Being a Christian non-anxious presence

People are talking more and more about the importance of being a non-anxious presence in leadership these days. So I thought I could share with you how solid Christian theology has helped me with my anxious thoughts over the years.

The first Bible truth I remember is that the Father is sovereign. I've summarised the book of Esther in six words: 'Heaven's hidden hand harbours his heritage'. Ephesians 1:11 says God has planned all things according to the plan of his will. Jesus said not a sparrow falls to the ground outside of our Father's care. The Father is sovereign and Romans 8 says he's working all things for our good, to conform us to the likeness of Jesus. The Father is sovereign and we can rest in that.

I remember going through a particularly rough time in ministry and my senior minister at the time was Simon Manchester and he had some very kind and wise words to say, but one thing particularly stuck in my head. He said 'Gerard you have a firm hold of God's sovereignty.' And it's true, I do, I have a very implicit trust that God is in charge even in the rough times, that he's planned it, that every one of my days is written in his book before it comes to pass. And I want to commend that high view of the Father's sovereignty to you, it helps in so much more than being a non-anxious presence.

The second truth I remember is that the Son is king. Jesus said all authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. The Father says 'I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.' Jesus said he's building his church and we are storming the gates of hell and hell will not prevail. The Father is sovereign, the Son is king. The Son will be honoured among all the nations. This world is heading somewhere, to everyone bowing before Jesus. And when things seem to be getting crazy, a phrase I often repeat to myself is 'Jesus is still on his throne'. Jesus is still on his throne. That's one of the most comforting thoughts when anxiety rises.

And the third truth I want to share with you is that the Spirit changes people. The sharing question at Share Life Monday a few weeks ago was about what power you wish you had in life. I said I sometimes wish I had the power to change people's hearts. In ministry you see people in the grips of addiction or making foolish decisions and I wish I could just get in there and do some heart surgery or re-wire their brain. But I can't. But I know someone who can. His name is the Holy Spirit. And so it forces me to my knees, to pray the Spirit would work. When anxiety rises because of other people, I remind myself that only the Spirit can change them.

And I should say to conclude this doesn't mean I do nothing. I still speak to people and encourage them to change. I try as much as I can to use God's word because I know that's the sword of the Spirit and if I want to see people change, that's what the Spirit uses. I don't just say let go and let God. God ordains the means as well as the ends. We see this in Esther: Mordecai has complete trust that God will save his people, but he says to Esther, 'Who knows if you have been brought to your royal position for such a time as this?’ He trusts God's sovereign salvation but it doesn't stop him from urging Esther into action. And it doesn't stop Esther from stepping forward in faith, taking the risk despite the fear of death and being used mightily by God.

I'd say I'm still very much an activist in the sense that I get in and do things. But as I go about my life, these three core theological truths help me stay grounded and keep anxiety from taking over: the Father is sovereign, the Son is king and the Spirit changes lives.