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Overcome Anxiety with Peace

Roman footwear is one of the key reasons the empire experienced success in warfare. The Roman shoe was well crafted and gave the soldier the stability and traction he needed when fighting in tense situations. In the same way, the believers’ “spiritual shoes” provide stability and traction when tense situations come their way. As Paul wrote, “Stand therefore . . . having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:14–15 NKJV).

Battling anxiety is much like fighting the enemy in close combat. If you’re unprepared, Satan will see that vulnerability. If you feel doubt, fear, hesitation, or uncertainty, he sees those things too. And whatever Satan observes, he uses to his advantage. This is why you need peace in your life—both peace with God and the peace of God.

When we to come to Jesus Christ and put our trust in Him, the Bible says that “therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1 NKJV). The peace that Jesus offers was purchased at the price of His own blood. It is your legacy because of the cross. Although life is filled with worries and anxieties, because of the gospel of peace, the one thing you don’t ever have to fear is losing God’s love. Even in the darkest nights of the soul, the God of all peace is with you and for you.

Is it possible to find peace when facing danger? The answer is yes. Even during the darkest times, when anxiety wants to overwhelm you, you can still find peace. This is because peace is not the removal of trouble but a way of living joyfully and worry-free in spite of trouble—and how you pray is key in being able to correctly handle your stress and anxiety. When faced with crises, prayer should be your first thought, not your last resort. Prayer is to be preventative and proactive. You pray in advance of the hardship and invite the Holy Spirit into the picture. 

If you want to be free of anxiety and put on the shoes of the gospel of peace, you also need to saturate your mind with God’s truth so you can live from His perspective (see Philippians 4:8). The Lord is certainly at peace, and when you are able to see as He sees, you can be at peace as well, no matter what circumstances you are facing. So learn to rest your thoughts on the Almighty and trust in the Father’s love and care for you. Trust in His wisdom.

Also, be sure to surround yourself with others who have walked the path before you and learned how to trust God when life is overwhelming. These mentors can teach you to trust God and receive His peace one day at a time. As you do this, you will find that you can hold your ground and overcome any assault. Your faith, like those cleated Roman shoes, will hold firm to the terrain before you and keep you from slipping and falling. 

Respond 

Using the word peace, how would you describe your relationship with God? 

How does peace with God affect your time in prayer?

Name a challenge you face today. How will wearing the shoes of the gospel of peace help you overcome this challenge?