Panic equals death

About twelve years ago, I found myself in an anxious situation. I was aboard a gold-dredging ship off the coast of Alaska. I was suited up in diving gear and was literally about to be dropped into the Bering Sea. I had no experience, no training, and, in truth, I barely knew how to swim.

 

The only instructions I had received came during an intense journey out to the dredge. Over the noise of wind, waves and machines, I yelled to my benefactor that there was no way I was going to remember everything he was shouting at me. He shouted back, “That's okay, Mike. You only have to remember one thing: Panic. Equals. Death. You stay calm. Control your breathing. If you don't panic, you'll be okay.”

 

Those words have stayed with me.

 

I was on a three-month sabbatical, and I had deliberately chosen a series of risky experiences. I was inspired by a short passage of Scripture I had memorized in seminary:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7)

It is fascinating that Scripture commands us not to be anxious. We need to be careful here. I am not talking about mental illness or the emotional wounds that can result from trauma. Our emotions can be broken just like our bones. There is no shame in seeking medical treatment for emotional wounds any more than there is shame in treating a physical injury.

 

But anxiety should not become an excuse for running away from difficult situations. Sometimes fear is a signal that we are being called into the furnace, not away from it. We cannot allow fear to become an excuse for spiritual negligence.

 

Paul's instructions in Philippians 4 were written in the context of a church conflict. Two women, Euodia and Syntyche, were having a disagreement. These were mature Christian leaders who had worked alongside Paul in spreading the gospel. Yet something had gone wrong, and their disagreement had become serious enough to threaten the unity of the church. , Paul never tells us what they were arguing about. Apparently, the issue itself was less important than resolving the conflict.

 

We can all relate to this. A difference of opinion becomes an argument. Feelings get hurt, bitterness develops, and suddenly two people cannot even be in the same room together. Even people who aren't directly involved begin to feel the anxiety. People take sides, factions develop, and newcomers walk into the church wondering what in the world is going on.

 

We sometimes turn minor differences into major divisions. We don't all agree about politics, personal preferences, or the best way to do things. But we need to distinguish between the essential truths of our faith and the lesser matters on which Christians can disagree. We believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that salvation is by grace. These are foundational truths. Other matters allow room for differences of opinion.

 

The church needs leaders who value unity more than winning an argument. Even mature Christians sometimes need help resolving disagreements. But whether we need help or not, we need to work things out before division takes hold.

 

Anxiety is the opposite of hope. Biblical hope isn't wishful thinking. It is the confident anticipation of God's goodness. I can trust that God loves me, is teaching me, and is developing me. Even in difficult circumstances, I can anticipate that God is at work.

 

Anxiety, on the other hand, anticipates the worst. It focuses on everything that might go wrong. Instead of living with hope, we begin living with fear.

 

So how do we overcome anxiety? Paul gives us five practical instructions. First, Paul writes, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Some of you might think Paul doesn't understand your circumstances. You have a terrible commute, a difficult job, or a seemingly endless list of problems. But Paul understands suffering. He is writing these words from prison, knowing that he may soon die.

 

His instruction is to rejoice anyway. The secret is learning to respond to Jesus rather than simply reacting to our circumstances. Don't freak out. Don't leave nasty voicemails. Don't yell at people and blame them for your problems. Remember who Jesus is and what he has done for you.

 

Paul continues, "Let your gentleness be evident to all." When we become anxious, we often become rough with other people. We make unreasonable demands, speak harshly, and expect everyone else to accommodate our emotions. Gentleness is a sign that we are trusting God. When we are rejoicing in the Lord, we don't have to take our frustrations out on everyone around us.

 

Thirdly Paul writes, "The Lord is near." When we are stressed, we can feel isolated and alone. But Jesus promised never to leave us or forsake us. He is alive, he is present, and he is interceding for us. You are not facing your circumstances alone. Remember that Jesus is near.

 

Next, pray. Paul says, "In every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Don't let your first inclination be to fire off an angry email, gossip, or announce your grievances on Facebook. Your first inclination should be to talk to Jesus.

Pray until your heart is better. That doesn't necessarily mean your circumstances will change. But your attitude can change. Your motives can become clearer, your emotions can settle, and your words can become more gracious. Sometimes the most important thing that changes through prayer isn't the situation. It's us.

 

Finally, meditate on beautiful things. In verse 8, he tells us to think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy.

 

There is a lot of beauty in this world. It isn't all bad. Sometimes I realize that the television, radio, or internet news is simply dragging me down. Why am I spending so much time filling my mind with things that make me anxious?

 

Think about Jesus. Think about Scripture. Think about what is good and beautiful. Think about how you can respond faithfully instead of reacting emotionally. Sometimes we use our anxiety as a blank check to say and do whatever we want. We tell ourselves that because someone upset us, we are justified in responding however we please. But we are never off the hook. Our response is our responsibility.

 

I learned something about that on a gold-dredging ship in the Bering Sea. When you are in deep water, panic doesn't help. You have to stay calm, control your breathing, and remember what you have been taught.

 

The same is true when we find ourselves in the deep waters of conflict, uncertainty, and fear. We don't have to pretend that the danger isn't real. We don't have to ignore our problems. But we do need to remember that Jesus is near.

 

Panic equals death. Faithfulness leads us toward life. And the promise of Philippians 4 is that when we bring our anxieties to God, his peace will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.