-Written February 27th, 2023
There is a rest promised to the children of God. There is a rest promised to me. Anxiety is my greatest hinderance to that rest. But, I must be honest with myself, is anxiety the root cause? Is it anxiety on its own? No, it is unbelief.
The children of Israel complained about their daily sustenance of manna. They grieved God with their murmuring. They doubted the faithfulness of God and the leadership of Moses. They also feared the other nations. The book of Hebrews makes it abundantly clear that “Without faith [complete reliance and trust in God that is evidenced by our actions], it is impossible [for me or anyone of that matter] to please him” (Heb 11:6).
Hebrews 3:17-19 KJV But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? (18) And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? (19) So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
The failure of disobedience to the commandments of God starts with unbelief.
Romans 14:23 KJV And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
God wants us to act in faith not unbelief.
Hebrews 4:6 KJV Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
Hebrews 10:38-39 KJV Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (39) But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
Hebrews 11:6 KJV But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Belief and unbelief are functions of my heart. And if I, by my heart, choose unbelief, I will forfeit the rest promised me.
Hebrews 3:12 KJV Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
I do understand that the writer of Hebrews is in part referring to the eternal rest, but didn’t Jesus promise me a rest now?
Matthew 11:28 KJV Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
The word rest here is associated with the same root word that the writer of Hebrews used. It is also a cognate and relative of the English word “pause”. It means a putting to rest and calming of the winds. If a double-minded, wavering man is likened to the waves tossed to and fro by the wind, then a man at rest is internally unaffected by the winds of life. When I am anxious, I can barely hold on to anything except for fear. My thoughts race back and forth—tossing and turning constantly. But, someone at rest is steadfast, unmovable, and unshakeable by the raging winds. This is true faith.
Hebrews 3:14 KJV For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
A note from the author…
Diary of a Person Being Healed from Anxiety was inspired by one of the darkest seasons of my life. There came a day where I set my eye upon the Lord and declared, “I will come out of this somehow.” Since that day, I began recording the journey of being delivered from the most significant bondage I have ever dealt with. As the Lord uncovers, deals with, and gives revelation about anxiety, I write about it. These posts are loosely edited (intentionally) in order to preserve the raw, candid feel in which they were written. I pray that these posts are a blessing to many who have suffered with the same struggle.
You will come through this. Don’t take my word for it; take His Word for it.
– Trent A. Tyer
Trent A. Tyer 