‘Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.’ Isaiah 41:10(NLT)
‘When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.” Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord ,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.’ 1 Kings 19:1-6(NLT)
‘Then, accompanied by the disciples, Jesus left the upstairs room and went as usual to the Mount of Olives. There he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.” He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. ‘ Luke 22:39-44(NLT)
Our daughter used to vomit nearly every morning. I assumed she’d inherited my sensitive stomach. I later learned I’d passed on something far more uncomfortable—anxiety.
Unfortunately, for years, she largely suffered in silence after receiving a lifetime of platitudes and religious clichés that spoke to her spiritual side, while neglecting her physical nature. But God addresses our whole selves. When Elijah, the prophet scholars believe suffered from depression, wanted to die, God told him to eat and sleep, recognizing how fatigue can drastically affect our emotions. When Jesus prayed in anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, God didn’t chastise Him saying, “Buck up, Son! Have faith! You know You’ll get through this.”
Instead, He sent an angel to strengthen Him. Similarly, when our insides are churning and we cry out to God for aid, He doesn’t rebuke or ignore us. Instead, He draws us near, speaking words of love over our conflicted hearts. He comforts us, strengthens us, and guides us toward ever-increasing freedom. For me, that’s meant memorizing Scripture, singing praise songs when my anxiety rises, and, at times, releasing stress through exercise. My daughter, however, requires therapy and medication in conjunction with the self-care tools revealed in Scripture.
Humans are complex spiritual and physical beings, and we all long for peace. But biblical peace is about reaching a place of wholeness where all our parts are joined together in Christ. This includes the physical and the spiritual. He loves our whole selves—our messy, broken, healing, and redeemed parts, and is continually stitching all our fragmented pieces together so that one day we’ll stand before Him complete, as He created us to be.
But we’re not there yet. So as we wait, we draw close to Him, lean into Him, get counseling if necessary, and cling to every word of truth and grace He provides, knowing one day our inner angst will end.
~Jennifer Slattery
from Faith Over Fear