Category: Anxiety

Rooted and Established

At the tender age of six, I was starting first grade at a new school. My family was in the process of moving to a town an hour away, but our new home wasn’t ready yet. So, my four older siblings and I spent the first six weeks of the school year commuting with our dad to our new schools. Every morning I woke up in the dark feeling utter dread. A lump would form in my throat and I’d fight back tears when my mom kissed me goodbye. As our station wagon rumbled down the freeway, the anxious butterflies in my stomach intensified with every mile. I dreaded being away from the comfort and security of my mom’s presence and felt untethered and cast adrift in a sea of unfamiliar faces at my new school.

My tearful departures didn’t let up until one day when my mom leaned down to hug me and said, “Even though I can’t be there with you, Jesus can. Just remember that He’s there holding your hand, no matter what.” Her words were such a comfort to me that my tears began to ebb. Every day after that I’d plead, “Tell me again, mom. Tell me about Jesus holding my hand.” Armed with that reassuring knowledge, the angst I’d felt soon faded. 

I’m grateful my mom used that emotional season to point me to Jesus, knowing His presence would comfort me when hers couldn’t. In the midst of my struggles, she taught me to change my perspective so that I could grow stronger and learn to trust Jesus for myself. Like a tree held firmly by deep roots, I learned that attaching myself to Him kept me secure, no matter what challenges I encountered. (See Psalm 1:1-3 and Jeremiah 17:7-8 for other examples of this tree metaphor in Scripture.)

That story came to mind as I read Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3: “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19, NIV)

Here, Paul wraps up three chapters explaining our new identity as children of God and inclusion as fellow citizens with His chosen people. Now he prays we will grasp the magnitude of our new status and live like we believe it’s true. Being rooted and established in love means knowing who we are because we know WHOSE we are—beloved children of the King of Kings. Through the sacrifice of Christ, God did everything necessary to root us in Him; Paul prays that we would grasp this incredible truth with every fiber of our being.

The word “power” used in this translation is the Greek word “katalambano” which means: to take eagerly, seize, possess, apprehend, attain, comprehend, find, obtain, perceive.1 It “implies more than a mental understanding. It literally means ‘to take hold of something and make it one’s own.’ In order for the Ephesian Christians to truly understand the ‘love that surpasses knowledge,’ they needed to go beyond hearsay. This kind of comprehension is experiential. It requires us to take hold of a truth and define ourselves by it. Paul was encouraging them—and all saints everywhere—to meditate on what it means to be fully loved by God for the sake of Christ. He wanted them to grasp God’s love in all its fullness; to know … God’s love is all-encompassing, far exceeding our ability to comprehend. Its breadth and length and height and depth are staggering. It requires meditation, soul-searching, and honesty in order to draw near enough to God to comprehend His nature (James 4:8).”2

My “experiential knowledge” of God’s love began in first grade. The reassurance that Jesus was holding my hand gave me the comfort and security I longed to have. I’ve continued to build on my knowledge and experience since then– growing deeper roots in God’s love through prayer, studying Scripture, and practicing the way of Jesus.

How often do you marvel at the fullness of God’s love for you? How does knowing that He loves you beyond comprehension affect the way you view yourself and interact with others? Regardless of your answers, there’s always an opportunity to deepen your understanding and experience the Lord more fully. Consider spending time in prayer this week inviting God to expand your capacity to experience His love and to let it change your perspective.

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Inspired by Ephesians: A Study of Faith and Practice by Jackie Hill Perry, Jasmine Holmes and Melissa Kruger, Lifeway Press, 2024.

1. Strong’s Concordance 2638 

2. Got Questions, “What Does It Mean to Comprehend the ‘Breadth, Length, Height, Depth’ in Ephesians 3:18?”

Let it Unfold

It’s been almost a year since God answered an angsty prayer by speaking to me in a dream. I’d found myself in a familiar situation—coordinating logistics for my family’s schedule and feeling frustrated that everyone wasn’t in sync. A tense conversation with one of my kids hadn’t ended well and I’d gone to bed discouraged. After tossing and turning for several hours, I fell into a fitful sleep while my brain continued to process a solution to our stalemate. 

