Understanding God

The next step on our journey toward overcoming anxiety, worry, doubt, and fear is to make sure we have a correct understanding of God—His nature, power, presence, might, intelligence (wisdom), love, majesty, holiness, and so on. This understanding is essential in defeating anxiety, worry, doubt, and fear (AWDF), and it also helps you to “stand firm” (1Co 16:13) in your faith when faced with difficult situations and circumstances. Moreover, having a correct understanding of Who God is is essential to the Christian faith. This isn’t a topic that gets a lot of attention in Christian literature, but serious contemplation and meditation on the nature of God can help build and maintain a strong faith!

OUR GOD IS A BIG GOD

When you experience anxiety, worry, doubt, or fear, you are essentially thinking (or implying) that God doesn’t know what you need or what you are facing, or that He might not be able to handle what’s happening to or around you.[1] And when you think this way, the truth is, you are making God small! I’m pretty sure that is not your intention, and perhaps you are doing so unconsciously, but there is still no escaping that conclusion. But our God, the “living and true God” (1Th 1:9; cf. Isa 44:6), is a BIG God (Mat 19:26; Mar 10:27; Luk 1:37; 18:27; cf. Php 2:10; 4:13; Rom 8:31–39; 14:11; 1Jn 4:4; Joh 10:28–30; Rev 1:8; 22:13; Jos 1:9; Jer 1:19; Isa 50:7–9; 54:17; Psa 23:4–6; 27:1–3; 46:1–3; 56:4, 11; 84:11–12; 91:1–16; 118:6). He is the One who simply “spoke” (see Gen 1:3), bringing the entire universe and all living things into existence. Imagine the power in such words! Yes, He is awesome in might and power (Mat 19:26; Mar 10:27; Luk 1:37; 18:27).

Therefore, always remember in Whom you have placed your faith and trust:

• “The Most High” God (Deu 32:8; 2Sa 22:14; Psa 18:13; 40:4; 78:35);
• “The Almighty” God (Gen 49:25; Job 8:5; 21:15; Psa 68:14; 91:1);
• The “Lord God of hosts” (see 2Sa 5:10; Psa 59:5; 80:19; Amo 9:5; Jer 31:35);
• He who is “Holy, Holy, Holy” (Rev 4:8; cf. Isa 6:3; 1Pe 1:16; Lev 19:2; Act 7:33; Psa 11:4; 29:2; 103:1);[2]
• The Creator of all things on earth and in the heavens, whose very words give life (Gen 1:1–3; Col 1:16; Joh 1:3, 10; Rev 4:11; Psa 96:5; 115:15; 146:5–6; Job 38:1–42:6);
• He who now upholds every single particle, atom, molecule, planet, star, galaxy, and living creature in this entire universe simply “by the word of His power” (Heb 1:3; cf. Psa 75:3; Joh 1:4; Col 1:17; Rev 4:11);
• He who rules and reigns supreme over all matters (Rom 8:28–39; 1Co 15:25–28; Mat 11:27; 26:64; 28:18; Joh 3:35; 13:3; Eph 1:30; Php 2:9–11; 2Ti 2:13; Heb 1:3–4, 13; 2:8; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; 1Pe 3:22; Rev 1:18; Luk 22:69; Col 3:1; Act 7:55; Psa 8:6);
• He who never lies (Tit 1:2; Num 23:19; Heb 6:18; Rom 3:4; Jas 1:17);
• He who doesn’t change His mind (Heb 13:8; Jas 1:17; cf. 2Ti 2:13);
• He who doesn’t fail on His promises (Isa 40:8; 45:23; 55:11; Num 23:19; Psa 89:34; 119:89–91; Mat 5:18; 24:35; Joh 10:35; Pro 30:5; 1Pe 1:23–25; Hab 2:3; Luk 16:17; 21:33; Lam 2:17; 1Th 2:13; 2Ti 2:13; Rom 11:29; cf. 2Pe 1:20–21; 2Ti 3:16–17; Heb 4:12);
• He who is eternal—having no beginning or end (Joh 1:1–2; 8:58; 17:5; Rev 1:8, 17–18; 2:8; 21:6; 22:13; Heb 1:10–12; 13:8; 1Pe 1:20; Exo 3:13–14; Col 1:17; Isa 9:6; 43:13; Psa 90:2; Pro 8:22–30; Mic 5:2);
• He who is omniscient—all-knowing regarding the past, present, and future (1Jn 3:20; Isa 46:10; Jer 29:11; Psa 139:4; 147:5; Heb 4:12–13; Mat 10:26–30; Luk 12:2; Pro 5:21; 15:3; Psa 11:4);
• He who is omnipresent—everywhere present all at once (2Ch 16:9; Job 34:21; Psa 34:15; Pro 5:21; 15:3; Jer 16:17; 32:19; Zec 4:10; Heb 4:13; 1Pe 3:12); and
• He who is omnipotent—all-powerful (Dan 4:35; Isa 43:13; 14:27; Gen 18:14; Job 42:1–2; Luk 1:37; Act 26:8; Jer 32:27; 1Co 15:22–28; Rev 19:20; 20:10–15; 21:1–8; Rom 14:11; Php 2:10; Mat 19:26; Mar 10:27; Luk 1:37; 18:27).

