Are You Anxious?

I’LL TAKE PEACE, PLEASE

Yes, this world is a stressful place. Stress has even been called an epidemic in today’s world. But, even though we live in this world, we are not of it (John 17:16.)  Jesus asks us, “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” (Matthew 6:27) 

Actually, we’ve been told that stress can take years off of our life. It penetrates to the core of our being. Psychologists tell us that stress changes us in the process. It alters our bodies and our brains.

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the unbelievers run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  – Matthew 6:31-33 

Instead of being consumed by the pressures of this world, God has another plan for you.
That’s a great promise. But you might be wondering, like I do, why it doesn’t always manifest in your own life.

Do you spend the majority of your energy seeking God’s kingdom, or the things of this present life?One will lead to peace, but the other will always lead to stress.  Peace versus Stress.  Hmm. . . I’ll take Peace, please!

Someone writing on this blog several months ago said something I have thought about many times since. The writer said, “When I take up the shackles of anxiety and worry about the lack of control I have over my life and those in it, I deny the peace and joy already set before me... ” In a conversation with her friend and mentor she told him she was beginning a personal prayer campaign for peace. She said, “It was the question from my mentor of, ‘Why are you praying for peace when you already have it?’ that allowed me to see that I was missing out on a huge promise from God.”
(You can read Dana Jaworski’s article, “Claiming Peace” in Word for Today, March 29, 2011)

I’m not a real driven, focused, over-achieving person. In fact, I’m a somewhat lazy, scattered, procrastinating person. But that doesn’t mean I don’t worry about the things of this present life. And I am often anxious and stressed about all the things I am not getting done. I love the phrase in Philippians 4:7 that says “the peace that passes all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” That peace is beyond understanding for many of us, most of the time.  But we have all had those emotional experiences where we realize God will take care of us. Suddenly, we feel His peace and security, and all is well with the world.  

So, how do you keep that feeling? Philippians 4:8 says, “Fix your thoughts on whatever is true, whatever is noble, is right, is pure, is lovely, is admirable; think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”  

Where do your thoughts dwell throughout the day? Do you meditate on the negative news you saw this morning, or all of the things on your ‘to do’ list for today, plus the ones you didn’t get done yesterday? Or are your thoughts dominated by the promises of God? Controlling our thoughts is one of the most difficult things to do, but it holds the key to living in peacefulness.

God of power and might, calm my wandering mind and my worries. Help me to see the beauty in my life. Your will, not mine, be done in my life. Calm, guide, and care for me, as you do for all your beloved children, and bring peace to my heart through Jesus.  Amen.

Lynn Anne Hughes
Stephenville, Texas