My son’s lack of willingness to adjust to my plan was going to cost time and money as well as causing great inconvenience. Before falling asleep, I’d been weighing the different approaches I could use to get him to see the situation from my perspective. Exhausted, I eventually drifted off to sleep when, just before waking, calming words in a dream filled me with peace. I don’t think I heard the Lord audibly, but His message was clear: “Let it unfold.”

Pulling back the covers in the dawn light, I chose to trust God’s gentle voice as I anticipated the day ahead. Instead of trying to convince my son to get on board with my logistically “superior” plan, I held off and opted to let events unfold without intervening. A few months later, when the plans came to fruition, I understood what the Lord had been doing. The plan that, in my mind, had seemed illogical and inconvenient actually turned out to be God’s provision—a needed respite in an unexpected season of intensity in our family.

I view time as a precious commodity and see efficiency as the key to prevent wasting it. There’s nothing I love more than a well-crafted plan that works out exactly as I expect. But in the past year, the Lord has reminded me again and again of that phrase He gave me last summer: “Let it unfold.” When I’m tempted to speak up and step in to fix, suggest, or point out a better way to do something, I’m learning to pause and pray first. In my attempts to help others or improve situations, my proactivity can short-circuit the learning process for someone else. Worse still, it can squelch the Holy Spirit from moving or speaking.

We live in a fast-paced world and most of us don’t believe we have time to slow down and let things unfold, but that’s not the way of Jesus. When I’m tempted to rush or to force my plan on someone else, I’m reminded that Jesus was never in a hurry. He never rushed. Likewise, God never forces Himself or His plans on us. He waits patiently and delights when we choose to follow His ways instead of ours. I love how Jesus says this in The Message (a contemporary language paraphrase of the Bible): 

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Learning to “let it unfold” has been an exercise in restraint for the past year. But as I’ve held back and waited longer than I would have preferred, I’ve watched the Lord move and have witnessed His “unforced rhythms of grace” more times than I can count. Sometimes it’s with one of my adult kids, other times, it’s been with extended family, or people I serve with or lead in ministry. Letting things unfold has helped me avoid unneeded tension with others that often comes with unsolicited advice, unwelcome opinions, and forced decisions. The Lord has shed light on pride that leads me to see my way of doing things as “best.” He’s humbled me and helped me to recognize the beauty of letting others learn through experience instead of being subjected to my “helpful” suggestions. I’m still growing in patience but am seeing the positive results of trusting His timing instead of acting on my impulses. 

What about you? Are you ever tempted to intervene and fast track the learning process for someone else? Do you sometimes want to help others see the value of your perspectives or opinions whether they’re ready to listen or not? Are you quick to offer a suggestion or observation before inviting the Holy Spirit to intercede? Letting things unfold doesn’t mean doing nothing, but it does mean pausing to pray. Sometimes the Lord may prompt you to speak up or step in; at other times He’ll guide you to hold off and wait. Seeking His guidance enables you to be confident that you’re relying on God’s wisdom instead of your knee-jerk response.

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Pour Out Your Heart

She sat against the wall with the other outcasts watching the honored guests reclining at the table. The host, Simon the Pharisee, tolerated her presence to fulfill his obligation to the law. The Scriptures commanded that he provide food for the poor, but it didn’t mean he had to show warmth or kindness to her as she waited for a few meager scraps from the table. She had a reputation as a sinful woman around town, but couldn’t resist showing up with the other unfortunate, sick, and lame people when she heard Jesus was the guest of honor.

