We’re continuing our blog journey through our recently published book, inSPIRE®–Faith for a “Whole” Life. The book was written for individuals and groups who want to explore wholeness through the lens of faith. We steward our whole lives because they are gifts from God—and because the way we live is one of our greatest witnesses.
Chapter 10 takes us into the “E” of the SPIRE—our Emotional lives—and begins with something most of us know something about: anxiety.
Stressors surround us. Relationships strain. Health concerns arise. Finances tighten. The news brings another crisis. Sometimes anxiety builds up, up, up.
So how do we find emotional wholeness in an anxious world?
Anxiety Is Not Always a Lack of Faith
Sometimes Christians add guilt to anxiety because we assume that if our faith were stronger, we wouldn’t feel anxious.
But Chapter 10 takes us to the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus knew betrayal, arrest, torture, and crucifixion were coming. Luke tells us that Jesus prayed while in such agony that his sweat fell to the ground like drops of blood.
Jesus was not somehow exempt from the impact of extreme stress on a human mind and body.
His experience reminds us that stress and anxiety are part of our human experience. The presence of anxious feelings doesn’t necessarily mean an absence of faith.
But neither do we have to surrender to anxiety.
We can bring our honest fears and real concerns to the God who meets us with mercy, grace, and strength.
And then Chapter 10 turns towards another powerful response.
Finding Joy in an Anxious World
Joy can exist alongside stress and anxiety. In fact, I believe joy is one of God’s antidotes to our anxious hearts.
Scripture repeatedly points us towards joy. The Psalms overflow with it—even amidst trouble. Proverbs tells us that a cheerful heart is good medicine. Paul instructed believers facing conflict and persecution to find their joy in the Lord.
But where do we find joy in ordinary life?
My son Zach finds joy in the sky. He loves to fly. I’m happier with my feet firmly planted on the ground, preferably hiking through forests, mountains, or along a seashore.
We’re related, but our “joy formulas” aren’t identical.
God has wonderfully and uniquely made each of us. So rather than prescribing joy for one another, we can ask some important questions:
What did you love to do when you were a child?
Think of something pure and simple that still makes you smile.
What was it about that experience that brought you joy?
Was it being outside? Creating something? Moving your body? Laughing? Being with someone you loved and felt safe with?
And finally:
How could you re-create some of that joy in your life today?
Responsibilities, disappointments, trauma, and worry can slowly drain our emotional tanks. Sometimes seeking joy even in a familiar place might seem like a monumental task when we’re running on empty. That is when we call on God and invite friends to pray for our next small step into that place–the place that will bring life and laughter to our thirsty souls.
Go Deeper into the Journey
Chapter 10 contains much more—including what Jesus teaches us about walking through anxiety, accepting what we cannot change, receiving God’s strengthening presence, and intentionally building joy into our Rhythm of Life.
I’d love for you to read the entire chapter rather than stopping with this excerpt.
Get your copy of inSPIRE®–Faith for a “Whole” Life, write in it, wrestle with the questions, and begin identifying practices that will strengthen your emotional life.
Better yet, invite some friends to join you. The free discussion questions available through inSPIRE Ministries® can help you walk through the book together.
If you’ve lost some joy along the way, go looking for it.
God created you with the capacity to experience joy.
There is still goodness to celebrate—even in an anxious world.
4 Responses
I experienced joy this week with a very last minute summer break invite to spend time with our bible study group. It felt like forever since we were all together. A joyful time.
I just had a great evening with our Bible study group last night too – so fun to be together as everyone is getting back from holidays and summer adventures!
This is really good! It has been really smoky here with forest fires in the valley and has had our anxiety levels rather high at times. It is super dry here & there are people who are not right mentally who go around lighting fires so that just adds to it. I have been doing alot of praying that our area will be safe! I have found joy in it at the same time though when we meet with our Christian Motorcylist Association friends! That gives us a lift and also when it’s not too smoky going outside and enjoying my flowers and plants has always been a joy for me along with watching funny animal videos for a good laugh! I look forward to buying your book as soon as I get enough money at the end of the month Donna! Blessings!
That’s the idea – to find joy right in the midst of circumstances we may not be able to control, with the good things that are possible and right in front of us. I pray God will speak to you in personal ways, possible through his Spirit, as you read through the pages of the book, Dana.