Can I be really honest for a moment?

Over the last two weeks, I have had an anxious heart. 

In fact, I believe I have even been the poster child for anxiety at one point during the last 14 days. During the last two weeks, I did what seems to naturally happen when anxiety overwhelms our hearts: I fed it. I was laser focused on my problem and frantically trying to find solutions to things that were out of my control. The “what if” scenarios played over and over again in my mind on replay. Consequently, defeat and discouragement became inevitable.

You see, for a brief amount of time, I forgot that our circumstances are not greater than God’s power. 

Our circumstances are not greater than God's power! Click To Tweet

I forgot the sovereignty of the one who effortlessly holds our universe together. This is my King, my savior, my precious Jesus. And I failed to remember who He is.

I think for a lot of us, we can recite these truths that say “do not fear” or “don’t worry about tomorrow” but these verses alone do nothing to shift our focus from our problem to our Jesus. Sometimes, having someone say “the bible says not to worry about it”, “just don’t worry about it”, or “being afraid is disobedient” even causes more anxiety. So today, I am going to give you 7 verses that have helped me shift my focus from my problems and placed my attention back on the Lover of my soul.

7 Verses For Your Anxious Heart

1. Psalm 61:2

From the end of the Earth will I cry unto thee when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2 (KJV)

This verse has always been one of my “go-to” verses in scripture when I am overwhelmed by everything. To me, it creates such a beautiful picture of surrender and worship. Here, the psalmist is turning his focus and attention from his struggle to his God. “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I”. This Rock that can support us and provide rest is also higher than our circumstances and our struggles. He has power over them and in Him, we already have victory over our struggle!

2. Psalm 56: 3

When I am afraid, I will trust in thee.” Psalm 56: 3 (KJV)

I don’t know about you, but when I am afraid, it is because I am trusting the worst to happen.  My fear is always a direct result of putting my faith in something other than Him. I would even argue that fear is a product of misplaced faith.

Fear is a product of misplaced faith. Click To Tweet This is so easy to do, isn’t it? When we shift our trust from our problems to Him, we can rest.

3. John 14:27

 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 (KJV)

I am thankful we serve the Prince of Peace, amen? And I am thankful that He is willing to freely give us peace that can be found in His presence. We can rest in the peace of His presence, people! And yet, we often times come into His presence as a last resort. I am so guilty of this! He has given us His peace. We can walk in it during every trial and circumstance.

4. Isaiah 43:1

But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. ” Isaiah 43:1 (KJV)

Ohhhhh I love this one! There are so many things that stick out from these verses and give peace to my anxious heart.

•  He created you and formed you! What a wonderful thing! He thought of each of us and uniquely designed us. Just think about it, each personality, every face, and right down to the individual DNA of every person is  different. What wisdom and creativity!
• He has redeemed you! No matter what you are going through right now, He has redeemed you. He believed that you were worth the sacrifice. And not only has He paid the price to redeem our souls, but He can also redeem our trials and our painful circumstances.
• “I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” I don’t know about you, but this gives me chills. “Thou art mine”. He calls me His. What a powerful thing! You are His! We are the sons and daughters of the King of kings and coheirs with Christ. We have all of the power of heaven behind us and calling us by our name and saying we are His! This gives me so much peace. With an eternal perspective, this makes some of the things we are facing in our daily lives shrink away and moves us into an attitude of worship and thankfulness.

5. Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (KJV)

I know for me, whenever I am anxious or afraid, it is easy to feel alone and forgotten. It is easy to convince ourselves that no one cares and that we have to fight our battles on our own. But here, we read that He goes with us! Not only does He go with us, but He will never fail us nor forsake us. What a powerful thing! The Sustainer of the universe goes with us and has promised to never leave our side or fail.

6. Romans 8: 38-39

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 (KJV) 

I know these verses do not directly speak to anxiety specifically, but I wanted to add them in here. There is nothing in this entire world that can separate you from the love of God that is in Christ! Nothing. No trial. No Battle. No Illness. No relationship. No label. No job. Nothing! I know that when I am feeling anxious, these verses help me remember to dwell on His love.

7. Psalm 139: 2-7

You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. Where shall I go from your Spirit?Or where shall I flee from your presence?” Psalm 139: 2-7 (ESV)

I really wanted to include the entire chapter of Psalm 139 into this point, but it was super long. If you get the chance, I encourage you to go read it! I just love the picture that this chapter creates. These verses are so powerful to me! A few of the main points that give me peace are:

• “You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.” 
• “You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me.” 
• “Where shall I flee fro your presence?”

I am thankful for a God who knows me better than I know myself. He protects me from behind and before, and I cannot run from Him… I think if we were being honest, we would all be able to say that we have tried to hide a part of our heart’s from Him before. But He relentlessly and lovingly pursues us. In His wisdom, He knows that the very thing we need more of is more of Him.

He wants to create a new work in your circumstance today. He wants you to know the peace that is found in Him.

What about you? Are you anxious, worried, or discouraged? How has He given you peace? What other verses has He used to calm your anxious heart? Let me know in the comments below!

 

Related: Letting the Holy Spirit Invade