His Encouragement #40

Happy Thursday! I am blessed to be a part of a group of bloggers who feel led to share a bit of encouragement each week from the Bible. We recognize our daily need for Christ and we aim to share that with our readers. Plus, when Thursday comes around, we can all use a little encouragement right? I hope that this post blesses you and that you find comfort, strength, and peace in the Lord today ❤

This week it’s on my heart to share:

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

~Philippians 4:6-7

I will easily confess that this is a passage I need to cling to often, and I’m not sorry but I have strong opinions towards it. I have seen this verse viewed as a command to condemn anyone who suffers from anxiety or ever feels anxious (which, if we are all honest, even people who don’t  have full-blown anxiety still have things that will make them feel anxious). I’ve heard people go as far as saying if someone struggles with anxiety that they need to question if their faith is real because real faith would wipe that out. I’ve heard it said that if you feel anxious then you are sinning and therefore just need to repent. If you still deal with it, then that means you aren’t fully giving it to God. So in essence, a person who deals with anxiety is then led to feel even more anxious about their inability to control their anxiety which only makes it spiral more out of control. Can you see the problem here?

Instead I look at this verse to comfort me, and to calm me when I’m feeling anxious. Anyone who thinks that anxiety is only in the mind is sadly mistaken. Anxiety brings with it a racing heart, sweaty hands (or even full-body sweating), trouble breathing, for some a rash, and more. Sometimes you will even feel the physical side effects before you can even begin to question in your mind what is bothering you. Sometimes you’ll figure it out, and other times you won’t.

When I read this verse I hear God saying “don’t be anxious” as a comfort, and His way of telling me He holds the world in His hands. He’s saying to my heart “You don’t have to worry, I got this! I’m here for you, just come to me and I’ll hold you in my arms.” Just as a parent is with their child, He wants us to talk to Him about our hopes and fears. He is there for us to help us walk through them. If you read my post last week, I talked about the verse I consider my verse for the year, and it’s Psalm 94:1 which says “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” I can’t even begin to tell you the peace that this verse speaks to my heart. 

I also want to point out that while anxiety can truly be a struggle, it’s also something you do need to fight against. It is something that you need to seek the Lord and His comfort in. Sometimes anxiety starts from known causes such as trauma and/or sin. If there truly is something you need to repent from, then do that first so that it doesn’t eat away at you from the rest of your life. If it’s from trauma, don’t be afraid to seek biblical counseling. Sometimes you will find that the more you are able to heal from your past, the more hopeful you will feel towards your future. Some people have no idea where their anxiety stems from. It can run in families or even seem to attach to certain personality traits. But regardless of where anxiety comes from, God’s word gives us tools to fight it. God has given us Himself through the Bible and Jesus, to show us His love for us. He doesn’t want us beaten down and defeated, but standing strong in Him. Seek peace in the Lord. Seek peace in His Word. Allow His word to comfort your soul and breath life into you.

So speak life. Encouragement goes a lot farther than condemnation. If you or someone you know suffers from anxiety, take God’s Word as a comfort, that your Heavenly Father loves you and has everything under control. Yes, bad things will happen in this life, but nothing happens without God’s knowledge. Nothing takes Him by surprise. Seek after your Heavenly Father and find rest in Him.

This week I’m ending with the song “Find You on My Knees” sung by Kari Jobe. I absolutely love this song (and pretty much anything else she sings). I hope you take a moment to listen. Have a blessed rest of the week!

Now, it’s your turn!

What Biblical verse is encouraging you today?

And, check out more Thursday Encouragement from my fellow blogger friends:

Nicole @ Christian Fiction Girl

Trisha @ Joy of Reading

Jacquelyn @ A Heavenly Home

Jessica @ A Baker’s Perspective

Jenny @ Author Jenny Lynn

Gina @ Stories By Gina

Rebecca @Rev. Rebecca Writes

If you would like to join us: please contact Trisha or Nicole