s not our fault—we can’t really help it because we’re surrounded by it. The news, social media, gossiping friends, and disgruntled family members all offer us a rich supply of negative news. Honestly, picking up our phones puts us in “negative news” danger!
It takes self-discipline and a purposeful decision to seek out good news. Good news that looks like those heart-affirming “whatever is” truths that Paul lays out in Philippians 4:8. You know, things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, etc.
But where can we go to find that type of “good news?” Your sources may be different from mine, but maybe some of my “good news delivery systems” will help you find your own.
I find good news when I’m with certain types of friends. These women love the Lord and have an evident and committed walk with Him. When I am with them, their joy overflows. I walk away encouraged (even when they have to say hard things to me) and filled with peace. They truly live out Proverbs 25:11.
Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.
I discover good news when I listen to praise music, read a Christian biography, or tune in to good online teaching.
When I can’t be with people, I unearth good news in my notebook, which is full of lists of things for which I am thankful.
I always find encouraging words when I slow down and linger in the Word of God.
So my friends, what will you choose today? Will you teeter on the edge of a cliff of stress and anxiety? Will you sit back and wait for encouragement that may never come because no one has noticed your need?
Or will you make the decision to become a seeker of good news? Will you pursue it wholeheartedly, knowing that good news can comfort your heart and heal your soul? Good news will keep us on our feet as we navigate this world until we can finally be home in heaven
What we decide has enormous implications for more than just us. Our decision will positively or negatively affect our families, friends, and the world.
I’m praying you’ll join me in seeking some good news. We need it if we’re going to win this war over anxiety!
Megan Scheibner 