Ellen Chat Conversation

The remedy for a heart burdened by panic and anxiety regarding the future is found in a complete surrender to God's ordering. Many individuals experience a troubled heart because they are afraid to fully trust themselves to God's care, shrinking from the potential consequences of total submission (MH 480). However, those who take Christ at His word and surrender their lives to Him will find a peace that the world cannot provide (HLv 221.5). This peace is not dependent on external circumstances but on the gladness found in His presence (HLv 221.5).

While the world may be in a state of shaking and uncertainty, the believer is encouraged to hear the voice of God saying, "Be still, and know that I am God" (21MR 346.2). Distressing forebodings and doubts bring no relief to the soul and should be rebuked rather than cherished (2MCP 476.1). Instead of focusing on the shaking of all things, the Christian is called to live out the prayer of Christ in practical life, which is the only way to stand the test of these times (21MR 346.2).

True restfulness in Christ does not require an ecstasy of feeling but rather an abiding trust that unites human weakness with His divine strength (TR 47). Even when the reasons for certain difficulties or interruptions in our work are not understood, we can be assured that the Lord will not leave us and that all things will work together for good for those who love Him (21MR 219.3). The promise of Christ to be with His followers "alway, even unto the end of the world" serves as a foundation for constant consolation and peace (21MR 219.3).

The biblical antidote to anxiety is to bring every request to God through prayer and thanksgiving (MH 199.2). By committing everything to Him, the believer receives a peace that passes all understanding, which keeps the heart and mind through Christ Jesus (MH 199.2). This peace is a gift from the Savior, who specifically commanded His followers not to let their hearts be troubled or afraid (MH 123.6).

You might also want to explore:What did Ellen White teach about the "shaking time" and how to prepare for it?How does a complete surrender to God affect mental and physical health?What practical steps did she suggest for overcoming "distressing forebodings" about the future?

The counsel regarding anxiety, particularly in the context of daily living and health, emphasizes that a state of constant worry is detrimental to both physical and spiritual well-being. Individuals are encouraged to exercise their best judgment in their habits and then rest in the belief that God hears their prayers for strength and blessing (CD 109.1). This transition from anxiety to trust is a vital component of the Christian experience, as dwelling on potential harm or future difficulties only serves to darken the mind and impair one's ability to appreciate divine truth (TSDF 32). In the specific context of health and diet, there is a warning against a type of "health reform" that is characterized by continual worry. When a person has chosen simple, wholesome food and asked for a blessing upon it, they are instructed not to think about whether the food will injure them, but to remain at rest (HL 85.5).

Such undue anxiety can actually lead to the very digestive troubles and nervous agitation that the individual is trying to avoid (TSDF 126). Ultimately, the remedy for all such anxieties is found in the principle of cooperation with the Divine. While humans are under obligation to keep their bodies in the most healthful condition possible, they must also recognize that the Lord helps those who seek to help themselves (CD 35.1). By acting our part with "fear and trembling"—not in a sense of panic, but in a sense of sacred responsibility—we can leave the results to God and find a peace that transcends our immediate circumstances (GCB May 30, 1909, par. 14).

You might also want to explore:What did Ellen White teach about the relationship between a healthy diet and a clear conscience?How does she describe the impact of a "diseased imagination" on a person's religious experience?What practical counsel did she give regarding the balance between strictness in health reform and avoiding extremes?