Anxiety – Page 3 – Your Daily Encouragement

The Key to Peace

Give worry the boot.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 4:6–7

Wherever you look through God’s word, there’s the thread of a continuous theme: Peace.

Peace.

We see words of encouragement from God to His people like, “Do not worry about…” “Do not be anxious about…” “Do not be afraid of…” “Be at peace.” “I am leaving you a gift: peace,” “I have told you these things so that you may have peace.” This encouragement is repeated over and over.

Even at Christmas, we are reminded of the angels’ words, “Peace on earth, goodwill from God to man.” So throughout scripture we see reminders of God’s heart for his people.

And yet we have a timeless obsession with worry.

What is that?

I find that worry usually comes when I take my eyes from where God is leading me and I become concerned about how I am going to complete the journey. Especially if it is something outside my comfort zone.

But notice what Paul the Apostle instructed the believers in the 1st Century to do:

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” —Philippians 4:6

Instead of cowing to anxiety, Paul encourages these new believers to pray about what is weighing on them. (Prayer is simply talking to your Heavenly Father, where you can tell Him what is weighing you down.)

But look at the attitude of prayer he encourages us to take: “…with thanksgiving“.

This is the key. “With thanksgiving.”

Have you ever met someone with an attitude of entitlement? Usually it’s accompanied by bitterness and dissatisfaction. Never happy, always grumbling.

Where does that come from? The root of entitlement is a lack of gratitude. A lack of thanks.

Inevitably a lack of gratitude creates anxiety. It is an attitude that thinks “I deserve better.” And we stress-out when our unrealistic expectations aren’t met.

Instead, Paul encourages us to bring our needs to God with an attitude of thanksgiving. What does that look like?

It’s actually an act of faith.

For example, when you’re stressed about having more month at the end of the money, we can say, “God, I’m not sure how we’re going to make ends meet, but you have never failed us in the past. Give us all we need to meet our obligations, and I’m thanking you for it ahead of time. Amen!”

Essentially, thanksgiving is expressing gratitude to God in advance for what He will do in the future.

I am resting in His ability to do what is out of my hands.

And notice the result in our lives: Peace. Verse 7 continues:

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:7

Peace.

Not a temporary reprieve of stress, but the peace of God.

Authentic peace.

Where do we start?

So, where do we start? Practice giving thanks daily. Tell God and tell others. Make it the first thing you do in the morning—even as you wake up, still in bed—thank Him for today.

Thank Him for the knowledge that He has everything in hand.

Thank Him for His watchfulness over you and your family.

Thank Him for His ongoing favor in your life. This is more than a positive mental attitude—and it isn’t something we speak into existence. It is an expression of the reality of what already exists: God’s ongoing, grace-filled supply to you and your family.

This is what thanksgiving does.

Make thanks the key that opens your day, and the key that locks it at night.

Then sleep in peace.

Bill Herried is a pastor in Tacoma, Washington and is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 4 grandchildren. He has been the lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma since 2006. He has an undergraduate degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, and Master of Divinity from Corban University in Salem, Oregon and loves a good biryani.

Image by Alejandro Piñero Amerio from Pixabay

The Thing That Wouldn’t Leave

Worry partying in your head?

I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears. —Psalm 34:4

Back in the early days of Saturday Night Live, John Belushi did a sketch about a guy who would always be the last one at the party. Long after everyone had left and gone home, he would still be there, late into the night, wide awake, rude, driving his hosts crazy.

The sketch was called “The Thing That Wouldn’t Leave.” Here is a sample from the show.

Worry is like that.

Ever had a worry come to your mind that wouldn’t leave? We all have. For me it is usually something small—insignificant—yet it plays over and over in my mind.

I’ve tried ignoring a worry, but it didn’t help. When I first became aware of my attempt to downplay it, I remember saying to myself, “That’s silly—it’s not a big deal! I’m not going to think about it. I’ll put it out of my mind.”

And yet it wouldn’t leave. The more I denied it, the more it made itself at home in my thoughts.

Finally this came to mind: “Why don’t you take this to God? He tells us to bring our cares to him.” So I did.

Crazy what happened: It was gone. It left!

No worry. No fear.

Peace.

Wow! If I had known this, I’d have sent it packing at the first thought. And—not that the issue was solved—but now I could deal with it without it consuming my thoughts.

Your Heavenly Father waits for you, patiently, to bring your worries to Him. And I think it puts a smile on his face when his children experience His peace— the peace of God that goes beyond our understanding.

