when anxiety takes your breath away.
It felt like the world was caving in. And I had no reason to feel this way. I had been unexpectedly overcome with anxieties and worries in such a way that I felt like my very breath had been knocked and choked out of me.
Suddenly all of the people in my life were there out of pity or obligation. Suddenly nothing in my life had ever gone right. Suddenly everything appeared to be falling apart. And, suddenly, I felt like there was absolutely no hope or reason to keep trying.
Have you ever felt this way?
A psychologist might call it an anxiety attack, a panic attack.
It was an attack, alright.
Sometimes, we’ll find ourselves facing this when we begin to step into God’s will for our lives.
At this time in my life, I was finally taking action on the call I heard. I was volunteering as a leader in an area that had always been my greatest source of anxiety. I was offering my mess of a story to people.
I felt vulnerable. I felt afraid.
Examine your life right now. Are you seeking God’s will? Are you learning to radically obey Him? Could it be that the same is true for you - you are under attack because you’re doing the right thing?
When my fears and anxieties thunder ominously over my head, I know one way to calm the storm.
The name of Jesus.
I whispered His name. It was all I knew to do. There were no words that could capture the weight of what I felt in that moment.
But He is mighty to save.
There is one who can calm the wind and the waves—and it’s the Lord (Mark 4:35-41).
Often, anxiety arises when looking ahead, pondering what is to come. However, these fears can be silenced by looking back, seeing what God has done, and believing He’ll work for you again in the future.
Consider how God has showed up for you in the past. Consider how He has worked for others in the past. Thank Him for His goodness. Thank Him in advance for the way He will show up for you in your current situation, even though you can’t possibly imagine how he will right now.
He is so faithful! Will He change now?
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8, ESV). His faithfulness, His goodness, is never wavering. He is worthy of Your trust.
Trust can be an uphill battle, I know. I am so guilty of being the unbelieving believer.
But when you get to the place that you can trust His plans and His timing- despite what your past experience, your feelings, and your logic tell you - you will find peace - the very same peace that stilled the storm in Mark 4:39.
God really is working it all for your good (Romans 8:28). Choose to believe that.
Ask Him to reveal to you the ways He has shown up for you in the past. I know how hard it can be to see when you’re in the midst of a relentless fear.
Just whisper His name today, even while you’re afraid.
He is so enamored by your heart, your desire to find Him.
He will not leave you where you are.
“He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along” (Psalm 40:2, NLT).
He wants to do this for you, as well.
When you feel afraid, remember what God has done for you. Don’t worry about what will happen tomorrow, or next month, or even later today. Take life moment by moment, step by step, asking God how He can use you along the way. He will guide your steps (Psalm 37:23).
Trust that what He takes away is for your good, and what He gives is for your good. Meditate on His Word, that you may be renewed in your mind, and be able to discern what is of God and what is of the enemy.
And remember: when the winds and waves batter, when you feel like you can’t keep going, just trust. In so doing, find peace. Where peace is present, anxiety is snuffed out.
He is with you. He cares for you. Lay your worries at His feet, and He will be faithful to help you with your burden.
You are never alone in your struggles. He is faithful to be with you through every one. And be encouraged today—sometimes, you will face struggles simply for trying to do the right thing. If you are seeking God’s will and are being obedient to Him, you can know that this is the enemy trying to dissuade you from carrying on.
But, please, don’t give up. Keep going. He will equip you for every work He has called You into (Hebrews 13:21).
You’re not alone.
“Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8, NLT).
Take refuge in Him today. Hide away with Him, trusting that the storm will not last. And thank Him for the ways He has calmed your storms in the past.
You will be amazed at how He will work through this simple act of faith.
Reflect and Respond
God, You are so good to me. I have seen You come through for me countless times. And I know You can and will do it again. Thank You that I do not have to do this alone. Thank You that if You are calling me into something, You will equip me to do it.
Please forgive me for my lack of faith, and my lack of gratefulness for what You’ve already accomplished for me. Would You help me with my unbelief? Would You open my eyes to see with renewed clarity what You’ve done for me in the past? Would You enable me to look more to You than my worries? Would you quiet the storms of worry, anxiety, and fear?
Thank You that You are molding me into Your likeness day by day. Thank You that I have the mind of Christ, and that Your will is slowly becoming my own as I am renewed and sanctified each day. Thank You for how You will work through this problem, in Your perfect timing. I choose to trust Your promises today. Lead me today and show me how I can be Your hands and feet.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Choose three of the passages below to read. Read slowly, asking the Holy Spirit to illuminate His Word to you, then respond to the following question.
Mark 4:35-41
Philippians 4:6-7
1 Peter 5:7
Psalm 23
Proverbs 3:5-6
Romans 8:38-39
How can I apply this to my life when I see storms of anxiety in the horizon? How can I apply this truth when I’m in the midst of worry and fear?
