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:
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.
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.
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.
Luke 24:35-41 NLT
Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. [36] And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. [37] But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! [38] “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? [39] Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” [40] As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet. [41] Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”
Luke 24:45-48 NLT
Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. [46] And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. [47] It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ [48] You are witnesses of all these things.
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.
