By John Robin Murphy
Depression ranks first and Anxiety ranks fifth as the most costly disorders in terms of healthcare costs and loss of productivity (1). In our Biblical counseling model at Rock House Center, we see that fear about provision is one of the most common causes of those emotions
Most of us have experienced at least a hint of worry about money or financial provision, and many have suffered greatly from it. Disputes about money destroy marriages and financial stress creates physical and emotional symptoms that medicine can never fully resolve at the root level. That’s because it is a matter of trust.
How would it change your life today, right now, if you actually believed that God is trustworthy to take care of your every need? Let’s be honest, it would be a complete transformation of the quality of your life if you were to never fear for financial provision and you never allowed money to become an idol.
The problem is that we are addicted to the broken promises of this world for our peace, and we are ignoring the promises of the loving, perfect Creator of the universe. You may respond with the though that you trust God, thinking back on all the times you have prayed to Him for the things you need. But praying for something that we believe will bring us peace is not trusting. That is praying your will and God’s power. That is you making your peace contingent on His performance at your “dance.” That is not trust. That is not peace.
It is our calling as Christians to believe that God is trustworthy and that His promises are real. It is our choice.
Is God Trustworthy?
He says He is. The apostle Paul was specifically addressing the idea of provision when he relayed this message from God to you.
He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (Relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!] Hebrews 13:5 AMP
To break free of our control and trust God, we have to first be willing to believe that God’s plan for our lives is better than our plan. We all have within us a set of needs that, when filled, will completely satisfy our longings. The struggle is believing that God knows better than we do what it will take to satify us at the deepest level of who we are and that He knows better what we need in order to be whole. Obviously, this is about much more than the need for provision.
If you are willing to pray this prayer, you can have less worry and anxiety through a new foundation of trust in God. He will be faithful to hear your prayers and respond.