I almost held anxiety’s hand as I stepped into the New Year. But it wasn’t a nice hand-holding. It was more like anxiety was a big bully, dragging me around with a firm grip on my upper-arm while looking back at me with a snarl and crooked teeth.
It would insist that I stare at my circumstances, as if it was pointing my eyes towards the uncertainties while whisper-spitting “Hopeless. Hopeless. Hopeless.” And for a minute – or 154 minutes give or take – I believed it.
Then Jesus said some things.
He reminded me that He doesn’t give grace for tomorrow while I’m still living in today. He gives grace for this day. These moments. And His grace means that peace can guard my heart even when I don’t know what’s up ahead. Because He is peace. He’s the Prince of Peace. And He’s within us if we’re His.
That’s why worrying about tomorrow does nothing except steal the peace we’ve been promised for today.
I said “amen” to all of Jesus’ words and truly believed them. But my heart still had to wrestle. Unknowns would meet me in my bed at night, waking me up like an annoying gnat flying around my ear. And I would acknowledge my unbelief to my good (and near) God and then preach truth to my soul again. And then again.
And eventually, anxiety loosened its grip.
Worry and fear will come. We live in a scary world with a gazillion unknowns from our earthly perspective. And we’re human. But when worry and fear consume our minutes, it’s almost like we’re pointing at God and declaring, “Yep, this thing I’m facing is bigger and stronger than You.” And y’all. That’s just not true.
Whatever it is we face – from the really big, life-altering circumstances to the smaller, annoying inconveniences – God is bigger. He just is. There’s nothing that He looks at and says, “Wow, this one has Me totally stumped.”
When worry or fear plagues us – inviting anxiety to push us around – we have to remember what’s true. We need others to remind us of what’s true. We need to wage war on our thought lives, replacing anxious thoughts with truths of our God.
It isn’t easy – this fighting against the flesh for what’s already ours in the Lord – and it’s rarely quick. But God promises grace for our today. The Prince of Peace isn’t confused by our predicaments or slipping off of His throne. He still sits secure offering His children His peace no matter our circumstance.
Looking for a Bible study that could encourage you through difficult, anxiety-producing circumstances? Check out my study called Fruitful Affliction.
