In a world that often seems dark or difficult, we may find ourselves facing huge battles with fear and anxiety each day. Though we know God’s truth and believe in His word, there’s this struggle we can’t seem to shake off, and sometimes we find ourselves trapped right in the mess of it all. Yet reality tells us that so much of what we spend our time worrying about never even happens. Living under the weight of the “what ifs” can be a hard place to dwell. 

God has words of life – of truth – that He wants to speak straight into our fears and worries. And as we choose to soak them in, meditating on them, and praying every word back to Him, we will be changed. He alone has the power to set us free from the burden of fear, the weight of worry, and the entanglement of anxiety.

When the struggle feels hard, believe that He is there:

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10, NASB)

As one of my very favorite verses, these words have carried me through some of the most difficult times in life. It’s the Lord’s very clear reminder to our hearts, not to fear, for He is with us. He is our God. He strengthens us. He helps us. He upholds with His righteous right hand. Nothing in this verse ever says it’s all up to us to make it through somehow. But it assures us that our God who never sleeps or slumbers, is at work, in us, through us, and He promises to hold us up. There’s surely no better, no safer place to be, but to be held…by Him. 

There’s nothing magical about words and verses, but there is power through them, because they’re God’s words.

Choose to rely on God’s peace over panic:

“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.” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV)

The enemy will always lure us towards panic and worry if we focus on all that is wrong in this world. But God offers us confident peace that can never be found in this life without Him. I struggled with fear and worry for years. Maybe you find yourself there too many days. But through time, I began to find the things that once would have sent me down an anxious spiral, no longer had the same effect. It didn’t happen quickly, but over days, months, years.

I read words of life, of truth, soaking them in, over and over, praying them out loud until they became so familiar, they replaced the other things in my mind that I’d battled against. There’s nothing magical about words and verses, but there is power through them, because they’re God’s words. And change happened. Anxious thoughts began to diminish. Worry let go of its constant grip. Though fear is sometimes still there, it no longer wields control, holding me back, paralyzing me in its grasp. 

It’s not always easy, and it often comes down to a choice:

– Choosing not to allow fear and anxiety to control your life.

– Choosing to guard your heart.

– Choosing to focus your mind on what is truth even in the midst of uncertain times.

We might still feel afraid, but we can believe that God is with us. We may not be in control, but we can trust the One who is. We may not know the future, but we can find security in the God who does.

Remember that God hasn’t lost control:

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1, KJV)

No matter what we face, He hasn’t lost control. God remains steadfast, immovable, and strong. He doesn’t change based on our circumstances or popular opinion. Nothing takes Him unaware. And He can turn around for good whatever hard times we walk through in this life. 

We can confidently trust that the Lord will take every trial or season of brokenness that has caused worry and havoc in our lives, and use it to bring great blessing, deeper perseverance, and glory to Himself instead. For He can accomplish far more than we could ever think or imagine.

Dear God, 

We’re weary and burdened with too many cares. We come before you today, and lay it all down at your feet. Thank you for reminding us that we never have to fear, for you are truly with us, giving us strength for every moment and help through every day. Fill us fresh with your Spirit and with the faith to believe that you are at work in us, through us, for your great purposes and plans. Thank you God that you are bigger than these fears we face. We trust you today and every day.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.