Anxiety: will God always give me food to eat?

Last Sunday we looked at Matthew 6:24 - 34 in our sermon in the mount series. This post is one in a series that addresses some follow up issues (read the first post in the series HERE). You can listen to the sermon HERE, or subscribe in iTunes.

Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

One question I've often asked myself in light of this verse is, does this mean I will always have food to eat? clothes to wear? water to drink? Will God always give me the basic necessities of life if I'm following him? To put it bluntly, do Christians who are whole heartedly following Jesus starve to death? Now, I know how we want to answer this question, both from the simple reading of this passage as well as our own feelings. We want to say NO! God would never let one of his faithful children starve to death, die from thirst, lack of clothing, or any other basic need.But that's not the answer I'm going to give. The way I'm going to answer this question is going to be uncomfortable for some of you. We live in a part of the world where death from starvation or exposure are not threats knocking on our doors--in short we don't suffer much from lack of basic necessities (it's not suffering to have to eat beans and rice instead of steaks!). Let me give you my simple answer, give you some illustrations, and end by telling you how all this produces in us a greater faith in Jesus and kills the root of our anxiety.The simple answer to our question is, yes. A Christian who whole heartedly follows Jesus may starve to death. Now, before you get angry, let me give you some examples and challenge our thinking some. I could give example after example (who but God knows how many Christian martyrs have starved to death?), but let me settle on just two. First, an example from our own day. Less than three years ago there was a village in Somalia where Christians were persecuted for their faith. Their persecutors denied them food and other basic necessities. There were at least 18 Christians who starved to death because they believed in Jesus.Secondly, let me offer you an example from the Bible. The story revolves around a widow who lived in Zarepath during a famine (1 Kings 17:8 - 16). The prophet Elijah walked into town and asked a widow with a son for a morsel of bread. Her response:

And she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.”

The situation was bleak. The widow and her son would soon to starve to death. But God did something amazing. He miraculously provided the widow with flour and oil that did not run out during famine. She was saved (1 Kings 17:15 - 16). That story seems to contradict what I'm saying, doesn't it? But lets not leave it there. Interestingly, Jesus mentions this story and adds one interesting bit of information.

But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. Luke 4:25 - 26

Do you see the implication here? Yes, God sent Elijah to work a mighty miracle in the life of one widow. But she wasn't alone. There were many widows in Israel who were starving to death, many who had great needs. Jesus leaves it there, but the reality is that many people suffered and died from that famine--and some of them must have truly hoped in God.Now, one simple answer given to these examples goes like this: "They must not have had enough faith." The idea is that if they had believed more, God would have fed them. Let me say in no uncertain terms that such an answer is awful, prideful, and goes against what I believe is clear biblical teaching. That answer assumes that we have the deeper faith (since we are not starving to death). Let me assure you, it takes far more faith in God to starve to death for Jesus than to eat well every night for Jesus! (If space permitted this is where I would insert my rant against the prosperity gospel, name it & claim it theology, and word of faith theology. All three of which find their heart in filthy rich nations.) If you need more convincing that Christians can and will suffer the lack of basic necessities consider this. Our first basic necessity is breath. God gives us every breath we take, and we desperately need each one! But it is appointed to all men once to die. All of us will one day lack the basic necessity of another breath, another heart beat. And no amount of faith can permanently stay physical death. You will go without a basic need one day.So, if Christians can and have starved to death, what in the world is Jesus trying to teach me here, and how does that help kill my anxiety? Here's my simple answer: Jesus wants me to deeply believe that God cares for me, and as I strive to love Jesus and follow his teaching, I can be assured that God will give me what I need to accomplish his will--even if that will is to go without food. God will give me my daily bread until there comes a time when not having daily bread is what I need to do God's will.But wait, doesn't that make us more anxious? That God might ask me to suffer the loss of basic necessities for the sake of Jesus? It may, but only if we forget that there are greater gifts than food and water. I am absolutely certain that those 18 Somali Christians who starved to death are not complaining to Jesus even now as they sit at his feet. Don't misunderstand me. I am not trying to romanticize suffering. Suffering is, well, suffering. It is not pleasant. The great question when it comes to our anxiety is, do we trust God to give us what is best. Do we trust that God knows what he's doing even if he doesn't give us food today? That when God permits or even plans our suffering that he is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory (2 Cor. 4:17)? Do you believe that there is something better than your daily bread? Do we trust God enough to love him and rejoice with him in the midst of our pain and need? It seems to me that if my trust is that deep my worry and anxiety will lose all its power.Tomorrow's post: Anxiety: the link to people's opinions

Anxiety: is it ok to plan for the future?

