Wood offers reassurance, direction in latest video message

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 - 3:20 PM CST

Wood

In light of the stress caused by the worldwide financial crises, Assemblies of God General Superintendent George O. Wood has created a special video message addressing the issue of overcoming anxiety and worry.

In the message, posted online on the Assemblies of God home page, Wood not only expresses his compassion for those under financial duress, but his empathy for those full of anxiety and worry at this time.

"I know what it is to be full of anxiety and worry," he admits. "I had a very serious problem with my nerves . . . . Getting to sleep took hours . . . . my legs, arms and back became pain centers.

 "My anxiety increased as I realized I was still in my twenties, and already was unable to handle stress," he says. "How could I ever remain in an occupation which required me to deal with people needs and problems, or required any amount of stress at all?"

God's response, Wood explains, was already in the making. He was studying the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:19-34) at that time. And in that passage, God provides four major keys to overcoming worry and anxiety, including holding loosely "external" things, keeping a clear (generous) outlook on life, not letting your trust be in money, and allowing our rational side to control our emotional side. Wood provides an in-depth analysis of each of these keys in his presentation.

Wood then continues by listing and explaining seven steps the Lord gives to overcoming worry and anxiety

"I want to warn you that this is a developmental process, that these steps given by the Lord may not be realized instantaneously in our experience," Wood says. "It has taken us awhile to fall into the trap of being ruled by our emotions, and it may take us some time to totally reverse the process."

Although some may find change instantaneous, others will find this change more like an ocean liner changing course - a wide, sweeping turn, rather than an abrupt about-face, Wood says.

"Are you anxious and burdened with worry?" Wood concludes. "Take these words from the Lord and ask Him to use them to renew your mind. Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you!"

To view the video, see the Assemblies of God Web site. An audio-only file will be posted next week.