“But [Jesus] didn’t stay anxious. He entrusted his fears to his heavenly Father and completed his earthly mission with faith. He will help us do likewise. There is a pathway out of the valley of fret.”- Max Lucado
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills — From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”- Psalm 121:1-2 (NKJV)
In Chapter 11 (“C. A. L. M.”) of Anxious for Nothing, Max Lucado exhorts us to choose the tranquili-tree over the anxie-tree. Hence, Pastor Lucado revisits the acronym C. A. L. M., firs introduced in Chapter 1.
Yet, all this anxiety, fear, trepidation, restlessness, and insecurity means only one thing. You’re human. Most noteworthy, Max states, the presence of anxiety doesn’t negate your Christian faith. Just as Jesus battled anxiety in the Garden of Gethsemance, Christians also battle anxiety.
However, Jesus entrusted His anxiety and fear to His heavenly Father. And He’ll help us do likewise. In fact, God used the pen of the apostle Paul to sketch the map found in Philippians 4:4-8. Specifically, Pastor Lucado notes, this passage possesses the feel of a decision tree. Also, the author defines a decision tree as “a tool that uses a treelike graph to show decisions and their possible consequences.”
As Max reminds us, we already know about the anxie-tree. For we’ve spent inordinate amounts of time dangling from its wimpy branches. In addition, as we dangle, the winds of change and turmoil whip us about.
In conclusion, Pastor Lucado underscores, the anxie-tree isnt our only option in the orchard. The other option? – the tranquili-tree. It’s a sturdy, shady tree with ample room for you. Consequently, Max uses the acronym C. A. L. M. to explain that choice in the next blog.
Today’s question: How does God light your pathway out of the valley of fret? Please share.
Coming Monday: the annotated bibliography of Anxious for Nothing
Tomorrow’s blog: “Do not meditate on the mess”
