Anxiety was a gift from God that I was drifting from the narrow Path to Life.

Trying our hardest to get things done may be a good thing, and it may get us into trouble.

For example:

1. Adam and Eve were created in God’s image, but the problem started when they took things into their own hands (NASB, Gen. 1:27; 2:6).

2. God promised Abraham and Sarah great things, but great pain for them and many others resulted when they took things into their own hands (Gen. 16:2).

3. Sarah and Abraham’s problems worsened as they continued to take matters into their own hands (Gen. 16:6).

“Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her (NIV, Gen. 16:6).

4. Rachel and Jacob got magnificent promises from God. When they took things into their own hands . . . (Gen. 25:23; 17:1-46).

5. Jacob’s sons, the namesakes of the twelve tribes of Israel, learned to take justice into their own hands, causing great pain (Gen. 34:25; 37:18-34).

6. Joseph, on the other hand, chose to submit to God’s leading, timing, and justice and refused to take things into his own hands (Gen. 37-50).

With God

The Bible authors thought that possibilities are unlimited when we work with God. But when we take justice or blessings into our own hands, we cause pain to ourselves and others. The temptation to make things happen rather than Actively Wait on God may be the greatest for firstborns, naturally gifted leaders, people with wealth, and those who are in positions of advantage within their systems. Thankfully God knows how to work with us.

7. God made promises to David, and as long as they worked together, David rose from a shepherd to King.

Can you hear the pain and disappointment in God’s heart when David took things into his own hands from his power-over position as King? God loved blessing and working with/through David. And then David decided to go out on his own and then patch up his blunders with an unethical horrible leadership decision (2 Sam. 11-12). It is so disappointing, unreasonable, and short-sighted in the big picture.

“I also gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your care, and I gave you the house of Israel and Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have added to you many more things like these!” (2 Sam. 12:8).

God continued in relationship with David, but now David and his family would experience more of the Chaos Desert than the Garden Blessings.

The Bible Project video commentary on the books of Samuel demonstrates with two big arrows how both Saul and David started well, but they fell off the path and didn’t realize their full potential. Click here to view the 6-minute video.

The Narrow Path

For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it (Mt. 7:14).

Jesus described our journey to heaven as a narrow way. The word “way” can also be interpreted as “a journey, road, or path.”

How do we stay on the path?

Guardrails

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful (Col. 3:15). 

PEACE – Paul encouraged people to let the peace of God rule in their hearts. Rule may be translated as “to act as a judge; umpire, to control.”

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Mt. 11:28-30). 

REST – Jesus said His work is light. If someone feels overwhelmed, this is a sign to be careful.

ANXIETY is sometimes a lack of peace and rest, and a signal to slow down and wait for God. I may be running ahead. I am learning that Active Waiting is more enjoyable than running ahead. I often feel anxious when I am eager to make things happen in my own strength. That doesn’t produce the results I am hoping for, especially if it includes any form of power-over decisions, taking advantage of others, or unethical decisions. Remember, all people are created in God’s image. God takes these things personally (Ex. 22:22-23; Jam. 1:27; Is. 1:17). The collaborative path, where everyone wins, is often longer, slower, and full of awkward conversations, but it leads to the right destination. And it’s fun once you get on to it.

NOTE: I have found the collaborative path works if the leader wants it to work and facilitates the process when emotions are high, or if the leadership, over time, has developed a collaborative culture in the group. If a win/lose situation develops, I see God getting interested, raising His eyebrows, and looking over to the Holy Spirit and to Jesus with a hopeful smile, “Hmmm. I wonder how this is going to turn out.” Maybe He is even rubbing His hands together as He hopes His person will find the narrow trail past the Tree of Judging to the Tree of Life. 

QUESTION: What if Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Rachel and Jacob, and David had learned the secret of Active Waiting? They had good lives until they got anxious and took things into their own hands. They had the whole Garden of Eden to enjoy with God until they decided to help God bless them.

ACTIVE WAITING is like David for the first half of his life. Whether David was taking down giants, fleeing from Saul, or ruling the world, he was writing hymns and waiting on God, kind of like a favored waiter in an excellent restaurant who loves their work.

IN SUMMARY: If you are feeling frustrated, hopeless, or overwhelmed, maybe these are nudgings from the Holy Spirit to slow down and wait for God. Consider anxiety a gift, a warning of sorts. Ask God what is going on and how to proceed. We can expect four blessings as we pay attention to the PEACE and REST guardrails and consider anxiety as a sign that we are drifting.

1. We will stay on the narrow path.
2. We will experience the best life possible, even in the desert stretches.
3. We can help many others find and stay on the path of Life.
4. Our hearts will overflow with joy, hope, and love no matter our circumstances.

I would love to hear your thoughts…