Last Sunday we looked at Matthew 6:24 - 34 in our sermon in the mount series. This is a blog that addresses some follow up issues. You can listen to the sermon HERE, or subscribe in iTunes.In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus addresses some of the most persistent sins we face, all the while driving us to grace and showing us how to be salt and light. Sunday we looked at what Jesus had to say on anxiety. I won't rehash the sermon here (see the links above), but there are a few things I want to address throughout the week. The first issue has to do with planning. The last thing Jesus tells us about anxiety has to do with tomorrow.

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34

Here Jesus is trying to get us to see that God gives us grace for today. Jesus wants us to live in today and not worry about what grace we'll need tomorrow--the idea is that when tomorrow becomes today I'll again have grace for today. In my Sunday night small group we got a great question about planning from this verse. Jesus want's us to live in the now, not worrying about what will come tomorrow. So, does that mean I shouldn't plan for tomorrow?The simple answer to that question is no. There is nothing wrong with considering what the future might hold and planning accordingly. There are plenty of scriptures that tell us to consider the future. Everything from consider the cost of following Jesus to considering the ant (both of which require thinking about what tomorrow holds). So, how can I consider and plan for tomorrow and still live in today's grace and not be anxious? I think a hint to the answer can be found in the first illustration Jesus gives on anxiety: look at the birds. It's true that birds neither sow or reap, but it's also true that birds plan for the future. Every year birds make nests. They're planning for a future family. They work and toil to make provisions for tomorrow. And yet, just as with food, they are taken care of. As far as we can tell birds are not anxious about how things will turn out each spring--whether God will fill the nest. They labor for tomorrow and, just as with their food, our heavenly Father takes care of their needs. You can almost see a quiet confidence in the way birds prepare for the future. And I think that's the key to our preparation. There is no need for us to let our minds race down every conceivable path in our planning for tomorrow. When we plan, we use the good sense God has given us to consider what is likely to come to pass, what we are likely to need, and if necessary we make preparations beforehand. But that's where it can end for us. When tomorrow becomes today, God, in his good providence and care, will give grace and lovingly take care of you. Sometimes you have to consider tomorrow. Sometimes you have to build your nest beforehand. And when you do, work hard and build a good nest to the glory of God. But leave the filling of the nest to God. Tomorrows post is, Anxiety: will God always meet my needs? 

"You don't know what I'm going through!"

