We're back with Ray Ortland, our guest on the Aspastor John podcast, as John Piper is

on a writing leave right now, working on his next book project.

And Ray, as you know, our greatest problem is sin.

We deserve God's judgment, and Christ has come to pay that penalty and to set us free

eternally.

But there are so many other benefits to this salvation that we now enjoy in Christ.

How does the gospel apply to the ever-returning anxieties and insecurities and the frettings

that we experience in the Christian life in those times?

Where do we go to regain our joy in Christ?

Well, I would say, first of all, Tony, there is a kind of hidden blessing in looking

back on my past and feeling wounded by my sin and folly that humbles me.

It keeps me leaning into the Lord and solemnizes me and warns me about my own potential

for sin.

So, I'm grateful for that.

But on the other hand, there are, as you suggest, anxieties and frettings and so forth

that are not of the Holy Spirit, and the Lord does not want us to bear those burdens.

I, one of my favorite passages in the Bible is 1 Peter 5, 7, cast all your cares on him

for he cares for you.

And the original text suggests the idea that if it matters to you, it matters also to

him.

He does not despise us for the many things we find hard to bear.

He doesn't tell us, buck up.

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