One night recently this fall I had a group of women gathered in my living room. I asked them what character quality of God they need most right now. They were brave and vulnerable and one after another said they long for Peace in the face of anxiety. Almost every one said she was struggling with worry, fear…Feeling out of control.
I’m not usually a big worrier, but I confess there have been a few nights recently where the “what if’s” and “what should I do’s” have swirled around in my brain like the eddy in a fast-moving stream.
In If, Mark Batterson notes that “A ship’s anchor doesn’t just keep it from drifting. An anchor can be thrown in front of a ship and used to help it navigate through treacherous channels. The nautical term is ‘kedging'”.
So here’s what I think. Peace is anchoring ourselves not to our circumstances, but to the character of God.
Experiencing peace is not based on what I feel but on who God is.
We need to participate in the discipline of throwing our anchor out in front of us so that we’re continually filling our mind with the power and provision of God.
When we see God as He really is, we see our worries in perspective.
If I’m anchored to the all-sufficient God I’m not focused on the problems, but the Problem-solver.
For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace…Romans 8:6
So I tried an exercise the other day that was really helpful to me and I thought I’d pass it along.
First I wrote down everything I was worried about. All those nagging what if’s and what abouts that ping-pong around in my brain. There were more than I thought. Ahem.
Then I sat with some of the Scripture I want to be anchored to:
My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Cor. 12:9
My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:19
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:25-28
God is the best,
High King over all the gods.
In one hand he holds deep caves and caverns,
in the other hand grasps the high mountains.
He made Ocean—he owns it!
His hands sculpted Earth!
So come, let us worship: bow before him,
on your knees before God, who made us!
Oh yes, he’s our God,
and we’re the people he pastures, the flock he feeds. Psalm 95:3-7
And lastly, I took the page where I wrote all my worries and I did this:
No, not magic, but just some anchors to an all-sufficient God.
What helps you when you are anxious or worried?
Love this line: “Peace is anchoring ourselves not to our circumstances, but to the character of God.”
It is so true. Worry and stress comes when we are anchored to our circumstances. Peace can be ours in the middle of chaos if we are anchored to God.
Thanks for the encouragement today!
I’m thankful it connected with you Judy!
Hi Laura,
Visiting today from Holley’s link-up. I can relate since I tend to worry about things large and small until the very time it actually happens, then I’m infused with an other-worldly calmness! I love what you said about focusing on who God is – -he is sufficient and in that we can rest! Thank you for these words!
Thanks for stopping by, Valerie!
Love the practice of covering our worries and concerns with Scripture! Just read in my Jesus Calling, ‘anxiety is a result of envisioning the future without Me.’ That has been true for me…
Yes, Cara 🙂 Thankful we have Him with us always, everywhere.
oh how I love Mark Batterson’s books!
One of my favorite verses is Exodus 14:14: the Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. 🙂
Yes! Great verse! Thank you Sarah!