Daily Devotionals
December 20, 2021
Being vigilant without being anxious
DAILY READING
FIELD NOTES
This season of anticipation is coupled with the belief that the Son of man will return again. No one knows when this will happen and Christ said that His followers should always be ready because the Son of man would come when it is least expected. This concept makes me reflect on the difference between being anxious about an event and being vigilant.
It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between an unhealthy level of anxiety and being properly vigilant. An unhealthy level of anxiety is a destructive power that cloaks us with fear and cripples us from action. We can become paranoid, doubtful and see the world through a dark and negative lens. In Davis’ recent sermon, he evoked the concept of “doomscrolling” which is spending an excessive amount of time (scrolling on social media) detaching from our lives and consuming predominantly negative news. It traps us into a mindset of pessimism and negative thinking and fuels our anxiety.
On the other hand, we need to be vigilant. To be vigilant means “to keep careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.” A vigilant person actively pays attention to what is vying for their attention and how that impacts their lives.
With this in mind, how can we be vigilant without growing anxious? As 1 Corinthians 16:13 tells us “Keep alert, stand firm in your faith…” Our faith being “…the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1). Our faith allows us to be vigilant without growing anxious.
QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD
- How can we be vigilant without growing anxious? What does God call us to be vigilant about?
FAMILY FIELD TALK
- Do you know the difference between being worried and preparing for things? How are those two things different?
PRAYER GUIDE
Dear Lord, soothe my anxious heart. Help me to be vigilant without being anxious, trusting that you are always with me. And Lord, when I feel afraid and anxious, comfort and guide me. Amen.