By David Ettinger
The Christian Challenge
One passage I see coming to fruition more than any other is 2 Timothy 3:1-9, which begins: “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.”
I won’t record the remaining 8 verses, but some of the key phrases are: “slanderers,” “unholy,” “without self-control,” “brutal,” “haters of good,” “treacherous,” and “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
Human history has been rife with such behavior, but in these days it is being played out at the highest levels of society, particularly among the leaders of nations. If you catch up on the news daily, you are acutely aware of this reality.
Things will only get worse, and Christians will continue to be challenged in one particular area. As society and the culture grow ever more anti-Christian, anti-Bible, and anti-God, believers will have to look at one specific command and determine how to obey it.
Making it Happen
The command concerns worrying – specifically, how Christians shouldn’t be doing it:
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).
- “And which of you by worrying can add a single day to his life’s span?” (Matthew 6:27).
- “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What are we to eat?’ or ‘What are we to drink?’ or ‘What are we to wear for clothing?’” (Matthew 6:31).
- “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).
By human standards, this command is impossible to execute. Both the Lord Jesus (in Matthew) and the apostle Paul (in Philippians) are not telling us to ignore the problems, challenges, disappointments, fears, and heartaches of life, but that we should not anguish over them.
Yet, anguishing is the most natural thing in the world. Furthermore, in the Philippians verse, Paul tells us that not only are we not to worry and anguish, but to be thankful! How in the world do we do this? How in the world do we counteract that which comes so naturally with that which is against our very nature?
Two factors have helped me.
First, just knowing that worrying and anguishing is against the Lord’s will makes me stop, think, consider, and slow down. When my nerves are most on edge, I tell myself, Stop! You know that God has clearly commanded against the very thing you are doing right now. This, at least, puts a halt to the extremity of my anguish, allowing me to think rationally.
Second. I acknowledge God’s desire that I not worry, but that I cannot do it on my own. I say something like this: Lord, this situation is filled with strife and all kinds of evil, how am I NOT to worry? I have no idea how to obey this command. However, I know this is Your will, so please, not only remove this anguish from me, but replace it with thanksgiving. Again, Lord, I am incapable of achieving this on my own; only you can do this work within me. So please, Lord, rid me of my worry and anguish in Your power.
What About You?
I’m not offering this as advice; simply as my method of obeying this incredibly challenging command.
What about you? How do you deal with worry, stress, and anguish in light of the Lord’s command NOT to?
I’d love to hear your thoughts and insights!
Lisa Beth
March 12, 2021
Hi David, this has always been a challenge for me. What really helps me is a conscious separation from this world. Meditating upon our position as “foreigners and strangers” who “do not love this world” helps me not to cringe when our own country implodes. I try to focus on our place in God’s Kingdom and look forward to going there instead of fearing death.
It’s a bit easier since I’m not actually facing death now but for victory over anxiety I must refocus my heart and mind on eternity and loosen my grip on all things temporal.
Press on brother, may the Lord lead us all in these challenges!
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dettinger47
March 12, 2021
Tremendous response, Lisa Beth! I always hate it when the comment is better than the post!!!
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Lisa Beth
March 12, 2021
Oh thank you!
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Blue Collar Theologian
March 12, 2021
I have no wise counsel on this! I am prone to anxiety and worry and I literally have to yell at myself to “trust God!”
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dettinger47
March 12, 2021
That’s not bad, Mandy. For some of us who are aggressive and temper-challenged, yelling at ourselves sometimes does the trick!
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jarilissima
March 12, 2021
I really like this post and what you’ve shared! I especially like your honesty in letting God know you cannot do it on your own.
It reminds me of something we just read recently here, Mark 9:23:25, when the man says, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” That’s similar to how I pray when I worry and don’t trust that things will be okay. “Lord, I trust You; but help me with my distrust!”
And it also helps to know that I don’t have to accept all the ugliness going on in the world. It’s quite normal to flinch away from all this nastiness. Does that make sense?
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dettinger47
March 12, 2021
Yes, Yari, it makes perfect sense. Here at work, people talk way too much politics. I refuse to join in. I read the news, digest it quickly, and move on. Like you, I don’t indulge in the nastiness.
Also, I love your allusion to Mark 9:23-25. We can all say, “Lord, help my unbelief!”
Great insights, Yari, and much appreciated!
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vicklea
March 12, 2021
To be honest, David, I usually react with anxiety, wringing my hands and sometimes getting angry at the circumstances. I am practicing turning to God first…years and years of a relationship with Him and yet I still have to practice turning to Him first. I’m glad that He is patient with me.
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dettinger47
March 12, 2021
Same here, Vickie!
