February 21: “Anxious Thoughts Lead to Hurtful Ways” by Rick Owen

Psalm 139:23-24, NIV “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

From start to finish in Psalm 139, David assures us that God is with us. He sees us, knows us, understands us, He is present every waking and sleeping moment—high, low, far, wide, night, day—conception to last breath, God is with us. His mind is always on us with grace and mercy. Not one thing—small or great— happens in our lives outside His loving watch. Yet, we sometimes find ourselves worried or anxious.

There is an often-overlooked implication of Psalm 139:23-24—that anxious thoughts lead to offensive ways. (Read it again; you’ll see it.) Anxiety and worry are not benign tendencies or privileges that one exercises without consequence. They are loaded states, gearing us up toward inappropriate action, or paralyzing us to inaction. Remember, by the way, that fear and anxiety are not the same thing. Fear can be perfectly rational, motivating one to escape harm or protect someone. Anxiety, on the other hand, is fear (a lot of motivation) with nothing rational or helpful to do.

At times we can be almost proud of our worry, as if it were a measure of our love or care. That worry and anxiety can rise to the level of emotionalism—in which we are sat, stood, pushed, and pulled by emotion(s) absent of rational faith. That is the place where we say things that we ought not say, do things that we ought not do; where we interfere instead of assist, frustrate instead of encourage. Where we cross the line. Step over the boundary. Where we become a burden instead of a burden bearer. Anx- ious thoughts lead to hurtful ways.

So, would you like to pray with me about this?

Lord, would You show me my anxious thoughts and hurtful ways? Let me sit with You for a few min- utes—right now—and in Your presence think through the matters of the day: son, daughter, spouse, me, my friend, income, expenses, health, sickness, youth, age, re-paint, repair, stay, go? What is the nature of these thoughts, Lord? Is it motivation to do good things in Your name today? Motivation to pray? Or am I just fretting or pining? Show me my anxious thoughts, Lord, and by your grace, I will do two things about them: I will bring my burdens to Jesus, trusting His promise that He will give me rest (Mt 11:28-30, NIV), and I will trust in You, Lord. As Peter wrote, “... he who believes in Him will not be disappointed” (1 Pe 2:6, NASB). I leave it with You, Lord. By Your grace, give me rest for my soul, and I know that I will not be disappointed. Lead me in the way everlasting. Amen.