In our fast-paced and information-overloaded culture, anxiety is sort of unavoidable. Our minds and bodies were never designed to hold the burdens of the entire world. Only God is provided with the ability to work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). The best method to find peace in a world that’s screaming reasons for fear at us is to meditate on the scriptures and approach God in prayer, exchanging our worries for his peace. They are filled with reminders of God’s faithfulness, his power, his plan for us, and powerfully offers our hearts peace that surpasses understanding.Â
In moments that I actually have battled nagging fear, taking time to commit my heart to memorizing God’s Word has helped to shift the narrative that threatens to overwhelm my mind and body. Rather than fixating on the darkness around us I’m reminded that the sunshine has come and is larger than the darkness (John 1:5). Instead of believing that the long run is hopeless, I read that God has given me a hope-filled future that I might be enthusiastic about (Jeremiah 29:11).Â
What we fixate our thoughts on, that’s what we see. If our practice is to fill our souls with negativity, news that we cannot change or control, and live without faith that God can do good works, we will likely be stuffed with anxiety and despair. As believers we’ve the prospect to see a greater reality than what fills the headlines on our screens. We can trust in that the merciful God-of-the-universe is at all times at work. With him we’re never hopeless!Â
Here are some quick prayers, verses, and meditations to remind us of God’s goodness once we are anxious:
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