Dissipation, Drunkenness, Anxieties of Life

I was reading Luke chapter 21 where Jesus is talking about the signs of the End of the Age. Some of the things He talked about related to the disciples and things that were going to be happening in their life time. And then He tells them “…make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.” vs 14,15 And some of the things He talked about related to things that haven’t happened yet … yet they might in our lifetimes. Then He says, “When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” vs 28 After talking about fig trees and summer and how His words will never pass away, He says …

“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21:34-36
So I got to wondering what in the world is dissipation? And I know what drunkenness is … right? And I’m pretty good at recognizing worry … or am I?

Dissipation is : waste, wastefulness: useless or profitless activity; using or expending or consuming thoughtlessly or carelessly; "if the effort brings no compensating gain it is a waste"; "mindless dissipation of natural resources" According to WordReference.com. Useless or profitless activity, this causes me to think of hours just sitting playing computer games, or watching movies. Only because many times I’m just using them to fill time, waste time, spend time … because I’m too lazy or self-centered to take care of my own stuff or take care of someone else’s.

Drunkenness according to several online dictionaries meant … being drunk, drinking too much. But at answers.com they gave three meanings and under the third meaning they listed a synonym “crapulence” I do not lie! You will have to look it up for yourself. It is indeed a Latin word that means “sick from gluttony, or sickness caused by excessive eating or drinking.” So much for drinking being THE horrible sin when gluttony (the act of eating more than your body needs to sustain a healthy weight) is its equal.

Anxieties of Life are … all the things we worry about. Here’s my favorite description “An abnormal sense of fear, nervousness, and apprehension about something that might happen in the future.” There’s a whole list of Bible verses discuss how “fretting” only leads to sin.

The point is all of these things weigh us down. They rob us of the energy and motivation that we need to tackle today’s problems. They cloud up the command to love & serve others, … as ourselves, … deeply from the heart. And, most importantly, they cripple us in our task of watching and praying so that we may be able to stand before the Son of Man.


The solution?

“All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because

‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kin fo sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

1 Peter 5:3-11