In this life there is always something to worry about. You can be worried about the economy, whether or not you have enough money or whether your children will be safe in the world they’re growing up in. You can be worried about all the work you have to get done, the well-being of your family and friends and whether or not you’ll have enough to get through the day. The list can go on.
Yet in the Bible we are told not to worry or to be anxious about anything. (Matthew 6:31; Philippians 4:6) We are encouraged to be still and at peace.
But sometimes finding peace when you’re anxious and caught in the middle of life’s chaos can feel impossible. But the truth is it’s not. It is possible to grab a hold of peace when you are worried. And here are 3 ways that you can do that.
1. Start With Prayer
One of the first things you can do to calm your mind when you’re worried is through prayer.
In the Bible we are urged to pray for all things and that includes anything that may be troubling you. It doesn’t matter how big or small it may seem. Bring it to the Lord.
God always encourages us to come before Him with prayer. He tells us to make requests and ask from Him. (Philippians 4:6) So that is what we must do.
Ask the Lord for help or strength if you don’t feel like you have any. Ask Him to take care of the people or the situation you may be anxious about. Then let go and trust Him to do it.
It is important to remember that once you put something that is worrying you into God’s hands, you must leave it there. Don’t try and take it back. You’ll only find peace if you let go of it and rest in the knowledge that God has it under control.
2. Shift Your Focus
Another practical way to find peace when you’re feeling anxious is shifting your focus.
When you are worried or anxious about something you tend to focus all your attention on it. You can spend hours thinking about how you’re not able to get more money or whether or not your business will recover. But over thinking about a situation only tends to make you more worried.
So instead of focusing on what is troubling you, focus on God. Fix your mind on His Word and the promises in it.
In His Word the Lord promises that He has left us with His peace. (John 14: 27) He promises that whilst there will be tribulation in this life, we can be of good cheer because He has overcome. (John 16:33) God promises that He is a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
If you focus on these comforting truths they will bring you peace. They will remind you that God does not leave you alone in your troubles. In fact, He walks with you and provides you with a way out of them.
3. Don’t Let Your Heart Be Troubled
The third thing you can do to when looking for peace in the middle of your worry is to simply not let yourself get worried. This is what Jesus tells us to do in John 14:1 when He says “Let not your heart be troubled…”
The main reason we tend to worry so much is simply because we let ourselves be worried. We let our hearts be troubled by situations we can’t control.
There is no denying that there are troubling things that take place in life, but God tells us that we shouldn’t let those things worry us.
Jesus says in Matthew 6:27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
What He is essentially telling us is that worrying does absolutely nothing for us. It can’t change your physical stature or the situation you’re in. So why do it? Why not do something like praying, focusing on God and resting in His peace? That will at least accomplish something.
Your prayer will change the situation and focusing on God and dwelling in His peace will calm your heart.
Peace Can Be a Reality
It’s true that life is full of troubling and stressful situations. But we have the blessing of a being able to call upon our Heavenly Father who cares for us (1 Peter 5:7) and He promises that we can rise above such situations and find peace in the middle of them.
It really is possible to find peace when you’re worried. But it’s up to us to take God at His word and actively move towards the peace He promises. Only then will it become a reality.
