The Opposite of Anxiety

By Danny Saavedra

“... See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.”—Isaiah 28:16 (NIV)

Have you ever been stricken with panic? Have you ever been engulfed in anxiety and fear? The kind of feeling that makes you want to run and hide from whatever is causing your anxiety as if you were fleeing an antagonist in a horror film? 

More and more, we see people—even as young as middle school—experiencing high levels of stress and anxiety, even having panic attacks. For those suffering, there often seems like no answers can be found anywhere; there’s no rest, no relief, no respite. It’s altogether paralyzing. I’ve seen it take a firm grip on the lives of friends and close family, and even from my vantage point, I struggle to find answers or comfort for the afflicted.  

In Isaiah, we’re given an answer . . . the ONLY answer that will make a difference: the cornerstone of Zion. This verse is referring to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. But why does the Lord refer to Himself as the cornerstone in Zion? Theologian Albert Barnes explains, “To lay a cornerstone in Zion means that his kingdom would be founded on a rock, and would be secure amidst all the storms that might beat upon it.” You see, the word Zion essentially means fortification. It implies security and protection; it alludes to being raised up.

What is even more interesting is the concept of the cornerstone. Did you know that ancient kings like Solomon used to employ foundational stones of enormous size and weight at the corners of buildings? The cornerstones of Solomon's temple that were uncovered were more than 38 feet long and weighed more than 100 tons. 

Now that seems like a pretty sure foundation to me. And that’s exactly what we have in our precious Christ; an unbreakable, unshakeable, immovable foundation that stands the test of time and keeps us standing in the face of panic-inducing winds and terrifying storms. 

We who have His Spirit in us—who live by Him, in Him, and through Him—have nothing to fear. We can be “pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9 NIV) Please don’t think I’m trivializing anyone’s struggles with anxiety. I know the struggle is very real! But there is rest and freedom in the arms of Jesus; we find security from the storms in Him.

DIG: Read 2 Corinthians 4 and Philippians 4. 

DISCOVER: Have you ever struggled with anxiety and panic attacks? What did you do in those seasons? 

DISPLAY: If you find yourself in that place of panic, please e-mail us today! Do not hesitate. We are here for you and want to walk with you through this debilitating season. If you know someone who is struggling, spend the next week fasting and praying for them.