Can I make a suggestion? The next time fear comes to party in your head, do this: Pray to your Heavenly Father. Tell him what is on your mind, thank him for his help and then watch what he does in your life.

And one last thing, would you let me know what God does through your experience? Love to hear what God does in our lives.

Peace.

Image by Gisela Merkuur from Pixabay

He’s Got All The Time In The World

…and He is never too busy to listen.

When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy. —Psalm 94:19

When anxiety fills your mind, or when that mental video reminding you of a past failure rolls through your thoughts (again), take it to your heavenly Father.

He never sleeps, and he’s never too busy. He knows your circumstance better than anyone and he knows every solution.

He is a good Father and, best of all, he loves to replace our anxiety with his hope.

So don’t ignore your anxiety, acknowledge it.

Tell Him what’s on your mind. Thank Him in advance for His work on your behalf. Because when you do, the peace of God—the very presence of the Holy Spirit—will guard your heart and mind as you trust Him.

Now is a good time to pause and release all your anxieties to Him.

This is the way to peace.

Image by Ri Butov from Pixabay

Worry Is a Thief

Don’t let worry steal another moment.

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. —1 Peter 5:6–7

What can we learn from a woman who survived years of internment in a Nazi prison?

Plenty.

Corrie lived through a time of intense persecution for anyone who wanted to meaningfully follow Christ. And the experience gave her perspective for the rest of her life.

Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.
Corrie Ten Boom

In 1975 the movie “The Hiding Place” was made, giving us a glimpse into what she and her family experienced. I won’t spoil it for you, but if you’ve never seen this film, it is worth your time.

But, in this moment, why not take the opportunity to name those worries that keep your mind distracted and awake at night? Then turn to your Heavenly Father, laying them at His feet.

And why would we? Because as Peter—one of Jesus’ closest disciples—says “He cares about you.”

You are known and you are loved.

Don’t let worry steal another moment of your life.

Worry Got You By The Short Hairs?

Time to let it go.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:6–7

Ever worried?

There isn’t a person on the planet who hasn’t.

If we’re not careful, the ‘what-ifs’ of life will enslave you. In fact, millions are held captive in its grip every day.

And as most of us have discovered, the solution isn’t to pretend it don’t exist. You can’t ignore it—worry won’t be ignored. And its naïve to think that somehow your worries will just go away.

The question then is “What do I do with my worries?”

This is what I love about God’s Word. The solution is to take them to your heavenly Father. Only he has the power to free you from the grip of worry.

Your mind will fixate on something, so focus this fixation in prayer. Instead of worrying, pray to your Heavenly Father. Tell him what you need. Like a good parent he is ready to listen.

Then thank him (in advance) for all he has done. And here is where the freedom comes: Then, you’ll experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. And, his peace will guard your heart and mind as you continue to walk with Christ.

So, the next time worry rears its ugly head, let that be your reminder to pray. Tell God what is troubling you and what you need. Allow him to take it. Then you will experience his peace—which is beyond anything we can imagine.

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

Dealing with Overwhelm

Facing Challenges?

The faithful love of the LORD never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!” —Lam 3:22–24

Facing challenges? I hope so! Working through challenges and difficulties are what help us grow. In fact, I would say that there is no growth and no change without challenge.

But, from time to time we can feel overwhelmed—particularly when we’re fatigued. At that point everything becomes a slog.

And when we’re in that place, we think the worst about everything and everyone. In fact, if you’re experiencing a disappointing or difficult season, you may feel God has abandoned you—or feel that you’re being punished for something you’ve done. You may even feel a lingering sense of dread.

If you’re unsure, ask yourself this question: “Am I shying away from something that I had no problem dealing with in the past?” If so, you may be on overwhelm.

When these feelings come it is the perfect time for reflection: Ask yourself two questions:

First, “What have my sleep habits been like lately? Am I getting enough rest?”

Don’t overlook this.

This may seem superficial, but is crucial, because if you’re not getting enough sleep nothing else will help. You cannot maintain a healthy perspective when you’re in sleep deprivation. Start here.

If you’re not getting enough rest, nothing else will help.

Second, ask yourself “Is there anything that I need to confess—to God or to others?” If so, confess it. If you’re experiencing a broken relationship with someone, or avoiding God because you’ve done something you know to be wrong, an overabundance of sleep will not deal with the anxiety of overwhelm. Relationships are key—whether it is a relationship with a friend or family member, or with God Himself.

Bring your concerns to him. He already knows it all, but he loves to hear what weighs on the heart of his child.

He already knows it all, but he loves to hear what weighs on the heart of his child.

