Living Changed: Trusting GodSample

Trusting God When You’re Anxious

When we’re worried, it doesn’t help for someone to tell us that we’re all worked up for nothing or that we should just get over it. Instead of quieting our fears, this kind of advice just leaves us feeling unheard, uncared for, and invalidated. Simply being told not to be anxious won’t stop our anxiety. In those moments, we have to actively seek God to find peace.

Elisha was a prophet in the Old Testament who would hear from God and warn the king of Israel whenever another nation was planning to attack. After the king of Aram’s plans failed multiple times, he decided to send his army to capture Elisha. One morning, the camp was surrounded by the enemy, and Elisha’s servant started to panic. Elisha told him not to fear because the Lord’s army outnumbered their enemy’s army. Then he prayed for his servants’ eyes to be opened, and the young man saw that the hillside was full of horses and chariots of fire.

When we are overcome with fear, we need to be reminded that our God is with us and He’s bigger than anything that threatens to hurt us. Instead of letting our thoughts spiral out of control, we need to ground ourselves in Scripture. We need to recognize our negative thought patterns and practice replacing the lies with the truth of God’s Word.

The Bible says we don’t have to live in fear because God has given us a sound mind. He is our protector, our provider, our strength, our refuge, and our everything. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Just like He rescued Elisha, we can trust that He will be faithful to rescue us.

When our anxious thoughts keep echoing in our heads, we may be tempted to numb our fear with mindless activity. While we may find a temporary escape in substances, unhealthy relationships, or social media scrolling, none of that will solve our anxiety. By choosing to numb, we’re choosing to be passive. However, if we want to renew our minds and live by faith, we have to take an active role in eliminating our anxious thoughts.

If you often find yourself dwelling on negative possibilities, create cues that will help you shift your focus. Keep Scripture in front of you by writing it on your mirror, framing your favorite verse for your desk, or signing up for push notifications on your phone. Surround yourself with godly community who you can be open and vulnerable with. Remember who God is, what He’s done, and what He promises to do. Speak His truth over your life, over and over until you believe it.

If you trust that what the Bible says is true, then you can choose to trust God in the middle of your anxiety. Whatever you’re worried about, God is good enough and powerful enough and loving enough to take any outcome–the one you want and the ones you don’t–and use it for your good.

Learning to fully trust God doesn’t come easily. It isn’t as simple as completing one Bible plan. It takes repeatedly reading His Word and hiding it in your heart so that you can draw on it when the hard days come. It takes choosing to look for His goodness and faithfulness, not just in the Bible, but in your own life. God has always been with you, and He always will be. He has never failed you, and He never will. You can trust Him with your whole heart and your every tomorrow.

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