“A Prophetic Word” Day 48: Don’t confuse zeal with angst.

“The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.””

John 2:13-17 ESV

Jesus went into the temple and found merchandising going on, buying and selling without regard for the sanctity of the House of God. Indeed, Jesus then literally whipped them out of the temple. The scripture brought to the disciples’ minds by this scene, is found in Psalms:

“For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me.”

Psalm 69:9 ESV

No one need try to discern whether Jesus was acting out of zeal or self-serving motives. What He did, His actions, were for the sake of His Father’s House.

Whereas we are also to have zeal for the Lord’s work and His Kingdom, we must distinguish between zeal and angst, in terms of our motivation.

Here is the way to know the difference: If what I am feeling is angst about a particular situation, then it indicates that I am somehow trying to deal with it out of my own (carnal) resources. In other words, I am thinking of what I want/need to say; what I want/need to do; how does this affect my personal agenda?

Now, the way we are to deal with difficult circumstances surrounding us, is to submit them to the Lord, then follow His Spirit’s instruction as to what we are to do or not do. Then, obedience to what His Spirit instructs, is the goal rather than my fixing or managing the situation. When we operate in this way, the result will be intensity with peace (zeal) as opposed to intensity with a “vested” interest (angst).

If you are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, fighting a feeling of dread, fear, or even anger, in terms of a situation, understand that you are trying to draw strength and direction from the well of your own ability, rather than tapping into the limitless resources of The Lord!

Let us strive to deal with challenging and/or contrary circumstances without becoming filled with angst. When things are acted on in a spirit of angst, we rarely end up honoring God with our actions. That is never a good result.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!