Benefits of Anxiety

Benefits of Anxiety
I never thought I would say this: “Anxiety is not all bad. It has positive side effects.” The negative side effects of anxiety are physical. The positive side effects are spiritual benefits.
Benefit #1: It teaches us to resist love of the world and what is in the world and intensifies love of the Father. John 2:15-17: Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
I drive a 2008 Hyundai Tucson with over 100k miles. It is probably the only car I will own for the rest of my life. My car is not love of the world and what is in the world. It is transportation. If I desired a new more powerful SUV then it would be love of things in the world. When I watch a neighbor drive by in a flashy and throbbing Dodge Charger, Ford Mustang, or Chevy Camaro, I know that car is his idol. He loves the things of the world, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of showing off his idol. If I had the world’s best SUV then the love of the Father would take second place to the love of the things in the world.
I watched a YouTube video and flushed the power steering fluid (PSF). Air got in the system. When I started the engine, the fluid was frothy with bubbles and the power steering pump made a terrible grinding noise. I thought I failed the flush and ruined the pump. I imagined an expensive repair. I was very anxious! I could not sleep. The next day I prayed over my Tucson, “Father God, I seek first your kingdom and righteousness and you promised to supply my needs. I do not love the things in the world. I do not drive a car to show off and bolster my self-importance. I need this car. It is transportation. Heal my car, in Jesus’ name.” After turning the engine on and off, the wheels right to left, and refilling the PSF several times, the pump noise stopped, and the power steering became easy. Father God answered my request. He gave me wisdom. The anxiety I felt taught me not to love the things in the world and “drove” me to dependence on the Father. Anxiety teaches us to love Father God. Anxiety reminds us that the world and its desires are passing away. Anxiety reminds us a perfect world is coming with Christ. Anyone who does the will of God by seeking first His kingdom and righteousness will live forever.
(Additional blessing: Another good that came out of the anxious situation was I found an honest Christian mechanic a mile from my house. He drained and replaced the brake fluid and did a few other repairs the car needed after 100k miles.)

I have two more benefits which I will publish next time. God bless.