Text: Mark 2:13-17, Matthew 4:1-11
Recently, I was on my way to Palm Desert to speak. I struggle with anxiety when driving alone, and I was not looking forward to the drive. The abyss of grey asphalt, cement walls, and red taillights of stop-and-go traffic unsettle me, and I knew once I made it through that traffic the desolate, dry, and brown desert would surround me for miles.
I get nervous to be alone. The stillness tempts me with voices that say I am not a good enough wife, mother, friend, leader. I am haunted by the “what ifs” and “should haves” and silence.
I was driving through that desert, sensing the welling of anxious thoughts, when God came close and met me. As He gently shifted my focus off my self-imposed discouragement and onto His promises of acceptance, forgiveness, and love, the desert transformed before my eyes. The brown became a brilliant bronze, the blue sky glistening against the horizon. The cactus and Joshua trees reminded me that life emerges out of barren land, and the wind whipping up dust prompted me to know the Holy Spirit comforts and transforms our thoughts. The desolate desert came alive when God came close.
The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
– Psalm 145:18
Levi’s anxious view of the world changed the day Jesus called him to follow. Sinner, come as you are—broken, weary, shamed, and rejected. I see you, accept you, and will call you my friend. Come dine with me. What a beautiful invitation. I wonder if Levi’s world went from black and white to vibrant color that day.
Jesus extends an invitation to come close at any time and to follow Him, no matter our condition. He calls us to come close minute by minute, every day. He heals, He redeems, He saves, He invites, He accepts – He changes us and our perspective, which draws us into greater understanding that He cares about every detail of our life.
There will be desert days. Even Jesus endured seasons in the wilderness. In those seasons, He fasted and drew close to His heavenly Father. His physical weakness did not succumb to the Tempter’s plan because His Father nourished Him. The enemy has nothing of worth to offer a soul filled with the truth of God’s Word. Amen!
Friend, the Word of God has the same power in your wilderness. Come close and fast with Jesus, cling to Him and His cross when the Tempter tries to steal your true identity. Like Levi who found his true identity in Christ, you are also invited, chosen, known, and loved—just as you are. As you come close to Jesus, the world around you will transform and become more beautiful and radiant because you are changed.
Satan is by nature a liar. His casting of doubtful thoughts into the hearts of Adam and Eve is what caused the first sin. The reminder for me here is to trust who Christ said I am to Him despite the evil one’s planting of poisonous seed in my heart. I I accepted, wholly and dearly loved, as I am. Nothing can change that.
Amazing!! Lord help me to draw closer to you. Thank you Lord for choosing, saving, and loving me.
What a beautiful truth that I needed to hear!!!
What a blessing you are, Debbie.
He makes beautiful things
Great post, but I want to be honest in this community. When reading the author's opening paragraphs, my initial thoughts were "why in the world would driving alone cause anxiety???" And as I thought those thoughts and continued to read, I was convicted by the Holy Spirit. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, has things/issues/situations that we battle and it looks different for each person. As a follower of Christ, my job is not to judge it or even try to understand it, but simply to recognize another believer's struggle and to pray for them. For all the ladies struggling with anxiety (for whatever reason), I pray that your hearts and spirits are calmed with the love of Jesus Christ. That your minds are at peace because they are stayed on the Father. And that the Holy Spirit guides you daily to overcome those feelings of anxiety because you are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ. Hugs and Kisses to you all! Be blessed.
Thank you for that prayer. As someone dealing with anxiety, I appreciate your sweet words and prayer.
This post is amazing, never thought of things this way.. Or have I but didn’t notice it because I haven’t been thought this. Because I thought too why would the desert make anyone feel this way but I read further and I could relate in so may ways other than her way. But at the end of the day it’s all the same. I should judge but like the comment I read before pray for her.
Thank you so much. As one who has struggled with anxiety my entire life, your words mean more than you will ever know. Xoxo
I am currently battling anxiety right now. It’s a hard struggle fighting these evil and terrifying thoughts daily. I have anxiety about anything and everything but God has blessed with some wisdom this week and that’s I have to fight!! I can’t let myself sink deeper and deeper in these lies the devil feeds me. I have to fight satan! So here I am still in counseling and trying my best to fight and be okay every moment of every day. I thank you for you praying. This means so much to someone who loves God and deals with this constant fear and doubt. And not doubt in God, but doubt in myself.
Thank you for being willing to be convicted by the Spirit on this! As someone with chronic clinical anxiety I struggle daily. Today just got a little easier after reading your sweet words :$
:) rather!
So thankful that our identity is found in Christ, in what He has accomplished for us, not in what this world tells us we should be. In Christ we are chosen, redeemed, reconciled, loved, freed, rescued, forgiven, graced, accepted, adopted, sealed with the Holy Spirit, and have been given the most wonderful inheritance!!!! Everything we need and long for we already possess in Christ Jesus! It is finished! God loves us because of what Jesus has done, not because of what we do or don’t do.
Amen Nansta!!
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