Taboo – Anxiety starts off a short series on mental health. “Don’t worry about. It will be fine. Everything is fine.” That advice doesn’t always help. Sometimes people who are anxious can’t stop thinking about… everything. Their minds spiral out of control. This way of thinking is extremely common. 1:5 people in America will struggle with anxiety this year. The good news is that God can help! Watch this study to see how your cares about you when you’re anxious.
Stressed
What does a confusion of Law and Gospel look like? Our topic affords the perfect example. Bob is stressing out! It’s his daughter’s birthday tomorrow and he’s sure he’s forgotten some detail. Yes, Bob got all of the party supplies a week ago. The invites were sent three week’s ago. Bob is ready, but he’s stressed. That’s kind of Bob’s life. Betty, Bob’s next door neighbor, can see he’s stressed as they cross paths at the mailbox. Bob says the party is coming up. Betty, sees her neighbor and friend looks anxious. So she offers helpful advice. “Bob, don’t worry about it. It will be fine.” Then she walks away.
Confused
That wasn’t malicious, Betty is a Christian woman who is loving her neighbor, right? There are roads paved to certain places that are paved with good intentions. Offering the phrase, “Don’t worry!” to an anxious person is a confusion of Law and Gospel. This is because Betty just gave Bob a command – a law. She thought she was offering gospel comfort, but she wasn’t. That’s were the confusing comes in. Bob walks away GUILTY because he knows he shouldn’t be worrying. Betty just convicted him of his anxiety. She is right. He shouldn’t be worrying.
What could Betty say differently? Our chapter from Taboo takes us through a four step process, great, advice and encouragement from our God.
Want to hear more? Watch this week’s study, Taboo – Anxiety.