Title: Turn Your Anxiety into a Benefit
2 Corinthians (29) Make sorrow a profit (2 Corinthians 7:9-11)
<Benefits of Anxiety>
People are usually not faithful to God. When we are in dire need, we seek God, but when things get better, we turn away from Him. God constantly loves people who commit such treachery. That love of God is almost like one-sided unrequited love. Why is life heavy, gloomy and lonely? It is because they know that they are also grieving God when they betray God. Why does God sometimes discipline some people? To make him right.
Suffering is the bond that binds the soul to God. If there is no pain, how can man earnestly long for God? Pain makes us aware that we are human beings with limitations. It also reminds us of the futility of things we cling to. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the benefits of such pain and sorrow well in the text.
When the apostle Paul heard the news that the Corinthian church had gone astray, he sent a letter rebuking them. And wait for the news. The content of the text is to write a letter with joy and thanks when Titus finally returned and heard that the church in Corinth had repented and returned. When I see such good results, I realize that pain and anxiety are sometimes necessary.
Do you have days to dry your tears because it is difficult to live in the fortress? If there is no answer no matter how much you pray, and it seems that you do not see the way, this question comes up. "God! Are you seeing this situation right now? Why do I have to suffer like this?” God does not reveal the exact cause of that suffering. However, one thing is clear: God's good will is always present in the trials and sufferings of the saints.
Pain is an invitation to re-examine life from its roots How often in life do you not live a just life and use the wrong means to force yourself to do things? Now introspect yourself and get away from the worldly ways and go the way God wants you to go. Of course, there are many people who do not even have the energy to reflect on themselves, being pushed to the brink of survival in an unjust and difficult world. As you strive to be their neighbor, the burdens of life will be lightened.
<Be creatively concerned>
As you go through life, you need worries. Which word appears the most in the text? The word 'worry' appears eight times. But the word worry doesn't sound so bad. Such anxiety is not necessarily a bad thing. What is important is what kind of anxiety you have. There is needless sorrow, but there is also necessary sorrow. However, the duration of any sorrow should be as short as possible (verse 8).
“What are you worried about?” It is also important to ask, “How long are you worried?” The issue is also important. If you do not set a time period for worry, it is difficult to achieve creative work through sorrow. Therefore, it is sometimes necessary to make a decisive decision in the matter of concern. In other words, we need to set the limit of worrying about things to be worried about and putting aside trivial things. Anxiety that continues without end is detrimental to health and ruins other important things. Therefore, no matter what you are worried about, you should worry for a while and try to produce good results soon.
The question is, “Are you worried? “Are you not?” is not the question, but “What are you worried about?” is to do Don't expect your life to be carefree, but rather work hard. Sometimes care is necessary. But be concerned for a moment. So, think about how you will accomplish God's will and take action. And, finally, turn your worries into good. Creatively sublimated care never hurts.