Have you ever wanted to help someone through a struggle or trial only to be dismissed or ignored because, well, you’ve never had to go through the same thing?  Maybe you’ve been put in your place by that defensive line, “You don’t know what it’s like!”  I recently ran into this ministry road-block when I was interviewing for a part-time position ministering to young men in difficult situations.  My life experience came into question.  I guess I’m a little too naive when it comes to the hard knock life, and I don’t have a rough enough past (for which I blame my parents).  Now, to be fair, I really don’t have a clue why I wasn’t called back for a second interview (other than God’s sovereignty).  It could have been bad breath or my receding hairline or lame attempts at comic relief, but in all likelihood it was because there was another incredible man of God who is going to be used by Him in unique and mighty ways within that ministry role.  But the interview itself hurled me back into insecurities about the basic nature of Christian ministry.  I had walked in confident that I could serve effectively because I love God, I love people, and I’ve experienced the power of the Holy Spirit using Scripture to transforms lives into the image of His Son.  I walked out feeling like I’d been patted on the head and sent back to just deal with middle-class white people.  …maybe if I had picked up a fake Mike Tyson tattoo before going in…Could I even do this job?  Could God really use me to impact young men who’ve seen and done things that are way outside of my everyday life experience?  Or should I just shut-up and go back to helping people who are more like me?Can I only help someone if I’ve gone through a similar situation?The employer was in no way accusatory, and I am confident that they are also fully convinced of the power of God’s Word.  But they openly admitted to me that the last guy had had great success getting through to young guys in trouble because of how he could relate.  He had been through some really dark times, and was able to recount his own struggles and trials.  And when I was asked about the toughest thing I’ve ever been through my answer probably wasn’t what they were looking for.  I just said repentance.I suppose that answer wasn’t sizzling and juicy.  I guess I could have brought up death or cancer and tried to cry, but I meant what I said.  And the more I’ve pondered repentance, the more I’ve regained my confidence that God wants to use me to impact people with whom I have seemingly nothing in common.  There is something that is far more terrifying and awful than pointing a gun at your own head, and that’s coming face-to-face with a holy God when every fiber of your being is dripping with the refuse of your repulsive sin.  There’s no escape.  No excuse.  No hope.Unless you know Christ.And that’s why everyone who has been saved by the power of the gospel and who is being washed by the water of the Word can be used by God to speak into the heart of any soul wallowing in the muck of despair.  The blood of Jesus is a better word than a sympathetic condolence.  Salvation and repentance are God’s work in my heart, and He has and will continue to do the same in the hearts and lives of people who are nothing like me but exactly like me.  None of us have the same story.  But we all share the same story.  I may never suffer as you do, but I know your weakness.  Because it’s the same weakness in my heart.  Remember, “no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man“ (1 Cor. 10:13).  We are all in desperate need of Jesus and His grace.There is no doubt that God uses the circumstances in our life to help us connect and teach others (see Psalm 51:13 after David repented from his sin with Bathsheeba).  That’s why Paul wanted to boast of his weakness in 2 Cor. 12, because God told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  The gospel shines through our weakness.  And God often uses similar struggles to connect others who have or are going through the same thing.  But just because He can and often does use similar circumstances, does not mean that He has to.  And swapping stories does nothing if it’s not connected to The Story, in which we will all one day bow before the same Name.So I can help people who are nothing like me.  Because they are just like me.I don’t need to impress people with my own horrifying stories that are similar to (or more fascinating than) the trial they are facing.  In fact, if I can’t connect or share truth with them until I’ve assured them that I completely understand their circumstances because of my own experience, than I run the risk of them dismissing me completely because of a small wrinkle or detail that I haven’t had to deal with and in their minds changes the whole ballgame.  But I can impress upon them their need to turn to the One who can truly sympathize with their weakness.  ”Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15, 16).

three days later

Last Sunday churches around the world rejoiced in the resurrection of Jesus. We read Scripture about the resurrection, sang about the resurrection, heard stories about how the resurrection has changed lives, and prayed that the resurrection of Jesus would continue to take root in and transform our lives. Today is Wednesday. It's been three days since resurrection Sunday, and for many the power, joy, and allure of the resurrection is beginning to ware off.It's so easy to view the resurrection of Jesus as a simple moment. It came and now it has gone. The resurrection, however, was no simple moment in the gospels or the rest of the New Testament. Three days after Jesus came out of the grave Thomas was still wrestling with doubt--it was day eight when Jesus told Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands" (Jn. 20:26 - 27)--Peter was still looking for restoration (Jn. 21), and most of the disciples stayed in what looks to be a constant state of awe and wonder. Years later that awe and wonder had not worn off. Paul preached the reality and implications of Jesus' resurrection everywhere he went, and Peter began his first letter rejoicing in the resurrection. They never left the reality, joy, and power of the resurrection because they saw and believed that the resurrection of Jesus changes everything.And they weren't wrong to believe that. Jesus' resurrection really does change everything. The resurrection of Jesus is the decisive act and first fruits of the great undoing of sin. For those of us who have faith in Jesus everything is different. If Jesus is alive sin and death have no power over us. If Jesus is alive we are alive to God. If Jesus is alive we can rejoice in our trials. If Jesus is alive we have living hope. If Jesus is alive we will reign with him forever. If Jesus is alive we are not under condemnation. If Jesus is alive everything about life is different.Let me ask you a simple question. How does the resurrection of Jesus change the situation you're in right now? It's three days after Easter Sunday and I'm guessing that life isn't easy. It never is. We're struggling with life and there's depression, anxiety, fear, anger, sorrow, and frustration. Stop and ask yourself right now, "If Jesus is alive how does this struggle change?" Let the resurrection flood your life with hope, strength, and boldness. Jesus is alive, and everything is different.