Do you ever wonder what Jesus would say about anxiety, fear and worry? Or, how he addressed them? His answer was simple with three little words. It is finished. He gave us the tools we need to overcome.
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“I’m worried that, no scratch that. I have a concern that if we don’t address the issue, it could become a bigger issue later on,” I explained.
“Why did you say it like that?”
“Because our words have power, and God tells us not to worry. So I’m going to choose not to worry in this situation, and trust Him, while taking appropriate action.”
She looked at me with a puzzled expression, as if wheels were turning inside her mind, but the gears were not fully engaged. I could see further explanation was required.
“The Bible tells us over 350 times in various ways not to worry or be anxious, and not to fear. It also tells us that God has not given us a spirit of fear. Instead, He has given us power, love, and a sound mind. In those situations when the enemy tempts me to fear, I can choose in my sound mind to trust that God will work in the situation for my best and for His glory. So while I may have concern, I don’t need to be anxious or worried because I trust Him for the outcome.”
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During the Easter season, I tend to spend a great deal of time reflecting on what it must have been like to not only be Jesus in the days leading up to His death, burial, and resurrection, but what must it have been like to be His disciples and contemporaries.
Up until Jesus’ death, people’s faith was based on their belief of what would come, and what would ultimately be. They had to believe what was foretold to them. That, to me, takes great faith. But since Jesus came, we are in a position of being able to put our faith in One who is who He says He is and who has done what He said He would do.
Today, we have the advantage of looking back on history and using God’s faithfulness to buoy our faith.
As I think about the resurrection weekend, I can’t help but think of the significance of three words: “It Is Finished.”
When Jesus uttered, “It is finished,” all of hell shuddered. Jesus put an end to any reason we could have to fear, to worry, or to be anxious.
Fear is giving more credit to Satan’s power than to God’s.
But on Resurrection Sunday, Jesus proved that truly, greater is He who is in us than he who is in this world (1 John 4:4).
What does Jesus say about worrying, anxiety and fear?
God has not given us that spirit of fear.
Instead, He gave us power—the same power that raised Christ from the dead.
He gave us love—the same love that sent Jesus to die so that our sins would be erased and we could enter heaven to spend all of eternity with Him.
And He gave us a sound mind—the mind of Christ who resisted the enemy at every turn when He was tempted in the wilderness after fasting 40 days and 40 nights.
I think if we could ask Jesus about the scenarios that taunt and tempt us into worry, fear, and anxiety, His answer would be simple: It is finished.
Jesus overcame the world
He was very clear and indicated that instead of worry, fear, and anxiety, we could have His peace, because when He declared “It is finished,” in that final moment, He overcame the world.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Thank you, Jesus, that it is finished, that Satan’s power to torment is over. Thank you that you have overcome the world.
- We choose to receive your power and your peace.
- We choose to walk in your victory.
- We choose to have your mind.
- We choose to walk in one accord.
- We choose our words wisely to align with your truth.
- We choose to trust you and not the enemy.
- We choose to trade our anxiety, worry, and fear for your power, love, and sound mind.
When you are tempted to worry, will you put your trust in the finished work of the cross, in the One who overcame the world so that you could have peace?
Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
(If you have a question you’d like Dr. B to answer, contact her here now. Your name and identity will be kept confidential.)
Resource to Break Anxiety’s Grip
No question, we have a lot to worry about. Children, jobs, homes, health, finances, and more. The solution isn’t to rid ourselves of the sources of anxiety – as if we could. Instead, we need to recognize that anxiety originates from a spiritual influence and that we can fight back using the God-given weapons of power, love, and a sound mind.
We can discover true peace in an age of anxiety.
In Breaking Anxiety’s Grip, Dr. Michelle Bengtson shares her own story of emerging from the battle with anxiety as well as the stories of others. She reminds you of your identity as a follower of Christ and of the peace he promises you in spite of everything.
She provides tools to cope with the crushing emotional burden of anxiety now and, more importantly, shows you how to reclaim God’s peace as a way of life so that you can break anxiety’s grip.
Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBooks.com, Books-A-Million, and other fine book retailers.
Click here to learn more: Breaking Anxiety’s Grip.
Hey Michele it is good to see you again and I love your message here. Anxiety is no fun and many even in the church today battle with this. Keep sharing, people need this!
Your neighbor from #CoffeeForYourHeart
Great insights of all the peace that is wrapped up in those three words of Jesus’ “IT IS FINISHED”. This worrier appreciated your blog post so much! I found so much encouragement here!
Thanks for sharing.
I appreciate your perspective on anxiety and how it figures into our relationship with Christ
Yes God really has given us all we need to overcome worry and to make right chooses and think right thoughts!. Thanks for encouraging us!
Such truth here. We have to make the choice to trust!
Yes! I think sometimes we are so accustomed to living with anxiety that we forget we can actually be free of it! Thanks for sharing this incredible truth!
Michelle,
So thankful He’s given us the mind of Christ to OVERCOME! Praying God increases the reach of the message He’s given you and brings HOPE to your heart and health to your family. Stopping by via #HeartEncouragement
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
This is all so true and the best way to help those in need. I have seen the effects of fear, grief and depression. I appreciate that medicine has helped some I know, but God’s way is better.
Preach it! This is so good – I love the line- with 3 words He put an end to our need to worry, or fear or…. LOVE this message! Thank you for linking up with #TuneInThursday today! I am so blessed to have you linking your posts as part of the community each Thursday.
I have suffered with anxiety, but I never thought about it in this light. What an encouraging post! Thank you!
Using God’s word to battle those fiery darts is such a powerful tool! My husband and youngest struggle in this area. During one of those struggles with my little one, I mentioned she had the mind of Christ and her entire demeanor changed. The anxious facial expression became hopeful. His Word does not return void!
Thank you Michelle this is such a revelation. I never truly understood this in such a way.
Thank you for your hope that you offer to others.
Even though we read it in the bible, it takes our heart a LONG time to process. 😉 #HomeMattersParty
Such a helpful post, Michelle! I’ve thought a lot this year about how we need to seriously think about the difference the Resurrection makes in our lives. Thank you very much for sharing your insights.
Thanks for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
This is exactly what I needed to hear tonight ..❤❤❤❤
Oh, Michelle, thank you for these words. I need them right now.
Blessings,
Tammy
There is a powerful song called It is Finished and some of the words say” ‘It is finished the battle is over. It is finished there’ll be no more war. It is finished the end of the conflict. It is finished and Jesus is Lord. Good and Evil and Jesus WON. Thank you Lord!’ Jesus did overcome the world. The words that resonated through my head and heart watching ‘The Passion of the Christ’ were THIS BLOOD’S FOR YOU! Jesus gave His life for my victory! Satan thought he had won but he lost! This is something we all need to be reminded of daily when the attacks come from the enemy. I LOVE this message you shared. Truth for us to hang onto. Thank you, Dr. Michelle. It is Finished and JESUS IS LORD.
Thank you! Very timely for several persons in my family to hear at this time❤️