When I Feel Anxious

For the last couple of days I have been preparing for a speaker/writer’s conference I’ll be attending this weekend.  And I’ll be honest – I feel a bit anxious.  The preparation.  The anticipation.  The hope that my meetings with editors and agents will go well.  It’s all left me feeling a bit stressed.

Do you ever feel that way?  I’m betting you can relate.  When we step out to tackle something new or out of our comfort zone we can end up asking ourselves “Why did I agree to do this, anyway?”  It just seems easier to live life in the safety and comfort of the familiar. 

But a live lived without risks – although admittedly, less stressful – is also less purposeful.  God never intended us to live life in the safety of the familiar.  No, God desires us to live life increasingly dependent upon Him.  That’s what living by faith not by sight is all about.

But still, a person who desires to live by faith has emotions.  Emotions like anxiety, fear and insecurity.  So what do we do when these emotions fill our hearts?  Well, we can shrink back, turn from whatever is causing the anxiety and run the other way.  Or we can handle anxiety the way God tells us to, which is what I have been practicing all day today.

Philippians 4:6-7 says,

^“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.”

Quite simply we have a choice when the stresses of life overwhelm us:  we can panic or we can pray.  But there is an often missed key to praying in such a way that truly brings peace.  In fact, I missed it for years.  I used to pray in the midst of an anxiety producing situation but honestly felt no different after I prayed than before.  Why?  Because I failed to pray with thanksgiving.  “…in everything, by prayer, with thanksgiving….” the passage says. My prayers must be coupled with my thanks.  Only then is God’s peace released into my life in such a way that His peace guards my heart and my mind.

So today when I felt anxious, I stopped and prayed for God to bless my time, direct my steps and lead me according to His plan.  But I didn’t stop there.  I thanked Him that He would, indeed, direct my steps.  I thanked Him that no matter the outcome, He is in control.  I thanked Him that He knows the plans He has for me and I can rest in His goodness and love.  Now, that’s a prayer that brings peace!  Because petitions coupled with thanksgiving bring perspective. 

So what about you today?  Is there anything in your life that may be producing a bit of anxiety or stress?  God has a game plan for how you can experience peace.  Right now decide that you will handle your stress the way God tells you to.  Be anxious for nothing.  In everything, by prayers and petitions, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.  Then allow His peace to wash over your anxious soul.