So, she sat with her back against the wall and listened to the conversation, waiting for the moment when she could talk with Jesus. He’d caught her eye at one point and instead of turning away in disgust as Simon had, he’d smiled. The love in His eyes drew her to Him. She felt seen and valued in a way she’d never experienced before. Unable to hold back any longer, she approached Him from behind and knelt. Tears welled up in her eyes and flowed onto the dusty feet that Simon had neglected to wash when Jesus entered his home. Realizing she had nothing to dry them with, she uncovered her hair and used it to wipe away the tears. Before she lost her nerve, she kissed His feet. Then, drawing an alabaster jar out of her cloak, she anointed them with costly perfume, pouring out her only possession of value.

Without saying a word, the woman’s actions showed the shame and regret she felt over her sins. Looking at her with love and mercy, Jesus raised her from her low position, honoring her humility and restoring her dignity: “Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.’ Then Jesus said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ The other guests began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’ Jesus said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’” (Luke 7:44-50, NIV)

The sinful woman came to Jesus without pretense. Tears flowed as she encountered His deep love in spite of her sin. She offered Him the most valuable thing she had and accepted His grace and forgiveness in return. Their interaction was authentic, unfiltered, and raw. Are those words you would use to describe your interactions with Jesus? 

Kristi McClelland explains, “Jesus could handle both, a mixture of anointing oil and a woman’s deepest pain poured out in her tears. We can pour our whole hearts out to Jesus. We can leave it all before Him. We can cast it all upon Him. He can take it, and He wants to take it. When we pour out our hearts to Jesus, He begins generously lifting us up in grace and truth. Like the woman in Luke 7, He can lift us up and send us on our way in peace.”1

Her words echo David’s in Psalm 62: “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” (Psalm 62:5-8, NIV) 

The Lord invites us to pour out our hearts to Him with honesty. He gives us the freedom to be raw and unfiltered before Him. Unfortunately, most of us shy away from this, just as we do in human relationships. We prefer safe and sanitized interactions that shield our vulnerability and weakness. Often, it’s not until we’re desperate that we finally shed our façades and engage the Lord honestly. At least, that’s been my experience. 

For me, pouring out my heart has often happened when I’ve had nowhere else to turn. During a season of intense loneliness in college when I felt I had no one I could trust, the Lord became my closest confidante. A decade later, during a time of deep depression after I’d been betrayed by a friend, I poured out my hurt to the Lord and found comfort and healing. More recently, I turned to Him amidst the grief of losing my mom to cancer. However, it’s not only in difficult times that I’ve sought the Lord. I’ve discovered praying with raw emotions and unfiltered words on a regular basis gives me peace and leads to deeper intimacy with Jesus.  

Although it feels daunting, pouring out our hearts to God is worth the effort. It gives us time to process and gain perspective. It allows us room to feel our emotions without having them lead us to react with impulsive behavior. Pouring out our hearts to God opens us to receive His wisdom and compassion. Sometimes it helps us to recognize where our feelings may be leading us astray. Pouring out our hearts enables us to discern what to do next and drives us to use Scripture as our guide.

We’re living in a culture that encourages us to be led by our feelings without restraint and without considering consequences. When we follow this path, it often leads to further pain and damaged relationships. Conversely, we’re also encouraged to anesthetize ourselves to numb our feelings rather than processing them. Instead of acknowledging our emotions and determining what triggered them, we pour a glass of wine, go on a shopping spree, binge watch Netflix, scroll on social media, or indulge in our favorite foods. These strategies ultimately leave us feeling hollow and unsatisfied. They can also cause additional problems, compounding the complicated mix of emotions that are already consuming us. 

Pouring out our hearts to Jesus in prayer provides a safe, loving landing place for the tangle of thoughts and feelings that plague us. Sharing them with the Lord deepens our connection to Him and helps us to keep our emotions and mental spinning from getting the best of us. 

Are you ready to approach Jesus with your unfiltered and authentic thoughts and feelings? Will you seek Him first instead of as a last resort? Make it a regular practice and receive the peace only He can provide. Need some inspiration? Listen to Rachael Lampa’s song “Perfectly Loved” by clicking here. Let it prompt you to pour out your heart to Jesus today. 

