Finding Hope and Help When Feeling Anxious

I’ve got a ton of stuff on my mind today. I’m thinking about my half-finished book proposal that I’d hoped to complete by last weekend, an article due today, and two training sessions this week for our summer ministry volunteers. I’m planning for my upcoming trip to Atlanta, GA and then leaving for Eastern Europe on July 4th.  And there’s more.

It’s easy to feel anxious. But in the midst of it all, God brings Scriptures that remind me of His presence and power to help me do what He has called me to do. I love it when He does that.

Here’s what He said this time:

¹I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there?
²My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth!

³He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.
⁴Indeed, he who watches over Israel never slumbers or sleeps.

⁵The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade.
⁶The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.

⁷The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life.
⁸The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever”
(Psalm 121:1-8).

God’s presence and power

Good stuff, eh? You know what really blesses me? The frequent reminders of God’s presence and power in my life today and always. I know He’s beside me and will be my source of strength. The same is true for you.

Maybe you’re a mom who feels overwhelmed with mom responsibilities. Perhaps you’re a caregiver who’s energy is running low. Maybe you’re a ministry leader who’s picking up extra responsibilities because you’re operating with a volunteer shortage. No matter what you face today, know that God watches over your life and will be your help.

Oswald Chambers encourages us to be obsessed by God—to be always mindful that He is with us and around us and living in us at all times if we’ve placed our saving faith in Jesus Christ. He says this knowledge ought to make a difference in our outlook when we feel stressed.

He writes,

“If we are obsessed by God, nothing else can get into our lives—not concerns, not tribulations, not worries. And now we understand why our Lord so emphasized the sin of worrying. How dare we be so unbelieving when God totally surrounds us? To be obsessed by God is to have an effective barricade against all the assaults of the enemy.”

He’s right!

And so, I choose to believe that God knows my concerns and will be my help today. And tomorrow. And the next day, and the next. Every time I feel anxious, I’ll thank Him that He watches over my life and promises to be my help.