Devotional

Anxiety is a relentless enemy. It sneaks in quietly, often disguising itself as concern or preparation, but before long, it tightens its grip—leaving us restless and overwhelmed. I know this battle well. There have been nights when my mind refused to rest—when worry about the future, my responsibilities, or the unknown kept me staring at the ceiling, desperate for peace.

But in those moments, God reminds me: Peace isn’t found in having everything under control; it’s found in surrendering control to Him.

Paul’s words in Philippians 4:6-7 are a direct call to combat anxiety—not through sheer willpower, but through prayer. “Do not be anxious about anything.” That’s a bold command. How is that possible when life is unpredictable, when financial struggles weigh us down, when health concerns loom, or when the future feels uncertain? Paul gives the answer immediately: “But in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

When we take our burdens to God, something supernatural happens: “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” This isn’t a temporary peace that comes and goes with circumstances—it’s a divine, unexplainable peace that steadies us in the midst of chaos.

The key to experiencing this peace is twofold: bringing everything to God in prayer and approaching Him with thanksgiving. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what God has already done, reminding us of His faithfulness and strengthening our trust.

I don’t know who said this, but worry is like a rocking chair—it gives you something to do, but it doesn’t get you anywhere. The moment we exchange worry for worship, our burdens become lighter. Instead of letting anxiety run rampant in our thoughts, we must turn our concerns into prayers. And God, in His faithfulness, replaces our fear with His peace.

This doesn’t mean anxiety won’t try to creep back in—it will. But each time it does, we have a choice: will we dwell on our worries, or will we surrender them to God? Peace isn’t about avoiding problems; it’s about knowing that in every storm, God is in control. His peace isn’t dependent on perfect circumstances—it comes from resting in His presence.