When you cannot take even one more step or when you see anxiety, worry, doubt, and fear starting to rise up in you, cry out to God for His strength (Php 4:13; 2Co 12:10). He will lead you forward one day at a time to salvation (Php 3:12, 14; Heb 6:1). His strength is perfect.[3] His will is perfect. He gave His life for you, and then He conquered death itself. So let us not make God smaller to fit our thoughts and beliefs of what we think He can or can’t do (Mat 19:26; Mar 10:27; Luk 1:37; 18:27).

GOD KNOWS AND SEES ALL THINGS

Because God is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent, nothing ever surprises Him or catches Him off guard (1Jn 3:20; Psa 147:5; 139:4; Heb 4:13; Jer 29:11; Mat 10:30; cf. Joh 2:24–25; Pro 5:21; 15:3; Psa 11:4). He quite literally knows and sees all—the big picture and the smallest details—even when we cannot. There is nothing He cannot handle (Gen 18:14; Jer 32:27). Nothing overwhelms Him (1Jn 4:4). He doesn’t change His mind (Heb 13:8; Jas 1:17), He doesn’t lie (Tit 1:2; Num 23:19; Heb 6:18; Rom 3:4; Jas 1:17), and He doesn’t break His promises (2Ti 2:11–13). When you cry out to God in prayer, He hears you (1Jn 5:14–15; 1Pe 3:12; 2Ch 16:9; Psa 34:15; Php 4:6–7). He knows your voice, and you will know His (Joh 10:27). He knows everything about you[4] (1Jn 3:20; Psa 147:5; 139:4; Heb 4:13; Jer 29:11; Mat 10:30), for “the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His” (2Ch 16:9; cf. Psa 34:15; Pro 5:21; 15:3; 1Pe 3:12; Heb 4:13; Job 28:24; 34:21; Jer 16:17; 23:34).

Furthermore, at this very instant, Jesus is “seated at the right hand of God [the Father]” in heaven (Col 3:1; cf. Mat 22:44; Mar 12:36; 16:19; Luk 20:42; 22:69; Rom 8:34; Heb 1:3, 13; 8:1; 12:2; 1Pe 3:22; Eph 1:20–21; 4:10; Act 2:34; 7:55–56),[5] (Mat 22:44; 26:64; Mar 12:36; 14:62; 16:19; Luk 20:42; 22:69; Eph 1:20–22; 4:10; Act 1:9; 2:34; 7:55–56; Rom 8:34; Col 3:1; 1Pe 3:21–22; Heb 1:3, 13; 8:1; 10:12; 12:2; Rev 1:5; 19:15; Psa 110:1; cf. Mat 28:18; Col 1:15–16; 2:10, 15; Php 2:9–10), “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Eph 1:20–21; cf. Mat 28:18; 1Ti 6:15; Heb 2:8; Rom 14:11; Php 2:9–11; Rev 10:11–15; 17:14; 19:16).

Nothing whatsoever happens to a Christian that He doesn’t fully know about and allow—ever. Thus, for a “child of God” (see Joh 1:12–13; 11:52; Act 17:29; Rom 8:14–16, 19, 21; 9:8; Php 2:15; 1Jn 3:1–2, 10; 5:2; Mat 5:9; 12:50; Luk 20:36; Gal 3:26; 4:1–7; 1Pe 1:13–16), there is no such thing as luck (good or bad), fortune, or coincidence. Moreover, we see it written, “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom 8:28–39; cf. Mat 10:29–31; 1Pe 3:12; Gen 45:5; 50:20; 2Ch 16:9; Psa 34:15; 145:18; Pro 5:21; 15:3). This includes both your good and also the collective good of all those who love Him and call on His holy name (cf. Php 1:12–14). Yes, as Christians we are now under the care of Jesus!

Romans 8:28–29 are some of the most powerful anxiety-busting verses in all of Scripture. So let us be always mindful of Whom it is that we are “abiding in” and Who is “abiding in us” (see 1Jn 4:12–13; cf. Joh 5:38; 6:56; 14:16–20, 23; 15:1–10; 17:21; 1Jn 2:6, 10, 14, 24, 27–28; 3:6, 9, 17, 24; 4:15–16; 2Jn 2, 9; Rom 8:9–11; 1Co 3:16; Gal 2:20; 2Ti 1:14). Let us learn to press into Jesus when we are feeling anxious, “for His yoke is easy and His burden is light” (see Mat 11:30). Call on His strength, not your own,[6] and then move forward, standing firm in faith and taking all things to Him in prayer.

