Episode 16: Anxious for Nothing
An interview with Melissa Zaldivar
Melissa breaks down what Paul really means when he says, “Be Anxious for Nothing” in Philippians 4:6. Does Paul really mean that as Christians we should have no anxiety in this life? Are we failures or disappointing to God if we struggle with worry, fear, depression, or anxiety? No!
The Seeds
Name: Melissa Zaldivar
Age: 31
Where do you call home? Just outside of Boston
Relationship Status: Single
Season of Work: Book Marketing Manager
Hobbies: writing, photo and video, history
Interesting Facts about me: I love Little Women, General Stores and NASA.
Jesus Journey: I came to know Jesus as a little girl and believed He was who He said He was. As I got older and things got more challenging, He somehow always came through. We’ve been together through it all.
The Branches
Melissa, what things make you anxious?
In my experience sometimes it’s situational, sometimes it’s based on a traumatic event, and then sometimes it’s general anxiety. Anxiety can happen for a variety of reasons…when life is downright hard, sad, or perhaps you’re predisposed genetically.
As a theologian what’s your take on why Paul in his letter to the Philippians, tells them to “not be anxious about anything” but knowing full well that as human beings it’s normal to experience anxiety?
Paul is writing a letter to the Philippians to tell them how to be followers of Christ. In Phil 1 he was talking about rejoicing in the Lord, and encouraging them to go to the Lord. If Paul is writing this from prison..it’s important to know the context. He doesn’t want the Philippians to be stressed out about him being in prison…or anything else. I believe Paul is saying, the Lord is with you THEREFORE you are all good. He’s saying that there is something to hope for. It’s important to remember the BIG PICTURE. You don’t need to be anxious about every little thing in your life because God is our Father and is going to take care of us.
2020 has been a HELL of a year for ‘Olive Us!’ With all the uncertainty, a global pandemic, racial injustice, a presidential election...we’re all wondering what shoe will drop next! How do we as followers of Christ remain hopeful? How do you personally remain hopeful?
Sometimes it’s just the grace of God! Sometimes I talk out loud to Jesus in my car! Sometimes I sleep next to my bible because I don’t want to open it! Being in relationship with Jesus is work. I view my relationship with God as a marriage. Getting out of bed by the grace of God has allowed me to see the grace of God.
2019 was a particularly painful season in your life. Lots of loss in your life...friends that went to meet Jesus, you lost your job, and other normal life stuff. Did that season change you in any way? What is your advice for people who feel like this is the absolute worst season of their life and they are questioning their Faith in God right now?
Be honest with Jesus!! You have to not pretend that it’s fine. When Jesus was on Earth with the disciples he valued their honesty. He already knows what we’re thinking but when we’re not honest it builds a wall between us. He can handle our doubt, fear, and anxiety. It’s like complaining to the doctor about a headache, but not telling him about your internal bleeding. The doctor will only treat the headache and not the internal bleeding. It doesn’t help anyone when we don’t acknowledge where we’re at.
Recently, you decided to start taking anxiety medication…why did you decide to make this choice? What’s your advice for someone who feels guilty for even considering anti-anxiety medications?
So much of Evangelical Christianity says to “pull up your bootstraps” and do it yourself in order to be better. At the same time we are humans! We have limits and boundaries. When we believe the lie that we have to have it all together and that we’re 100% responsible to manage our own mental health issue, we’re hurting ourselves. Sometimes we need medication because it’s the appropriate coping mechanism for the season we’re in. Sometimes you have to swallow your pride and swallow Prozac (LOL!)
The Olive Tree
Finish these statements:
God is…who He says He is!
I can be anxious for nothing because…I can trust him with everything.
"Olive Us" are better when…we see one another as human beings and not as perfect objects.
Thanks for having me, “Olive Us”
I would LOVE to have you follow along and listen to my Podcast “Cheer Her On”, where we celebrate the women who raised us, the ones who sat with us in sorrow and the ones who lost their voices cheering us toward the Truth. You can also join me on IGTV every Monday at 6pm PST/8pm CST/9pm EST to talk about my book “Kingdom Come.”
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