Written by Kat W.
This week I felt lead to continue speaking on anxiety. Everyone struggles or has dealt with anxiety at some point in life. Maybe today, you are feeling anxious, worried, even full of fear. I want you to know that God is here for you. He is such a loving, good, and gentle God. All He wants and desires for us, is to be filled with His true perfect love and peace. Remember at the end of the day you always have a choice to make. I encourage you to pray right now before you continue reading. Ask the Holy Spirit to come and speak to you, as you seek more of God.
The dictionary defines anxiety as “worry, uneasiness, nervousness, tension or stress.” Fear is at the root of anxiety, and because of that, it’s something we need to resist by the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells in us. Anxiety will steal our peace and joy, and that shows us enough that it’s a tool of the enemy. Proverbs 14:30 says: “A calm and undisturbed mind and heart are the life and health of the body.” The apostle Peter wrote, “Cast all of your your care, all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all on God, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” (1 Peter 5:7) God never intended for us to carry our own burdens, and trying to do so can have terrible consequences. Anxiety has the ability to sap our strength and lower our energy levels. As a result, we’ll be less productive and fruitful as employees, students, parents, ministers, or anything else we apply ourselves to. Anxiety can even harm our relationships. Those around us can suffer when our anxious thoughts make us short tempered, depressed, or overly sensitive. If we really care about our friends, family, others, and even ourselves we come in contact with, we’ll do our best to walk in peace each day.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers. If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
The above verses in Philippians 4 tell us how God wants us to deal with our anxieties and worries. He desires that we acknowledge our need for Him by right in that moment bringing all of our concerns to Him in prayer. Our focus then shifts from our unsettling circumstances to our all powerful God, Who loves us and wants the best for us. As we make a conscious decision to put our trust in the Lord, God’s own indescribable peace settles over us and quiets our fears. Isaiah puts it this way, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!” (Isaiah 26:3) Besides prayer, devoting ourselves to God’s Word can counteract anxiety. Psalm 119:165 says, “Those who love Your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.” As we meditate on God’s faith building promises, peace and joy spring up inside of us and crowd out anxiety and fear. Psalm 85:8 says, “The Lord speaks peace to His people, if they will only stop their sinning.” Sometimes a specific sin is at the root of our anxiety, and can keep us from enjoying the peace that God wants us to have. When this is the case, we haven’t failed until we’ve completely given up trying to cooperate with God’s Spirit to become all that He created us to be.
Just before the Savior went to the cross, He gave His disciples a priceless gift. In John 14:27, Jesus says: “I am leaving you with a gift peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” Our Savior has left us with an unshakable peace which will sustain us in the most difficult times. The apostle Paul confirms this when he says, “May the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16) Let these words from the Savior encourage your heart today: “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” (Matthew 6:34)
Prayer: Lord, help me to bring all my cares and anxieties to You in prayer each day, so that I won’t try to carry them myself. Teach me to trust You and to keep my thoughts on You, so that I can walk in peace continually. Amen.
I encourage you this week to read and pray these Scriptures throughout this week, and during the times you feel anxious.
- “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” -Philippians 4:6, 7
- “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”-John 14:27
- “Trust in the Lordwith all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths”-Proverbs 3:5-6
- “Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved”-Psalm 55:22
- “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful”-Colossians 3:15
- “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety”-Psalm 4:8
- “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand”-Isaiah 41:10
- “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”-Philippians 4:19