Transformation

Overcome Anxiety With God: 6 Steps to Help You

I sit beneath the hemlocks while my little boy throws rocks into the water. I’m thankful we have a place to slip away from the demands of our days.  Today, I’m desperate to overcome anxiety with God in this quiet moment by the water.

A question comes to mind as I sit in the silence: Where does my life feel out of control?

When I feel like I have a grip on my life, peace reigns.  However, when my house is a mess, my schedule is overbooked, my kids are disobeying me, and my career feels uncertain, anxiety creeps in.

Not long ago, a friend looked into my eyes and said, “Stacey, Jesus wants you to find your peace in him, not in a clean house, obedient kids, and a certain future.”

Sadly, when I find my peace in pleasant circumstances, I overlook the truth about unchanging peace.

Peace is a Person. 

The Apostle Paul wrote these words to the church in Ephesus: “He himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14).

Overcoming Anxiety With God

Jesus offers us peace with God at the cross. He then offers us peace to overcome conflicts in our lives.  Jesus is big enough to settle our external conflicts with others as well as our internal conflicts as we wrestle with our own desires.

Are you anxious today?

Are you anxious because some area of your life feels out of control?

Today, God is inviting you to find your peace in Jesus, not in peaceful circumstances.

Remember That Peace Is a Person

Peace is a Person who promised to never leave us.

I can overcome anxiety with God by remembering where I find my peace.  I don’t find peace by keeping a grip on my life.  This peace is fleeting and prone to change with circumstances.

The surrendered life does not require a perfect house, obedient children, or organized commitments in order to walk with peace.  The surrendered life walks with the Person of Peace.  He reigns throughout even the most chaotic seasons.

I can overcome anxiety with God by remembering where I find my peace. I don't find peace by keeping a grip on my life. #Peace #GodsPeace #PeacewithGod #anxiousthoughts Click To Tweet

Perhaps you need this reminder today, too.  Perhaps you need some encouragement to help you rise above anxiety.  This is for you:

How to Stop Anxious Thoughts and Overcome Anxiety With God

Here are a few suggestions for how to rise above anxiety in your life:

1. Begin by recognizing the anxiety.

Call it what it is.

Recognize your struggle and admit it to yourself.

Look for indicators.  Learn to pay attention to the tightness of your chest, the headache that settles behind your eyes, or the racing pulse.  Name the anxiety as soon as you notice the signs.

2. Ask one simple question to reveal the root.

Stop and ask where your life feels out of control.

Are you afraid of some upcoming event?

Are you afraid of what people will think of you?

Do you fear the future?

Are you finding your peace through a sense of control instead of Jesus’ presence with you?

Identify any areas of your life that feel out of control.

3. Assess which parts of your life you can control.

Do you need to make adjustments in your life?

Maybe you do need to cut back on commitments, more deliberately plan your weekly schedule, or find a schedule that will hold you accountable to clean your house regularly.  Ask God to show you any changes he wants you to make.

4. Assess where you do not have control.

Once you’ve made adjustments for the areas in which you do have control, identify the specific areas of your life over which you do not have control.

You don’t have control over the way your coworkers treat you.  You can’t control all of your child’s behaviors.  Your job situation might not be under your full control.

Mentally release the parts of your life to God.  Acknowledge your trust in him.  Ask for his wisdom.

5. Overcome anxiety with God by clinging to what is true.

After casting your cares on the Lord, submit yourself to his work in your life.  Cling to what is true.

Here are seven helpful truths for your anxious seasons: Truth for the Days When You Feel Anxious.

6. Worship while you lay down control.

It’s not easy to give up control of parts of our lives that matter deeply to us.

Worship God as you turn these areas of your life over to him.  Ask him to help you accept an imperfect home, imperfect finances, imperfect children, and an imperfect schedule.

A Free Devotional Book to Help You Overcome Anxiety With God:

Lastly, I have a gift for you.

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These Two Books are Free on Kindle Unlimited as eBooks and Also Available in Print:

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Calling All Moms and Daughters!

Additionally, my 12-year-old daughter, Bekah, and I wrote a mother-daughter devotional book to help mothers and daughters grow closer together while connecting with God.  Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith includes 60 devotions with Scripture, commentaries from both of us, conversation starters, and even a shared journaling section.  Multitudes of mothers, daughters, mentors, and younger women are being transformed by this book!  You can find this book in eBook form for free on the Kindle Unlimited Plan or buy a print copy for 11.99 right here.

I’m passionate about equipping others to encounter God in powerful and life-changing ways. When I’m not writing, you’ll find me hiking, jogging, exploring wild places with my three young children and husband, leading small groups, and mentoring younger women. A certified special education teacher, I am on leave from the classroom for a season of chasing frogs and playing in creeks with my little ones. Most of all, the compassionate love of Jesus has forever ravished my heart, and I'm emphatic about making his love known to the world.