Trading worry for faith

For the full context of this post read 1 Peter 5:1-11.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) reports that 18% of Americans over the age of 18 struggle with anxiety annually. My grandmother used to say things made her nervous. Today, we may refer to things that make us anxious, or say that we worry too much. The truth about me is that I can be a self-sabotaging, anxiety ridden, anxious worrier with nervous genes! Since the majority of the things that I worry about will never happen, I need something else to focus on. Here’s what I’m meditating on this week:

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast (1 Peter 5:6-10, NIV).

When my mind is full of anxious thoughts, I’m not very alert. My self-sabotaging habits can drain all of the energy from me and make me feel weak and ready to give up. On my most worrisome days, I find myself thinking that if someone who truly cared about me told me that everything was going to be okay, I’d worry less. Peter encouraged believers that God is that person who truly cares about us! He wrote, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind.” When I am alert and have a clear mind, it is easier for me to cast my anxiety on God. When I do so, he makes my weak and weary heart strong, of firm faith, and steadfast.

This week I plan to trade my worries for faith. This week I plan to meditate on and memorize 1 Peter 5: 6-10. Will you take up this same challenge as together we become alert, firm, and steadfast?

Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA). Facts and statistics. https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics.