Categories: My Spiritual Groove

When You Feel Anxious: A Devotional on Finding God’s Peace (Philippians 4:6-7)

Anxiety comes from a place of fear. When you are anxious your heart cries in frustration. One of the first things we do is worry. Worry is the enemy of peace. Peace comes from spending time with the Lord and trusting that he’s got your back. There are other benefits to spending time with him. Building a relationship and building that trust takes time.

The more time you spend with him the deeper your connection gets with him. I remember my first few times I tried hearing his voice. I sat on the floor of my room with a cassette recorder ready to record whatever great thing he had to say to me about my life at the time. Needless to say, I sat there a long time and I heard nothing. Not a thing. But that didn’t stop me from ever trying again.

Since that day I have logged many many hours waiting and just enjoying his presence. And the more time I spent, the deeper our connection got and my ability to see visions and hear his voice got stronger and stronger. God speaks to us in so many different ways. He speaks to all of us through his word. Some of us see visions and some hear words, some like me see and hear a mix of all of those things.

Being able to hear from him has changed my life in so many ways. When I feel anxious or worried, I check in with him, and though I may not always hear what I want to hear, and it requires me standing on who he is and who he has been in my life, just his voice, or impression he brings to my heart, brings the peace I need.

Scripture

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Devotional

As you spend time with the Lord today, ask him to settle your heart where you are feeling anxious. You may not hear a word or see a vision, but I know he will speak to you. Be open though as you put everything aside for him to speak a word or give you a picture, he delights in speaking to us! He is not withholding. He is not being aloof. He is so excited that you are coming to him to hear or see or just let him pour his love onto you with peace.

Prayer

A prayer you can speak today if words fail you…

Father, I know you are listening and you love to speak to me. Today I feel anxious about ______ in my life. I know that you are good and you hear me. I know you are working all things out for my good. Thank you for hearing me even in my fear. I still trust you Lord because you are bigger than me. You created the whole world and you can handle all of my problems. I give them to you today in Jesus’ name. Amen.