In my recent conversation with Pastor Alistair Begg, we explored a topic that resonates with many: anxiety. From teenagers to the elderly, worry seems to be a universal struggle. Pastor Begg offered profound insights on how understanding God's character can be our anchor in turbulent times.
One of the most comforting points Pastor Begg made was reminding us that Jesus Himself addressed anxiety with His disciples. Our struggles with worry are not foreign to our Savior. Jesus often centered His teaching on anxiety around understanding the fatherhood of God. If God cares for the grass, flowers, and birds, how much more will He care for us, His children?
This perspective shift is crucial. Pastor Begg emphasized that our response to anxiety reveals whether we have a solid, trusting grasp of who God is and how He operates. It's not just about intellectual knowledge, but about believing at a gut level. This reminded me of the importance of not just knowing about God, but truly knowing Him intimately.
I was particularly struck by the Puritan saying Pastor Begg shared: "Providence is a soft pillow." This beautiful image encapsulates the comfort we can find in knowing that our times are in God's hands. Nothing comes our way that hasn't passed through His hands first. This truth can be a source of immense comfort in anxious times.
But how do we practically apply this knowledge? Pastor Begg drew from 1 Peter, highlighting the connection between humility and casting our anxieties on God. Pride often prevents us from fully resting in God's care. We might think we can handle things on our own, or that we're supposed to. Instead, we're called to rest in the sufficiency of who God is.
This led us to discuss Psalm 139, where we see not just the immensity of God's knowledge, but its intimacy. God doesn't just know everything in a general sense; He knows us personally, intimately, even in our "embryonic form." This personal aspect of God's character is crucial in combating anxiety.
When I asked about practical steps in meditating on God's character, Pastor Begg used a flying analogy that I found particularly helpful. Just as pilots fly by instruments, not by what they see out the window, we need to bring our minds under the jurisdiction of what is objectively true. It's about absorbing God's truth so deeply that it becomes part of our innermost being.
Drawing from Martin Lloyd Jones' work on spiritual depression, Pastor Begg emphasized that faith is not wishful thinking but a reasoned response to God's revealed truth. This rational, meditative aspect of faith is crucial in dealing with anxiety. It's about actively engaging our minds with the truth of who God is.
Pastor Begg also reminded us that we don't learn about God in isolation. He stressed the importance of Scripture, friends in the gospel, and the gathered congregation in helping us settle our souls. It's a powerful reminder that God has provided community as a means of support and growth in our faith journey.
His final point was a crucial reminder for those of us in ministry. When dealing with anxiety, both in ourselves and others, we need to be careful not to become overly doctrinaire. People need to feel that we understand their struggles, not just that we can quote Scripture at them. It's about balancing doctrine with empathy and understanding.
As I reflected on our conversation, I was struck by how Pastor Begg continually brought us back to the character of God. Whether it's His fatherly care, His intimate knowledge of us, or His providential control over our lives, understanding who God is forms the foundation for dealing with anxiety.
In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, the unchanging character of God provides a steady anchor for our souls. May we learn to rest in His care, trusting that the One who knows us intimately is also the One who holds all things in His hands.
