Do Not Be Anxious

A command and an invitation from Christ to confront and overcome the temptation of delusion and despondency!

Jan 21, 2025

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental health issues in the United States. Almost 20% of the population will experience this struggle in a year. That’s nearly 60 million people!

What is more amazing is that we live in the most well-fed, secure, abundant, and technologically advanced society in human history. If physical well-being and security were the antidote for anxiety, we wouldn’t be experiencing this emotional anxiety.

What’s more, the measurement of this mental health issue has skyrocketed along with the abandonment of Faith in the culture. Is there a connection?

Something else is wrong.

When I am the focus of my daily life, I am consumed by concern for my well-being. But if I dare to reorient my focus away from myself and onto an eternal foundation, my heart can be at peace, knowing I am cared for by Someone Who loves me more than I, myself, know how to love!

Look at our Gospel Lesson in Luke 12:8-12:

The Lord said to His disciples, “Every one who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God; but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. And every one who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious how or what you are to answer or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

The Lord commands us to “not be anxious” when we defend and live our faith, even in a hostile society. However, this is only possible when we embrace the path to a place where confidence, faith, and love replace our tendency toward fear.

The First Step on that path is Acknowledgment.

If I am ever going to be free from anxious living and have the right words to say at the right time, I have to start by embracing the truth that I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I will never be free from anxiousness while I am unwilling to declare my allegiance to Jesus Christ. My tepid way of living, where I try to live with one foot in the Church and the other foot in secular society, will always lead me to quick denial when I am confronted as a Christian. You can’t serve two Masters.

The Next Step is to Accept.

I am called to accept that I will not be seen as a “friend” to the society that finds it easy to blaspheme the Spirit. Knowing I will not be counted on as a supporter of a culture that has forgotten wisdom sets me free to be unconcerned that I am considered “Old fashioned,” “nothing but a bigot,” or “not very sophisticated.” My allegiance to the Faith means I don’t believe I am one of the “cool kids.” I’m free from that burden! And being free from that false expectation then sets me free to love unconditionally, even those who hate me! I set them free from any notion that they owe me anything! By the way, that’s the only way to love your enemies truly!

The Final Step is to Embrace.

When the moment comes when I am confronted with the choice of being rejected by those who also reject Christ or to water down my witness by trying to “fit in” in a society that hates what I love, I will be given the words to say that are inspired and provided by the Spirit of Christ at work in me. All I have to do is rest and embrace the truth of this intimate connection with God through His Spirit. The quiet and peaceful inner life of the Normal Orthodox Christian allows believers to be attentive to the Voice of the Lord, giving them the words to say without fear or anxiety!

St. Maximus the Confessor is a perfect example of this freedom from anxiety, regardless of the circumstances. Born into an aristocratic in Constantinople around 580, he was raised by Christian parents, given a robust education, and went into the service of the Empire. He left government service around 614 and became a monk. During this time, he moved to Africa due to the Persian invasion. He was a great teacher and a solid Orthodox believer who fought against heresy even when some heretical teachings had captured the Roman Capital in Constantinople in the 7th century. This defense of Orthodoxy got him in trouble with the government, and he was exiled several times to attempt to shut him up and diminish his influence in bringing heresy to an end. He disregarded his noble birth and previous membership in the Emperor’s court for faithfulness to the Orthodox Teachings. Eventually, he was tortured by having his tongue removed and his right hand cut off to stop him from spreading his effective defense of the Faith. He died soon after this, not knowing if his teachings would prevail. This great hero was exonerated and held up to great respect by the 6th Ecumenical Council and is now universally recognized as a great Father of the Church.

Today, are you worried, anxious, overwhelmed by life? How is your connection to God? Are you following the Path that leads to confidence and peace, or is life filled with anxiousness because you’re unsure of where you’re headed? Renew your focus on building intimacy with God by practicing this timeless faith through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. If you do, when the time comes, you’ll have the words to say and be an example for others to follow! You’ll be a Normal Orthodox Christian.