As someone who suffers from Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Social Anxiety and for 5 years suffered from Agoraphobia, I want to say that anyone, like Richard who may suffer from these disorders, are NOT what Jesus was referring to in the parable of the 4 seeds.
Someone with anxiety disorder does not lack faith, but is entirely reliant on God even to do small things, that other people find insignificant, ie, answering the phone. Life becomes a cross to carry, that is unique, but is entirely centered on God, and is a sacrifice that is able to be offered to God.
Richard you did not choose your anxiety, but God will help you through it.
The anxiety Jesus was referring to, was anxiety about worldly things, ie what will I wear, eat, drink, how much money can I make, I need friends in high places, etc. These are necessities, and God promises to provide these things, so we do not need to worry about it.
Anxiety disorders are mental illnesses that can be totally unrelated to things of this world. And just because someone is not healed or cured, doesnt show a lack of faith. Otherwise would be say all Christian's who died from cancer lacked faith? Or what about those with type 1 diabetes, should we tell them to stop taking insulin, and if they dont then they lack faith?
2 Corinthians 12:8-10
"Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong."
Someone with anxiety disorder does not lack faith, but is entirely reliant on God even to do small things, that other people find insignificant, ie, answering the phone. Life becomes a cross to carry, that is unique, but is entirely centered on God, and is a sacrifice that is able to be offered to God.
Richard you did not choose your anxiety, but God will help you through it.
The anxiety Jesus was referring to, was anxiety about worldly things, ie what will I wear, eat, drink, how much money can I make, I need friends in high places, etc. These are necessities, and God promises to provide these things, so we do not need to worry about it.
Anxiety disorders are mental illnesses that can be totally unrelated to things of this world. And just because someone is not healed or cured, doesnt show a lack of faith. Otherwise would be say all Christian's who died from cancer lacked faith? Or what about those with type 1 diabetes, should we tell them to stop taking insulin, and if they dont then they lack faith?
2 Corinthians 12:8-10
"Three times I appealed to the Lord about this, that it would leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong."
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