Escaping the Black Hole of Anxiety
How the Gospel is like Bottle Rockets and Cough Drops for the Heavy Soul
Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down,
but a good word cheers it up.
— Proverbs 12:25
Ain’t that the truth?
Anxiety has a way of spiraling us down into a black hole. The thoughts become so immersive that they all begin to feel real, certain, and good as done. Like our own virtual mental reality. The what-ifs, whys, probablys, how-comes, and I-know-its, all of the fears and catastrophizing are like walking with a two-ton weighted vest on the soul. “Weighs it down.” It is a marvel of our physiology how our thoughts affect our emotional and physical responses. I know this reality all too well. But there is good news.
If our thoughts can burrow us down into anxiety’s abyss—a counter-thought can climb us out.
As Solomon said, “But a good word cheers it up.” I love the word cheer. The Hebrew carries the idea of rejoicing, gladdening, and being merry. So, a good word doesn’t just regulate us; it can rocket us into joy.
The Good Words from the Good News
As disciples of the risen Christ, we have many good words in the Bible. Even if the worst happens, greater realities can bend our hearts and souls upward, Godward. The gospel’s gravity is greater.
God is good (Ps 73:1).
God will lead us (Ps 23).
God will fulfill his plans for our lives (Ps 138:8).
God is for us (Rom 8:31).
We are eternally forgiven of our sins (1 John 1:9).
We are brand new in Christ (2 Cor 5:17).
We have zero credible condemnation on us (Rom 8:1).
We are helped by the Spirit (Rom 8:26).
We have eternal life (John 17:3).
We will rise again from the dead (Rom 6:5).
But at times, this cheering can take time.
Why It Takes Time
Sometimes, we meditate on the gospel's good news and wonder why we aren’t immediately filled with joy. Sometimes, it hits like smelling salts. Other times, it’s like perpetually driving in a school zone. Why? Our condition is often the culprit. How far have we burrowed? How much weight is in the vest? There’s a world of difference between 3 lbs and 30 lbs.
Sometimes, spiritually, all we need is a cup of ice water for our dry throat. “Good news from a distant land is like cold water to a parched throat” (Prov 25:25). Instant relief. A quick gulp of gospel truth. Other times, we need a lozenge, a cough drop. Over time, we feel the relief—gradual gospel meditation. A bottle rocket goes off quickly. A SpaceX rocket takes more prep and time. Then, liftoff.
The gospel is a word of good cheer. The whole Bible is good news that gladdens the soul. Take a sip. Chug if you must. Grab a handful of drops to go. Keep meditating on the word.
Fantastic. Thank you for this!