3 Ways to Fight Anxiety

Abiding in Jesus’ Love

In today’s society we can often feel alone and anxious, even if at the same time we have thousands of followers on social media. The truth is that we have been created to have meaningful personal friendships. Social media frequently gives us only superficial interactions. Our hearts need to be intimately connected with others. That need for connection must be satisfied first and foremost by our relationship with God.

I was personally reminded of this at an ordination for an auxiliary bishop for the San Diego Diocese. The motto of Bishop John Dolan is “Abide in my love” (Jn 15:9). In his remarks after the ordination, Bishop John invited everyone to live and to rest in the love of Jesus for us.

When people in a boat don’t want to drift due to wind or current, they use an anchor. Abiding in the love of Christ is the anchor that gives us peace and security in the midst of temptation and suffering. Having an intimate knowledge of the love of Christ for us helps us to hold steady even when pushed by the world, the devil, or our own selfishness.

But, what exactly do we mean by abiding in the love of Christ?:

1. Abiding in Jesus’ love is first of all believing. It is believing that the love of Jesus for us is real. Yes, Jesus truly loves me! Jesus truly loves you!
2. Abiding is also trusting, which means having an unmovable confidence that the love of Christ for us does not go away. We might block the love of Jesus through sin, but he doesn’t actually stop loving us.
3. Lastly, abiding means receiving. It is knowing that we are at the receiving end of the love of Christ. Jesus has loved us first (cf. 1 Jn 4:19). Therefore, we don’t need to earn His love. The love of Christ is freely given, it is a gift.

May we at all times abide in the love of Christ by believing, trusting, and receiving.