Does worry overwhelm your life? It certainly does mine. As I sit here with my head spinning and fingers struggling to type, my mind has become completely unmanageable.
My son recently spent the night in our local children’s hospital. This was an exciting test to see if he has outgrown the seizures which have plagued him over the past 6 years. When the doctor called the day we were released to share the wonderful news that his test was normal, I should have been elated. Instead, I went immediately to thinking the test is wrong and the slow release of his medication would somehow prove disastrous.
I lay beside my son at night and watch him breathe, slipping more into the darkness with each of his tired twitches. My cell phone stays close by to dial 911 at any moment.
This is overwhelming, unnecessary, and incapacitating worry…
My daughter shared with me today over lunch the schools she’s recently applied to as she starts a new and exciting career path. Again, this should be a wonderful moment while I cheer her plans, ability, independence, and strength that make her the young women I’m so very proud of. Instead all I can think of is how long it will take me by airplane to reach her in an emergency at these far away schools she’s chosen.
Overwhelming. Unnecessary. Incapacitating worry…
We know all the verses by heart, the ones that share the incredible hope and peace promised by God. Here are just a couple we should keep close by in those moments of fear and anxiety.
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.
~John 14:27
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
~Philippians 4:6-7
But the real issue is: How do we live them out? We need to personalize and pray them.
A dear friend recently introduced me to praying scripture. I love this concept although it has yet to become the automatic habit I hope it will soon grow into. This easily reminds us that His Word is not just empty promises meant for those people of long ago. We can rest assured He wants us to find emotional freedom as well.
So let’s try this simple prayer adapted from John 14:27…
Dear God, I know you give peace like no other. I do not need to live in fear and with a troubled heart as I’ve been doing for far too long. You promise freedom from this and I know I can trust You with the scary, overwhelming moments of my life. Your peace is bigger than my fears, anxiety, and unnecessary worries. In Jesus name I pray for Your Word to fill my mind and heart with Your special one-of-a-kind peace…
Now you can try personalizing the above verses from Philippians 4 or any others that come to mind. I would love to hear from you in the comments with your version or any tip on how you deal with worry and anxiety. This simple exercise has started healing my spinning mind already. I’m definitely a work in progress as I fight to walk away from fear and towards His beautiful promises.
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Thank you for this message. Blessings.
Blessings to you, Melissa! Thanks so much for stopping in :).
Don’t look down at the problem. Look up at the promise. Keep your eyes on Him. This has helped me with my anxiety and worry.
Love this! Thanks for sharing, Ellen :).
This is helpful advice. I am definitely a worrier (though not as bad as I used to be) and it is easy for me to let worry overwhelm me. Even when we know the Bible verses it can be difficult to really take them on board when we’re facing a worrying situation. I love your example of turning the verse into a prayer.
Praying God’s promises is a powerful tool for us worriers, Carly :). I’m still quite a worrier as well but like you, I’ve made great strides in this area. It’s a difficult struggle to overcome, but turning these important verses into personal prayers can be life-changing.
Oh Candace! My heart is anxious for you and all you have placed on yourself. God is a God of peace and in Him we will have hope and peace. I love how you are beginning to pray the Scriptures. Soaking in God’s Word and making it personal for yourself will keep you focused on Him.
I am praying for you as you learn to navigate a path that takes you away from worry and anxiety. Love you!
Thanks for the much needed prayers, Mary! I know you are in the midst of a great deal of your own life transitions. Praying for you as well, my dear friend.
I hear you, Candace. Worry and seeing the glass half empty is my default mode. That John 14:27 verse has become my song in the night when I can’t sleep because of the ‘what ifs.’
Scripture gives us words when there are none. Thank you for reminding us to go there, savor its truths, and claim His Word as our own.
Praying for you even as we speak …
That is my default mode as well, Linda. I hear you and those “what ifs” keep me up far too many nights. The Word is the place to go, but it’s taking time for me to get into that important habit. Thanks so much for the prayers, my friend!
This is awesome. I’m constantly trying to stop myself from worrying about any and everything. It’s so important to know scripture so when you do get worried you have a verse to remind yourself that worrying isn’t necessary. Thanks for sharing this idea of praying scriptures 🙂
Hi Sonya! Being a new Christian, I’m still trying to learn scripture. This tool has really been invaluable to me. I hope learning to pray scripture serves you well in those worried moments, my friend :).
Worry used to afflict me quite often when I worked in corporate America Candace. I love what you share here about praying scripture. Just a few months ago I memorized the fruit of the Spirit passage and so now I start to recite Love, , joy, peace,patience in my head when I feel the anxiety meter rising. It has been a tremendous help. I admit some days it works better than others but I am improving each day! There is nothing better than “hiding God’s word in your heart” I pray your worry is subdued as you continue to seek God and study his word. Have a fantastic weekend and may God richly bless you and yours!
That is a wonderful tip, Horace! The fruit of the Spirit passage is perfect to cling to in those trying moments. Thank you for the sweet prayer. Many blessings to you and yours as well!
Thank you so much for this today Candice. I was having a bit of a worry session the other day and I needed this kick in the rear to remember where my worry needs to go. Straight to God!!!
I hope this helps, Tammy. I’ll always be a work in progress in this area :). I love your perfectly stated mantra: “Straight to God!” I’ll have to start using that. Easy to remember and so powerful.
OH how this message speaks to us ALL! Phil 4:6-8 are my favorite verses to reach for in those worrisome moments. I have gripped them HARD at times, and the power of God’s word truly transforms in so many ways. I’ve learned that it may not be INSTANT- but often God whispers sweet hope and peace amidst storms- that grow as we continue to take those bold steps in faith. I love looking back on my life and reflecting on His Presence during those tumultuous times… I can see it all so clearly and that encourages me to trust He is in IT now as well.
We are so human, aren’t we? I always love your transparency my friend. Sharing your true self and your journey through life with God at your side, always inspires me.
I can so relate to you, Chris! I love reflecting on those difficult times too and seeing how He was always there and in control. We don’t always feel that way in the midst of the struggle but when thinking it over at a later, calmer time, it’s always clear He is how we made it through :). XO, my friend.
Less worry, more trust. Life goals! 🙂
The greatest life goals, Lux ;). Unfortunately, sometimes the most difficult as well.
Candace wise words for us worriers. I am getting better, but it seems we always worry about our kids even mine that are in their 30s both married. I just recently started praying scripture because of worry over infertility and miscarriages in our family.
Sending up prayers for your family on those difficult struggles, Debbie. I thought my worry would really decrease as my kids grew older but it definitely does not work like that :). My daughter is 22 and I worry more about her than ever before. Many blessings to you and your precious family!