Did you ever have to wait for something? The anticipation of the answer drives us crazy, doesn’t it? Right now, I am waiting for the answers to my ultrasound, and the uncertainty is almost unbearable. Usually, the results are posted to my chart within a few days, but it has been a whole week, and needless to say, my mind has gone overboard in its imaginations. I started to think maybe they found something wrong and they are putting more eyes on it to clarify what they are seeing, feeding into every worst-case scenario I could concoct. Then I did what any other uptight person does….I googled my symptoms, spiraling deeper into a rabbit hole of anxiety. Ugh. So this morning, instead of imagining the worst possible outcomes, I decided to take a proactive step and messaged my doctor, asking him if he had heard anything because of the extended time it is taking to receive the results. To my relief, he assured me that they are a few weeks out and we will receive an answer shortly, which made me feel a bit better, but the lingering worry still creeps in. Each passing day feels like an eternity, punctuated by moments of doubt and fear, reminding me how fragile our peace of mind can be when faced with uncertainty.
So this morning, I did something I should have done last week. I took a deep breath and consciously decided to surrender my worries over to God, truly believing that He is in control and that He will work everything out for my good. It felt like a heavy weight was lifted off my shoulders as I acknowledged that I cannot handle every challenge on my own. I reminded myself that His plans are greater than my understanding and that with faith, I can find peace amidst the chaos. I took a moment to reflect on the times He has guided me through tough situations before, reinforcing my trust in Him.
Be Anxious For Nothing
Philippians 4:6-7 says:
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
I have been writing a lot about this verse lately, but I can’t get off of it. God tells us that we don’t have to be anxious about anything, which is such a profound reassurance to the faint in heart. It encourages us to place our trust in Him, reminding us that we can surrender our worries and our fears. Instead of succumbing to stress and uncertainty, we are urged to come to God with our troubles, knowing that we are never alone in our struggles. This invitation to let go of anxiety invites us to embrace faith and hope, allowing us to find comfort in His presence during turbulent times.
When we are accosted by bad news or uncertainty about the future, our default response is often that of worry. We allow every negative possible outcome to permeate our thought life, resulting in a cycle of anxiety that can feel overwhelming. As we begin to dwell on the “what ifs” of our situation, our minds can spiral into a labyrinth of fears and worries that distract us from our present reality. This obsessive rumination not only causes more anxiety, but also robs us of our peace. When this begins to happen, we must immediately recognize that this state of mind is not from God. Instead of surrendering to these thoughts, we need to take them captive, choosing to meditate on the Word of God.
We have two options when anxiety plagues our minds. We can either try to figure things out on our own, adding stress to our already overloaded minds, or we can give everything over to God realizing our utter dependence on Him. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. John 15:5 says: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” We can’t face our problems, struggles, or fears in our own strength. It is only by relinquishing control and rolling every care upon Him that we will experience His peace.
How Do I Experience Peace?
When we experience anxiety and uncertainty about the future, our attempts to control situations can increase our anxiety, leading to a cycle of stress that feels unending. It’s important to recognize that despite our best efforts, some things remain beyond our control. However, if we learn to lean on God and pray about our worries instead of trying to fix everything ourselves, we can begin to experience a profound peace that transcends our understanding. This peace comes from surrendering our burdens and trusting God, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles.
Philippians 4:4-9 tells us how to experience peace in our lives. First, we need to pray about everything that concerns us (vs 6). We need to take our anxious thoughts captive immediately before they produce bad fruit in our minds. Give your worries over to God in prayer and lay them down at His feet trusting that the God of Angel Armies is in control of your life.
The next thing to do to obtain peace is to think about what you are thinking about. What thoughts are going through your mind? Are they thoughts that bring peace, or thoughts that are bringing turmoil? Verse 8 in Philippians 4 tells us what to think about..“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Changing our thought life is not easy. If we have lived through traumatic experiences or even negative experiences, our minds are literally re-wired to expect the worse case scenario. Our anxious minds are unable to tell the difference between real danger and a thought about danger. But, God can heal our minds and help us change the way we think and perceive a given situation. He tells us in His Word what we should think about. Speak His Word over your life and situations. His Word is alive and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of souls and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
The last thing we need to do to obtain peace is to do the things we have learned from God’s word. It’s important to remember that mere engagement with scripture isn’t enough; we must allow its teachings to penetrate our hearts and transform our lives. Don’t become content with just reading and highlighting a passage. Instead, strive to memorize these messages and reflect on their significance in your daily life. Be doers of the word, as emphasized in James 1:22, where we are reminded that faith must lead to action. By actively putting into practice what the Holy Spirit is teaching you, you create a pathway of receiving His peace that passes all understanding. It’s a peace that guards your heart and your mind amidst life’s chaos.
Conclusion
God knows we are not perfect, and He is acutely aware of the times when anxiety, fear, or worry plagues us, often weighing heavily on our hearts and minds. He knows what causes us to doubt, whether it be challenges in our personal lives, or uncertainties about the future. In those moments of struggle, He stands by us, offering guidance and comfort, reminding us that we are not alone in our battles. With His wisdom and understanding, He gently encourages us to lean into His loving arms and apply what He is teaching us.
Turn your worries into prayers. Prayer can treat both the source and the symptoms of anxiety because God is sovereign over it all. Through prayer, we yield ourselves to God’s work within us. Philippians 4:6-9 provides us a pathway of healing by leading us away from our anxious thoughts and back toward the God who is always good and in control. In Christ, we have all we will ever need.
2 Timothy 1:7 says that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and a sound mind.
When you are at unrest, remember that God is your peace. When you experience worry, remember that God is in control. When doubt begins to assault your mind, remember that God is good in all things.
A Word From the Lord
Cast all your cares onto the Lord because He cares about everything that concerns you. You don’t have to go around trying to find an answer. Your answer is in Him. (the Lord) He is your healer, He is your Redeemer, He is your peace. He is the One who loves you and has called you by name. You were never created to carry the weight of the world. He created you to worship Him. Call to Him and He will answer you. He will show you which way to go. Let go of the things that are holding you back. Chase after God. Run into His arms and let Him take away your fears, cares and concerns. -Amen
I pray that the things God is showing and teaching me will resonate with your spirit and help you in your anxieties as well. May you be able to find joy and peace in today.
Find Joy In Today 
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