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Stress is an ugly habit. I am aware how pervasive feelings of stress can be for me. I certainly have had many occasions in which stress was understandable. But often I cannot even identify what specifically is stressing me out. It shows in the tension in my shoulders and neck and I become aware that my breathing is shallow. This is not how I was meant to live, and certainly not how I want to live.

As I was thinking about this low-grade angst that is so hard to escape, a verse jumped out at me from the book of Ecclesiastes. “So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body.” (Eccl. 11:10) I love that image!

When I think of the word “banish,” I think of someone being thrown out of a kingdom. Banish is an aggressive word. In other words, we are encouraged to get aggressive with anxiety. Instead of thinking that there is nothing I can do about those anxious feelings, I throw out those worthless worries. I give them no voice. I banish them from my thoughts. 

While this sounds good in theory, banishing anxiety is harder to practice in reality. How do we banish something we cannot touch? First, we name the anxiety. “I am anxious about finances” or “I am anxious about the upcoming meeting.” Sometimes we may realize that we cannot even figure out why we are anxious. Just naming the anxiety begins to give us power over the anxiety. Second, we aggressively banish the anxiety. We cast it off with all of the will we can muster. Personally, I specifically cast it off to God. “Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you” (Ps 55:22) Third, we replace the anxiety. We choose hope over anxiety. Each of these steps represents proactive action against our worries. A word of caution though. Anxiety is a stubborn enemy. No sooner than we banish it, the worry will return uninvited. It takes practice to instruct our mind that anxiety is truly not welcome.

God’s ways are not our ways. Though we can count on His unfailing love, we cannot know how that love will show itself in the circumstances of life. The rain falls on the good and bad alike. The Teacher in Ecclesiastes suggests we let go of trying to figure God out. He encourages us to live life and enjoy the good gifts of God. Accept whatever comes from His hand. Since we cannot predict or control God, the Teacher calls us to banish anxiety. It serves no purpose and does no good. “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.” (11:4) Worry keeps us from living. 

Ecclesiastes is difficult to understand, but several messages are consistent. Life is short. Life will have ups and downs for the good and the bad person; it is not fair. We will never fully understand the events of our lives. Therefore, God’s gift is for us to enjoy life and the work of our hands. Leave running the universe to Him. Trust Him in the good and the bad. We can choose today to banish anxiety from our lives and find joy in the people we love and the work we do. Anything less is a waste of the gift of life that God has given each one of us.

Join the discussion 2 Comments

  • Cliff says:

    Well said Tommy. Stress is a killer! It kills joy, appreciation, gratitude and can hasten our journey to the grave. In order to address the stress in our lives requires that we stop and take stock of our feelings and emotions, which are not default actions for most men. Thank you you heart for God and us.

  • Stella says:

    This is especially good! Oxomom

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