Respectable Sins: Chapter 8~Anxiety and Frustration

This chapter deals with our expressions of anxiety and frustration in ordinary life.

ANXIETY

*Anxiety is sin.

1. Anxiety is distrust in God. It is in essence believing that God does not care about me or the circumstances that cause my anxiety.

2. Anxiety is a lack of acceptance of God's providence in our lives. We tend to look at the little picture, the immediate causes of our anxiety, rather than God's bigger plan for our lives.

If all things are in his hand, if the very hairs of our head are numbered; if every event, great and small, is under the direction of his providence and purpose; and if he has a wise, holy, and gracious end in view, to which everything that happens is subordinate and subservient;--- then we have nothing to do, but with patience and humility to follow as he leads, and cheerfully t expect a happy issue. ~John Newton

It is appropriate to pray over the circumstances that lead to our anxiety, but always with an attitude of acceptance to whatever the outcome God provides.

WORRY

Worry is often linked to more longterm and painful circumstances to which there seems to be no solution.

In regards to worry, we need to remember the promises of God (such as when Jesus says God does not forget a single sparrow) and pray for help with our unbelief.

FRUSTRATION

Frustration involves being upset or even angry with things that disrupt our plans.

To help deal with frustration, Piper advises believers to meditate on applicable scripture (Ps 139:16) and to depend on the Holy Spirit through prayer, always remembering that the events of our lives are part of His plan for us.