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Life can be so challenging sometimes — we each understand this all too well. It’s not only the big things that seem out of our control, but it's also the little things we face each day. We forget our keys. A friend cancels on us. Our bank card gets declined. We wake up anxious. Negative thoughts fill our mind. It doesn’t take much to leave us feeling hopeless, confused, exhausted or stressed. We wonder what God has to say about what we’re experiencing, but sometimes just getting through the next few hours is hard enough. That’s why Proverbs 31 Ministries created the Encouragement For Today Podcast — a collection of 50 devotions to help you start your day with a biblical perspective you can carry with you no matter what lies ahead.
John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (NIV).
Morning. Anxiety. Not one of us is completely immune to heart-stabbing, pulse-racing, anxious feelings. Most of us have had a personal struggle with this peace stealer. I'm so thankful God spoke into this struggle in the Bible. It reminds us that God doesn't want our lives to be constantly hijacked by anxiety. He doesn't want us walking through our days or lying in our beds at night, tormented by anxious thoughts. He also doesn't want us making decisions from a place of fear and missing out on seeing the good things He has for us. Even Jesus Himself spoke to this topic when He told us in John 14:27 that He left us with peace.
Peace, not worry, not fear, not anxiety. Make no mistake, sweet friends, the enemy wants us to feel hopeless. He wants us to live enslaved to our worries and fears, but God wants us to know that we don't have to let anxiety rob us of our peace, our hope or our joy another single day. Instead of allowing anxious thoughts to wreak havoc in our hearts and minds, let's try these three steps.
Number one, pray honestly. Prayer connects our overwhelming anxiety to God's overcoming power. God can help us redirect our hearts and minds away from anxious thoughts and on to truths and safe assurances found in Him. We have full permission to pour out our hearts to Him honestly. We can bring every fear, every request, every need to Him without hesitation or apology. (1 Peter 5:7) When we do, we'll find that prayer and peace walk hand in hand.
Number two, read God's truths. We can intentionally think on truth by seeking out scriptures that speak to the issues we are facing. When we tuck God's Truth into our hearts, we are arming ourselves with the most powerful tool available: His Word. (Hebrews 4:12)
Number three, verbalize trust in Him. We can quote the scriptures we've memorized throughout our day. There is tremendous power in quoting a verse slowly and intentionally, claiming the truths contained within, and verbalizing our belief in God out loud. I'm convinced the more we draw near to God in prayer and the more we fill our minds with His Word, the more crowded out our fears and anxieties will become.
A statement to remember as we walk into today: Prayer connects our overwhelming anxiety to God's overcoming power.
A prayer to receive before tomorrow: Father God, thank You for the tender ways You offer to help me when my heart feels anxious and fearful. Instead of shaming me for my feelings, You offer to sit with me in the midst of them. Instead of expecting me to pull myself together, You offer me Your words that hold me together and bring me peace. You are such a good and gracious Father, One I know I can trust and call on at all times. In Jesus's name, amen.