ABBA FATHER

Please take a moment to stop and reflect deeply on what this means: The eternal, all-powerful Creator of the entire universe—the Source of all life itself (Act 3:15; Joh 1:4; 4:10, 14; 10:28; 11:25–26; 14:6; 17:2; Rev 1:17–18; 22:1, 17)—wanted to “adopt” you as His son or daughter (Rom 8:15, 23; Gal 4:5; Eph 1:5) so that you can have eternal life with Him in heaven. And He wants that so much that He died for you in the Person of His Son, Jesus Christ. Amazing and amen! That, brother or sister in Christ, should give you great comfort and remind you of how deeply valuable you are to Him.

In fact, let’s make a partial list of the promises God has made to you:

• He will never leave, forget, or forsake you (Heb 13:5);
• Nothing on, under, or above the earth can separate you from His love (Rom 8:37–39);
• When you are faithless, He is still faithful (2Ti 2:11–13);[7]
• He will provide for your needs (Mat 6:25–34; Eph 3:20; Joh 10:10);
• He is working all things for your good and the collective good of all believers (Rom 8:28–39; Php 1:12–14; Mat 10:29–31; 1Pe 3:12; Gen 45:5; 50:20; 2Ch 16:9; Psa 34:15; 145:18; Pro 5:21; 15:3);
• He will raise you up to eternal life on the last day (Joh 6:39–40, 44, 54; 1Co 15:50–57; 1Th 4:13–18);[8]
• You will live in heaven (described as “Paradise,” Luk 23:43) for eternity, where there is no more sin, corruption, disease, pain, suffering, tears, or death (Rev 21:1–22:21);
• He has fully and completely defeated sin, Satan, and death at the cross for us; “It is finished” (see Luk 10:18; Joh 12:31; 19:30; Heb 2:14; 1Jn 3:8; 2Ti 1:10; 1Co 15:24–26; Rev 1:18; 12:7–9; 20:14; 21:4);
• He will never lie to you (Tit 1:2; Num 23:19; Heb 6:18; Rom 3:4; Jas 1:17); and
• He will never change His mind about any of the promises He has made to you (Heb 1:12; 13:8; Jas 1:17; cf. Psa 103:17; Mal 3:6).

Yes, trials and tribulations are part of this world (Joh 16:33; Rev 2:10; 7:14), but you can use them to strengthen your faith (Jas 1:2–4; Rom 5:3–4; 2Co 4:17–18; Act 5:41; Eph 3:13). So “fight the good fight of faith” one day at a time (2Ti 4:7–8). This is hard to do at times, yet we must! Remember that you are God’s, and He is yours (Joh 6:39–40). No mere schemes of man, nor evil powers, nor anything under, on, or above the earth or in the heavens is more powerful than He is (Rom 8:28–39; cf. 2Ti 2:13).

Be sure to read His Word daily (Mat 4:4; Psa 1:2), “put on the full armor of God” (see Eph 6:10–17)[9] and draw strength from that protection. Pray for His wisdom to guide you (Jas 1:5) and for His peace to guard your heart (Php 4:6–7; cf. Joh 14:27; 2Th 3:16; 1Pe 5:6–7) so you can, as the psalmist says, “Cease striving [be still ESV] and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Look past the temporary trials and afflictions here in this world and set your sights on being with Him in unspeakable glory, peace, and happiness in heaven (2Co 4:17–18), for you have come “out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1Pe 2:9; cf. Col 1:13; 1Th 5:4–5; Eph 5:8; 6:12; Rom 2:19; Act 26:18; Joh 1:5; 3:19–20; 8:12; Psa 107:10–11).

EXAMINE YOURSELF!

Finally, let each of us continually test and examine ourselves (2Co 13:5)—deep down at the very core of our heart, mind, and soul (Mat 22:37; Mar 12:30; Luk 10:27)—regarding the following:

• Do you believe God is of unspeakable majesty, power, glory, intelligence (wisdom), love, and holiness?
• Do you believe He sees you and every single thing that happens to you (and other Christians as well)?
• Do you believe all things work together for good for those who call on His name?
• Do you believe He will do every single thing He said He will do in Scripture?[11]

Your answers to those questions will ultimately decide how you handle AWDF in your life from here on out.[12]

CHAPTER PRAYER

Most holy and heavenly Father, King of kings and Lord of lords, I desire to know You better and to fully understand the depth, breadth, and width of Your love for me. Help me to study and meditate on Your Holy Word and to appreciate the awesomeness of Your power, presence, might, and strength. Help me to deeply understand that You know all things at all times, that You know everything that happens to me—now and in the future—and that You have promised a future for me with You. Help me to realize that You are here with me right now, this very instant, as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and that nothing can come between me and You if I stand firm in my faith and obedience to You. I believe that He who began a good work in me will see it to completion on the day of Christ Jesus. Help me to know that You rule over all things in heaven and on earth. Amen.