Happy Thursday Everyone!
I am going to be very open and honest with all of you in today’s post. First of all… this busy time in my life can be very, very overwhelming. Second, I have never in my life had to battle negative emotions on such a regular basis. I used to think of myself has a fairly stable person, someone who could rebound quickly, and someone who didn’t struggle with being overly emotionally. I am not sure if I should laugh or cry about that previous statement. (See what I mean? 😉 )
I guess it’s the busy, sometimes uncertain times in life that bring out what’s truly inside of our hearts. Overwhelm, stress, and anxiety seem to be the prevailing emotions of my heart these past few weeks. Sometimes I think back to my life in previous years and wonder, “was I always like this, or am I just majorly stressed out right now?!?”
The other week, I finally found myself with a quiet morning at home, and in between getting ready for the day and chatting with my fiance’, I took the time to jot down several verses that counteract anxiety. The verses I wrote down were a big encouragement to my heart, so I am excited to share them with you today. But before I do… let me just share some more things I’m learning – things that are key to staying calm in the midst of busy and emotional life seasons.
Two Keys to “Calm”
- Proper Rest is Needed. Going to bed late every single night and then forcing myself to get up and get to work on time is not helping me emotionally, physically, or spiritually. Late nights means a rushed morning without proper time in God’s Word, and it means I have to suffer through the rest of the of the day in a sleepy state of mind.
What about you? Something tells you me you need your sleep too! We all do. Getting enough sleep will better equip all of us with the strength we need to face each day’s trials, tasks, and responsibilities.
- Proper Time in God’s Word is a Must. I need to be honest here. My relationship with God has been suffering lately. For me to really glean from time in God’s Word, I need quite a bit of focused time in the Word. Working full time has made this even more of a challenge than it already had been. However, when I do take the time to meditate in God’s Word, it encourages and strengthens my heart and soul.
How about you? Time in God’s Word is something we all desperately need! It will encourage and strengthen us spiritually and emotionally… and will better prepare us to do battle against sin, wrong emotions, trials, and everything else that pops up into our lives. We need time in God’s Word!
And now… here are the Bible verses that have been encouraging my anxious heart… as well as some thoughts I’ve had about each one.
Bible Verses to Counteract Anxiety
“The LORD will give strength unto his people, the LORD will bless his people with peace.” Psalm 29:11
Thoughts: The Lord wants to bless me with strength (HIS strength) and peace. He doesn’t want me to be a weak and defeated Christian. I am a child of God, therefore He delights in blessing me with strength and peace.
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in His way. Though He fall, He shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.” Psalm 37:23-24
Thoughts: The Lord is planning out my future – each and every step of the way. My job is to delight in the Lord’s will and faithfully follow His leading. When I fall, the Lord will uphold me with His strong and loving hand.
“Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10
Thoughts: The key to having a calm heart, is taking the time to remember who God is. I must remind myself of what God can do (anything!) and what He has told me about Himself in His Word. I must take the time to BE STILL.
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10
Thoughts: God is always with me, He is there to give me strength when mine runs out. He is there to hold me up when I am physically, emotionally, or mentally exhausted.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11
Thoughts: The Lord has a plan for my life… and His plan (not mine) is perfect. His thoughts towards me are thoughts of peace – He has only the best in mind for me.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Thoughts: When I am weary and overwhelmed, I must turn to the Lord. I must “learn of Him” and become like Him. By turning to the Lord, I will find rest for my weary heart and soul.
Final Thoughts
God does not want you or me to live in a state of overwhelm, anxiety, stress or fear. In His Word He has given us promises and reminders of His love for us and the strength He is so ready and willing to give. God is ready and waiting for us to rest in HIM, but we must do our part in seeking Him and the rest and strength He offers!
Share Your Thoughts
What are your favorite Bible verses for dealing with stressful, fearful times? Are there certain times or circumstances that cause you to feel anxious?
Share your thoughts in the comments!
P.S. Check out one of my favorite books on having a quiet and peaceful soul. The book, God is More than Enough by Jim Berg is full of great reminders, Scriptural truths and thoughts to help quiet a restless and anxious heart.