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Bruce Cooper
March 12, 2021
Excellent post David and no one can deny that it isn’t timely. I find that we tend to “see” what we focus our eyes on so I try to ensure that I balance what I physically see with what I also spiritually see. Prayer and time in God’s Word obviously helps and also limit what I expose my eyes to with regard to news that causes anxiety. I can be “aware” but I don’t need to allow it to overcome my whole being. If one is on a diet, one would be prudent not to sit in front of an open fridge kind of thinking. And of course, sometimes all of this works better than others. The seriousness of the problem can easily up the necessity of the balance required, so to speak. I like your prayer where you basically tell God how it is (not that He doesn’t already know)! It’s humbling to learn and acknowledge to God how vulnerable we can be to externals. Blessings!
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dettinger47
March 12, 2021
Well said, Bruce.
“I can be “aware” but I don’t need to allow it to overcome my whole being.”
So true, and that’s the key. As I was reading your remarks, two office mates were speaking about how much they hated President Biden’s speech last night. It accomplished nothing. So much better to ponder the things of the Lord.
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Bruce Cooper
March 12, 2021
There’s an old military saying that helps me evaluate what I expose myself to. It states, “the situation is serious but not critical”. Kind of like the difference between “may” and “will”. One can waste an awful lot of time in those “mays”. Blessings David.
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dettinger47
March 12, 2021
A great and wise saying. Thanks, Bruce.
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Gary Fultz
March 12, 2021
I have to constantly think of the end game, the finish line gets closer every day. It helps my perspective to ask “100 years from now how will I look at this?”
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dettinger47
March 12, 2021
Great perspective, Gary. More believers need to do this. We’re supposed to rise above the reflex to react in the heat of the moment. Rather, we are to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of Christ (Philippians 1:27).
Your insights are much appreciated!
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Nicole Santana
March 12, 2021
As soon as I recognize I’m going down a worry spiral, I say, “Take every thought captive to obey Jesus, Nicole!” It takes a minute, but it switches my brain and leads me into prayer. I’m not perfect at it, but I try really hard to stop the worry in its tracks. Great post today! 😀
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dettinger47
March 12, 2021
Great point, Nicole. In fact, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized the importance of that verse. Taking every thought captive makes all the difference!
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Lisa Blair
March 12, 2021
Reblogged this on Daily Inspiration – Lisa's Thoughts and commented:
Guest Post by David Ettinger, The Most Challenging Command.
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dettinger47
March 12, 2021
Thank you for the reblog, Lisa.
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craig
March 12, 2021
I really appreciate this post, David. I like your contrasting the extremes of ignore vs. anguish, and the recognition of a path between the two. There is much sage advice both in your post and in the comments. I have none to add. I still struggle, fail, wrestle, prevail, struggle again, and I don’t expect my warfare to cease until I enter the church triumphant, but it is all undoubtedly used by the Lord to bring about His purposes. Praise Him for His wisdom and grace. God bless!
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dettinger47
March 12, 2021
Well said, Craig. I agree with you.
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Crissy
March 13, 2021
Worry, stress and anxiety used to be my best friends. Over the years, study of God’s Word, prayer and reminding myself this world is not my home, has helped me to let go of my best friends. Sometimes they return for a meal but I don’t entertain them for long,
And you are right, is not God’s will for us to be anxious, stressed or worried. By His grace we can overcome when we submit humbly to His commands.
One thing I find difficult to overcome is fear .
Thank you David. Great post.
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dettinger47
March 13, 2021
Great insights, Crissy. Thank you for sharing.
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God Still Speaks
March 13, 2021
I have taken some of my favorite Bible verses, and pray them over myself, until I calm down.
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dettinger47
March 14, 2021
Excellent strategy!
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heavensreef
March 14, 2021
I just prayed today as I took my walk that I know that GOD is in Control…..period. And to give me the perseverance to face all that is going to come. Like you said, things will just get worse and every time I think I have heard it all…..I hear something more disgusting or ridiculous. But I always hear that little voice saying “but don’t be surprised” I told you this would come. So my worry is turned into peace. (I can truthfully say I haven’t lost a night’s sleep in worry over this.) I don’t know maybe my worry happens during the day and I get HIS peace in the midst of it so I can sleep later!
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dettinger47
March 14, 2021
Great points. Thank you, Maxine.
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seekingdivineperspective
March 14, 2021
For me a big part of worry is fearing that I’m not going to deal with it in the right way. What if I do the wrong thing?! I then have to remind myself that even if I make a mistake, I am covered by grace (Duh.), and once I’m not stressing about whether I’m going to blow it, I can think more clearly and be more confident that I AM going to deal with the situation the way God wants me to.
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dettinger47
March 15, 2021
That makes sense!
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dawnfanshawe
March 22, 2021
I am learning to trust! When faced with situations where there is no plan-B, my trust has to stand firm!
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dettinger47
March 22, 2021
Amen to that, Dawn!
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