1. Kristi McClelland, Jesus and Women in the First Century and Now, Lifeway Press, 2019, 77.

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Sharing Hope

Feeling the vibration of my phone in my purse, I pulled it out and checked my texts. A long-time friend was reaching out to ask for prayer as her father neared the end of his life. Feeling weary and discouraged from months of dealing with doctors, caregivers, and grim diagnoses, she’d dashed off a text to a small group of us who had been supporting her. Empathizing with her grief, I replied with words of encouragement and a few verses that had sustained me in similar situations. Other friends chimed in with additional support, prayers, and Bible verses. Later, she replied to tell us how grateful she was to be reminded of the hope found in Jesus. 

In the past few years I’ve had many opportunities like this one. It’s a privilege to help someone reframe hard circumstances by looking at them from an eternal perspective. Experiences like this affirm Priscilla Shirer’s words in her Elijah Bible study: “What God says pinpoints the hinge that separates hope from hopelessness, possibility from impossibility…Elijah’s time in Cherith is what enabled his faith reflex to be so easily ignited during his interaction with the widow. He seemed almost to jump at the chance to introduce God’s provision and promise to her. He didn’t minimize her lack or pretend it wasn’t real…[but] he emphasized the word of the Lord that applied to her specific circumstance.”1

Elijah had experienced God’s miraculous provision first-hand during the eighteen months ravens fed him while living by the brook Cherith (1 Kings 17:2-6). So, when he left Cherith and encountered a starving widow in Zarephath preparing to make her final meal “Elijah said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid….For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’ She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.” (1 Kings 17:13a, 14-16, NIV)

Elijah’s experience in Cherith enabled him to offer life-giving hope to the widow in Zarephath. But this story isn’t meant to stay tucked in the pages of Scripture. Priscilla Shirer challenges us, “Listen to me: Zarephath strategically brings you face to face with someone else’s impossibility—the terminal diagnosis, the unreachable child, the failing marriage, the crippling depression. Hear them and sincerely empathize when they tell you what they see, but don’t leave the conversation without inserting what their omniscient, omnipresent, sovereign, promise-keeping God says.”2

Of course, being able to give hope to someone else implies you’re pursuing God on your own—investing time in His Word, claiming His promises, and trusting that He’s going to come through for you. Our ability to encourage others and point them toward hope depends largely on how well we know God for ourselves. A firm foundation of faith is laid one day at a time. Intimacy with the Lord builds trust and provides hope when the world tells us all is lost. Priscilla Shirer describes the benefit of doing this: “As God matures and refines us, life’s crises won’t be capable of flipping the switch inside us that rams us into fear and anxiety mode. Instead, they will trigger and innate reaction within us to call out, to cry out, to the Lord. To trust Him. To rely on His sovereignty.”3

As we learn to lean into the Lord and let Him speak to us in trials and difficulties, He’ll use those experiences to give us “Zarephath moments” to encourage others. In the New Testament, Paul affirms this saying “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV)

It’s a privilege to come along side others in their pain and struggles; it’s a joy to point them toward hope found only through Jesus. To do this effectively, here are a few suggestions to keep in mind:

1) Don’t rush your own healing process in your zeal to help others. If you’re enduring a trial or hardship, be tender and patient with yourself. Recognize your own limitations. Helping others while you’re still in the midst of your own hard situation can short-circuit your healing and be detrimental to them. You need the benefit of perspective before you’re ready to offer support. Elijah couldn’t attest to the Lord’s provision until he’d completed his tenure by the brook Cherith. 

2) Remember that others’ struggles aren’t exactly like yours. While there may be parallels between the difficulty you’ve had and the one someone else is facing, there are also differences. There’s usually not a one-size-fits-all approach to trials and challenges each of us face. And no one needs to hear how much worse your situation was in comparison with the one they’re enduring. Be honest about what you’ve experienced, but be sensitive and listen well.

