How Do I Ask God to Calm My Anxiety? (part two)

The Bible provides powerful guidance for managing stress by focusing on God’s specific instruction on how to find peace in the chaos of life. It’s a direct instruction requiring practice, trust in God, and self-awareness. Here’s how it encourages us to find relief from stress:

Prayer

Talk to God in all Honesty: Start by telling God exactly what you’re feeling. Be open and honest about your anxiety, fears, and worries. God understands your heart, and sharing your struggles with Him is the first step toward peace.

Example Prayer: 

• “God, I don’t like this situation. I am feeling anxious right now. Please calm my heart and mind, and help me trust in You and receive your peace.”
• “God, I know You are with me, but I am having trouble trusting this truth. Please take away my worries and help me feel safe.”
• “Lord, please give me Your peace that guards my heart and mind. Help me trust that You are in control, and help me rest in Your love.”

Let’s look at God’s specific instructions for relieving anxiety. They are found in Philippians 4, where God says that He already knows what we are feeling—anxious. He says this with love and understanding when he begs us not to feel this way because of who He is. He then promises us that when we bring our worries to Him in prayer, His peace will guard our hearts and minds. So, how do you get to the end—the promise? 

Thank God in Everything

Let’s dive deeper into the meaning of Philippians 4:6-7, which says:

• “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

This verse gives us powerful advice about handling anxiety. It tells us that we should pray when we feel anxious, but there’s something even more important in this verse—“with thanksgiving” in every situation, even the stressful or difficult ones.

Everything – Good and Bad

At first, this might sound strange. How can we thank God when anxious or worried about something? Thanking God in tough times doesn’t mean we’re happy about our problems. Instead, it means recognizing that even in our struggles, God is with us and can use those situations for good.

When we thank God in the middle of stress, we choose to focus on His goodness and faithfulness. This doesn’t mean ignoring our problems or pretending that everything is okay. It means acknowledging that, even in difficult situations, God is present and will help us through. When we thank God for helping us, even in our anxiety, we shift our focus away from our worries and toward His promises.

The Promise of Peace

The verse also promises that when we pray with thanksgiving, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds.” This means that even though we may still face stressful situations, God’s peace will surround us. It’s not the kind of peace that makes all our problems go away immediately, but it’s a more profound peace that helps us feel calm and safe even in the middle of chaos.

This peace isn’t supposed to make sense—at least not to those around us. This is because the peace we are asking for is not our own. It’s not the peace that the world offers, where everything in your life needs to be smooth, perfect, or provide personal benefit. Instead, it’s a peace that comes from knowing that God is with you, loves you, and has everything in His hands. Peace guards your heart and mind from fear, worry, and doubt.

Why Thanksgiving Is So Important in Stressful Times

Gratitude Shifts Our Focus: When we thank God, we stop thinking only about our worries and start remembering all the good things He’s done. Maybe He’s helped you before, or maybe you’ve seen how He’s worked in other people’s lives. Gratitude helps us remember that God has always been faithful.

Trusting God’s Plan: Thanking God in the middle of stress shows that we trust Him. We trust that He has a plan for us, even when we don’t understand what’s happening. It’s like saying, “God, I don’t know why this is happening, but I believe You’re in control, and I trust You to help me through.”

Releases Anxiety: When we thank God, we let go of our need to control everything. We tell God, “I know I can’t handle this on my own, but I trust You with it.” This act of surrender can bring peace to our hearts.

Fun Fact:

Did you know scientists have discovered that being thankful can improve your mood? Focusing on things you’re grateful for can make you feel happier and less stressed. It’s like the Bible knew what it was talking about — gratitude brings peace!

Conclusion

Thanking God in everything, especially in times of anxiety and stress, is more than just a nice thing to do. It’s a way to invite God’s peace into our hearts. When we trust God and thank Him, even in difficult times, He promises His peace will guard our hearts and minds. By practicing gratitude and focusing on God’s goodness, we can ease our worry and fear, knowing He is always with us.