Dealing with Anxiety

Heart Prep

Ask God to help you know more about Him and what He wants to say to you through this devotion.

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Think of the things most important to you. Just the thought of any of them being jeopardized in some way would probably make you anxious. Also, if making a good grade on an exam is important to you, you are probably anxious before that exam. If you studied hard, then you probably won’t be as anxious. As a basketball player, if performing well on the court is important to you, you might experience anxiety before a ballgame. The thought of not doing well or losing is a threat to your performance. If you will most likely not play that night, you are less likely to feel anxious. Perhaps the approval of others is important to you, and you are basing their approval on the number of “likes” on your social media posts. When you don’t get a positive response, you feel anxious. However, if you aren’t seeking the approval of others, their “likes” on social media won’t matter.

When we realize that the most important thing in life is delighting in the Lord - knowing, pleasing and trusting in Him - all other concerns won’t seem as important. Our hearts will desire the most important things He has for us. If our social media posts only get a handful of “likes”, we won’t be anxious because we won’t be seeking the approval of others. We will be able to put a bad grade in perspective and study harder for the next exam. We will give our best during a game and accept the outcome, knowing it is “just a game”.

We will never fully escape all anxiety, but when we reorder our priorities, we will see that knowing and trusting in God is really all that matters in this life. Go to Him in prayer with all your concerns, thank Him for caring and for the help He will give you, and let His peace rule in your heart and mind.

Life Application

What is God saying to me?

Something I want to remember from this is....

How does this change my life and what are my next steps?