3) If you’re going to share a Bible verse, take time to explain why it impacted you. Don’t make Scripture trite by throwing random verses at a hard situation and hoping they’ll stick. It’s meaningful to share promises from the Bible, books, songs, and articles that God used to encourage you, so be sure to tell your struggling friend how you benefited from them.

As you expand in your knowledge of Scripture and experience personal encouragement from it, the Lord will give you opportunities to share His truth with others who need hope too. Why not take a moment to pray about it right now? Try something like this: Lord, help me commit to studying your Word and applying it to my circumstances. Show me where I need personal healing before I can help others. Prompt me with the right words when you’re calling me to be a spokesperson for Your promises, as Elijah was for the widow in Zarephath. Help me to be sensitive and listen well. Please continue to encourage me in my struggles and lead me to opportunities to share hope with others who need it too. 

Let Mike Doheny’s song “All Together” inspire you to be authentic in your personal hardships and empathetic with others. Click here to listen.

  1. Priscilla Shirer, Elijah, Lifeway Press, 2020, 104.
  2. Ibid, 104
  3. Ibid, 109 

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Bonus Post: Why Prayer Matters

What is the purpose of prayer? Many see it as a way to ask God for what we want or need: healing for a loved one, a solution to a big problem, or a positive outcome for a challenging circumstance. So, when we get what the desired result, we say our prayers “worked” and that God is good. The challenge comes when God keeps us waiting or gives us a different answer–which can lead us to become confused, angry, or disillusioned. 

Megan Fate Marshman offers a different perspective on prayer. She describes it as “connecting with the one who loves you most.” So, prayer isn’t only about asking God for what we want but about cultivating a relationship with Him. This is also what Jeremiah describes when he writes from God’s perspective saying: “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13, NIV)

Prayer is so much more than just a tool for making requests of God or a last resort when we’ve run out of all other options. Over the years, I’ve discovered many truths about it through consistent practice and study. It’s changed me and caused my faith in God to grow deeper and wider.  Prayer is more powerful than most of us realize. Let’s look at four reasons why it matters:

Prayer Invites God Into our Circumstances: Psalm 139 tells us that God perceives our thoughts and knows what we’re going to say before we speak. Some would argue that there’s no reason to talk to the Lord since He already knows everything about us. However, the purpose of prayer isn’t to inform God of our circumstances; it’s to invite Him into them. Prayer opens the lines of communication between God and you, just as you talk regularly with people you love. It gives the Lord permission to speak into our lives and to share His wisdom. Often, prayer changes our hearts more than it changes our circumstances. That’s exactly what we see at the end of Psalm 139 when David says: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV)

Prayer is the Healthiest Way to Manage Fear and Worry: Anxiety is on the rise in our culture. Many of us feel a constant undercurrent of fear and worry at all times. We try to control our surroundings, our circumstances, our plans, and our relationships as a way to stave off those panicky feelings. Our minds churn over worst-case scenarios and “what-ifs” that fill us with dread. The irony is, all the time we spend worrying and fretting does nothing to change our circumstances. It wastes our energy, overwhelms our thoughts, and steals our joy–preventing us from living life to the fullest. In contrast, taking all that angst and laying it before God frees us to trust Him and to expend mental energy in more meaningful and productive ways. No one says it better than the Apostle Paul: “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, NIV)

Prayer Changes Our Perspective: When we praise God in prayer, we’re reminded of His character. Consider David’s words: “The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does. The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:13, 14, 18, NIV) Praising God for His trustworthiness, faithfulness, and nearness reassures us He can handle anything we bring before Him. This simple but profound quote from author and pastor AW Tozer sums up the power of praise: “As God is exalted to the right place in our lives, a thousand problems are solved all at once.” 

