One look at the news reminds us that our world gives us plenty to be anxious about: A worldwide recession, global warming, war, disease and hunger, injustice, and hurricanes. And as compassionate human beings, we worry about those things. Are we doing enough to help? Here’s a chorus that faith teaches us: We’re created in the image of God—the creator of heaven and earth; of all that is, seen and unseen. Today it appears that miracles are fewer and farther between. But on our good days, we’ll have the strength to keep looking. “For surely I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord, in Jeremiah. “…plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. If you seek me with all your heart, I will let you find me, says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 29: 11, 14) Sometimes we don’t have to see it. Sometimes the knowledge that we’re fearfully and wonderfully made, that God’s plan for us entails a future with hope—sometimes that’s enough.
This message is adapted from “I Am Freaking Out! How Your Faith Can Combat Anxiety” by Jessica Nipp in the November 2010 issue of Café magazine.