Why am I afraid?

Finding Peace Amidst Anxiety: Lessons from Jesus' Resurrection

Anxiety is a universal human experience, a heavy burden we often carry in silence. But the Bible offers a surprising source of comfort and guidance for those battling fear and worry.

A Moment of Overwhelming Fear

In Luke 24:35-41, Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection. Yet, instead of rejoicing, they are gripped by fear, mistaking him for a ghost. Jesus, in his infinite wisdom, responds with a question: "Why are you frightened? Why are your hearts filled with doubt?"

This question, directed at the disciples then, speaks to us now. What causes our anxiety? What triggers our fear? Could it be:

• The Loss of Control: The feeling that everything is falling apart, that we've lost our grip on life's steering wheel.

• Disappointment and Betrayal: The pain of unmet expectations, the sting of broken trust.

• Uncertainty About the Future: The looming fear of what might happen, the dread of the unknown.

• The Feeling of Inadequacy: The belief that we're not enough, that we'll never measure up.

Sound familiar? We've all wrestled with these anxieties at some point.

Jesus' Remedy for Anxiety

Jesus didn't simply offer words of reassurance. He provided a transformative solution, one that can empower us to overcome anxiety:

1. He Opened Their Minds: Jesus offered a divine perspective shift, a way to see beyond our fears and anxieties to the truth of God's promises.

2. They Understood the Scriptures: The Bible, God's Word, offers wisdom and guidance for navigating life's challenges. It reveals a God who is bigger than our fears, a God who loves us unconditionally.

3. He Gave Them a Purpose: Jesus didn't leave his disciples wallowing in their anxiety. He gave them a mission, a purpose that transcended their fears and fueled their faith.

Embracing Doubt and Finding Joy

Luke 24:41 reveals a curious mix of emotions: "they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder." Even in the presence of the risen Christ, doubt lingered. But alongside doubt, there was joy and wonder.

This teaches us that doubt and faith can coexist. We can wrestle with questions and uncertainties, while also experiencing the joy and wonder of God's presence in our lives.

Your Journey Toward Peace

If you're struggling with anxiety, know that you're not alone. Many have walked this path before you, including Jesus' closest followers.

Take heart, dear friend. Jesus invites you to open your mind to His truth, to find comfort and guidance in His Word, and to embrace the purpose He has for your life. Anxiety may be a part of your journey, but it doesn't have to be your destination.

One last word:

Look again at Luke 24:41 

"they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder"

While Jesus is literally showing them His hands and feet... inviting them to touch... to be absolutely sure... In the exact moment that the risen Lord Himself is providing irrefutable forensic evidence of His victory over death, they stand in disbelief and joy and wonder.

• Don't beat yourself up over bouts of doubt. These disciples have their literal hands on the very real and risen Christ and they still struggle with the incredible truth of resurrection power. While we have many eyewitness accounts to intellectually satisfy us, we never had the experience they enjoyed. They eventually worked through doubt to become daring but it took some time. Be honest about doubt. Deal with doubt. Just don't let doubt be your destination.

• We work through conflict on our way to confidence. The responses of disbelief, joy, and wonder are not always mutually exclusive. It's okay to be conflicted - confidence is just ahead.