Then, it is precisely at this point, you must remind yourself of God’s faithful, never-ending, non-stop, unchanging love for you.

Like the sun that rises each day, His lovingkindness is fresh every morning. Why not take a moment now to affirm this, then tell him, “Lord, today my hope is in you!”

How would you describe your experiences with Overwhelm?

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

“Don’t Be Afraid”

More than just words.

The future. Uncertainty. Ambiguity.

Jesus’ disciples were experiencing this and more.

He had told them that he would be leaving—that he would die and his body would be buried. But he follows that up with “Don’t be troubled or afraid.”

If someone told you not to worry in the middle of an anxiety-fueled uncertainty, what would you say?

Maybe, “Easier said than done! How am I supposed to erase this worry?”

But watch what Jesus does. He gives them access to a strength that goes beyond our natural abilities—in fact, Jesus claims what he is offering them is not of this world. Nothing on earth can compare to it. He says:

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (Jn 14:27)

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
John 14:27

Notice how Jesus describes his peace: it is a priceless GIFT! It is peace of both our mind and heart. It feeds the intellect and calms our inner turmoil.

Peace of mind and heart! Nothing in this world could give it; no one could earn it and it can never be bought. It is a gift from Christ himself, simply there for the asking.

And, as we all know, a gift is not a gift until you receive it. He promised it to his followers, and the beautiful reality is that it is only a request away.

So, today, release your expectations. Let go of your anxiety and fear of the future, and humbly receive the gift that Jesus promised to accompany his followers: the very Spirit of God that will walk with you through every difficulty and every uncertainty.

What do you need to let go of today?

Image by Jackson David from Pixabay

Stuff Happens

Life is what happens when you’re making other plans.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Jeremiah 29:11

Someone once said “Life is what happens when you’re making other plans.”

Or to paraphrase another philosopher, “Stuff happens.”

Unexpected “stuff.”

Stuff like: a job loss. Bad health news. Family crises. The death of a loved one. Pandemics. Accidents.

Unexpected.

We make plans, and we love it when those plans come together. But sometimes our plans go awry. The reason for that is that we can’t see ten minutes into the future.

“Stuff happens.” And when it does, frustration rears its ugly head.

But the beautiful truth is that God knows. He knows your future. He knew what would happen tomorrow, thousands of years ago.

Before the foundation of the earth was set into place, he knew. He knows it all.

In fact, did you know that he has plans for your life? Before you were even born, he knew you. He made you for a specific purpose. Your life has meaning because you were made in his image—which means that you have the ability to think about the future and make plans.

We live in a broken world. Very often the “stuff” we experience in life is not the way it is supposed to be. But understand through it all, God has a plan.

It might not be visible to you at this point, but know that he knows and is working “stuff” together for your good. His plans are for good, and not for disaster. He is working to give you a future and a hope.

That is his promise.

Our part is to simply trust. Instead of being frustrated about today’s stuff, trust that he knows what is ahead and that he is walking with you through it all. Every step. Acknowledge his involvement and ask him for the wisdom to live in sync with his will.

This is the place of peace.

Worry is a Thief

Don’t let the “What Ifs” of life rob you.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:6–7)

Worry worming its way into your mind? If we allow it to, worry can easily overwhelm. Worry will mug you, robbing you of peace, energy and strength.

There is a reason that scripture tells us to take our worries to God: Its because you were never meant to carry them. Worry takes over when we only see our limited resources. Peace comes by trusting your Heavenly Father and seeing His resources.

The next time worry rears it’s ugly head—at that very instant—pray. Instead of allowing all of the “What Ifs” to roll through your mind—again—sapping you of energy, take it to you Heavenly Father. Tell Him what’s worrying you and thank Him for His faithfulness. Then leave it with him.

And don’t be surprised if you have to do it several times today. For most of us, worry has become a habit. But why not start a new habit today? Let worry be the reminder to take it to your Heavenly Father. He is happy to take that burden from you.

Worry leads to fear and fatigue.

Trusting your Heavenly Father leads to peace.

Image by Frank Becker from Pixabay

Be Still My Heart

The gift of peace

Once we come to Christ, the most fear-inducing question (“What happens after this life?”) is dealt with. His resurrection confirms this. But not only that; even now, in our most worry-fueled moments, he calms our fears with an unexpected gift: peace.

Peace.

Not empty promises, but the peace of God. The peace that comes with his presence. He promised never to leave you; never to forsake you.

No wonder we lift our hearts to praise him!

Image by Daniel Reche from Pixabay