Anxiety and The Church

The root problem of humanity is alienation: alienation from God, ourselves, others and creation. With our transient society in the ‘developed’ world, it is easy to be a stranger and feel very isolated. With any problem in life, sharing it with others makes a huge difference, ranging from just feeling a bit better, to actually getting some good feedback that will enable us to move out of the problem. The same applies with anxiety: being alone and isolated only makes it worse.

The good news for a Christian is that God doesn’t deal with us solely as an individual, but He has designed us to work together in groups – churches. Common sense points to the fact that we need others to function properly: one person’s strengths compliment another’s weaknesses. We need people to share with and relate with. Read 1 Cor 12 for an explanation of how various body parts are complimentary – all are needed.

Sadly, however, there are some churches that don’t work in this way: they prefer to be a bin full of body parts that would prefer to keep themselves to themselves. People don’t want to be honest with others, and would prefer to keep up a façade that all is well, that their walk with God is going great, and there is a sense of unreality to the smiles and jollity. But as we have seen elsewhere, God puts us through hard times, and we are on the receiving end of satan’s attacks. Every Christian has seasons of growth and pulling down: to pretend that all is well all the time is to live in unreality. Pride is at the root of much of this: it is hard to say to others that you are hurting and struggling and need their help, especially if you have been put on some kind of spiritual pedestal, and people look up to you.

Other churches are more like ‘clubs’, with a suspicion of ‘outsiders’. I once met a lady who had moved to the West Coast of Scotland : she said that it had taken 20 years to be accepted as a local member of the town. Some churches can be a bit like that. This is entirely at odds with God’s nature and His purpose for the church. I weep when I hear of stories of people coming to church to see what it is all about, and saying they will never go again as they were ‘cold-shouldered’ by the church members.

The bottom line here is: find a good church to belong to. It might mean a longer journey, or joining a tradition that you wouldn’t have normally chosen. But Jesus said ‘By their fruits you shall know them’ : having the correct theology in theory but living another isn’t going to help anyone. A good church is a welcoming family, where you can be yourself and be appreciated for that. Many have ‘cell groups’ or ‘fellowship groups’ – groups of 10 -20, where it is easy to get to know people and make new friends. And it’s in these groups where it is easier to open up and be honest with what you are struggling with, to share the problems, and allow others to draw alongside and help.

The Church is the people of God, not an organisation or building, something many don't realise. When God's people meet to seek his face, worship, pray or have fellowship; that is church.

Jesus said:
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18 NIV

Jesus said:
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34-35 NIV "

A simple prayer:

Dear Jesus, I thank you and put my trust in you. Please come into my life. I know that you will always be at my side even when I am at my most anxious; I know that you will never let me down. Forgive me for the times that I have disappointed you. Guide me and teach me, fill me with your power, I pray for healing and peace in the love and assurance that you died and rose again. amen.