Prayer Lets Us Take Action When We Feel Powerless: When circumstances unfold the way we want or expect, we have the illusion that we’re in control, which makes us feel powerful. But here’s the harsh truth: There are few things we can actually control beyond our reactions. When we accept our humble position, we give God more opportunity to work in our lives. Consider Paul’s realization He could only rely on God’s strength in light of his personal struggles: “Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7b-10, NIV

How freeing it is to accept our frailty and weakness and to recognize humbly that we have no power on our own. Acknowledging we don’t have control and trusting God gives us access to true power from the One who loves us most of all. 

Phil Wickham’s “Battle Belongs” is an incredible song filled with Scripture that reveals the power we have through prayer. Click here to listen and celebrate this truth today.

Megan Fate Marshman, Meant for Good: The Adventure of Trusting God and His Plans for You, Zondervan, 2020, page 79.

The GOAT Part 9: Worry

A few years ago, my son started describing me as a “stressy” person. He’s always had a knack for making observations that are both funny and piercingly accurate. It’s true: I’m prone to worry and I like being in control. Ironically, I’ve written twenty-seven blogs about anxiety and fourteen about fear in the last several years. So, it’s not like I haven’t studied this topic in the Bible—I just have a hard time applying it to my daily life. Does anyone else relate?

As we continue our journey through Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, I was treading a familiar path when I came to this portion:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 3If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:25-34, NIV)

This passage reassures and reminds us that we don’t need to worry because the Lord will meet all our needs. That said, it’s challenging to live like we believe it’s true. So, when I discovered a sermon by pastor John Mark Comer called “Becoming a Non-Anxious Presence,” I wanted to share his practical, biblical wisdom with you.

Comer examines five key practices that create a sense of peace within us that affects those around us. After reading all five, consider exploring them further by clicking the links on each topic.

1. Slowing: Jesus’ pace of life was unhurried. He allowed plenty of margin for interruptions and used them as opportunities to bless and minister to others. The frantic pace of our lives is a significant factor contributing to our high levels of anxiety today. If packing your schedule and rushing from one thing to the next is your normal way of functioning, this may be making you anxious and creating a ripple effect on those around you. To read more on this topic, check out this post on the benefits of slowing down: Frenzy is Not Your Friend 

2. Sabbath Rest: Jesus had a regular rhythm of retreating from people to pray and rest and then returning to connect and serve. Luke’s gospel tells us He often withdrew to lonely places to be rejuvenated spending time with His Father (Luke 5:16). Comer explains that how well we rest determines how well we work. Taking time to stop, reconnect with the Father, and re-charge our souls is crucial for keeping anxiety at bay. To learn more about the importance of Sabbath rest, check out my blog “Under-Sabbathed.” 

3. Koininia: This Greek word describes a relational bond between people who are kindred spirits. It’s fellowship and community centered around pursuing Jesus together. We need deep, honest, authentic friendships rooted in Christ. Making time regularly to study God’s Word, pray, serve, and share life with others is an important element for maintaining a sense of peace and well-being. To read more about the importance of koininia, check out my post “Knit Together.”

4. Contemplative Prayer: Resting in the Father’s love and relaxing into His goodness help us to realign with what really matters. Prayer is about experiencing the presence of God. Going beyond learning about Him or hearing others talk about Him, it connects us to Him personally. Time with the Lord also grounds us so we become less overwhelmed, less reactive, and more thoughtful when we jump back into the fray. We engage people and situations with a different perspective after spending time in prayer. Want to learn more? Check out my post “Why Prayer Matters.” 

5. Indifference/ Freedom: There’s little in this life we can truly control. (Sorry, I know that isn’t a fun reminder.)  When we yield to God and trust Him with our lives, we experience the freedom to stop trying to force people and events to meet our expectations. Following Jesus and seeking Him first allows us to discover joy and peace that aren’t dependent upon circumstances going according to plan. We become indifferent to the outcomes of situations not because we don’t care, but because we know God is sovereign and trustworthy. This doesn’t guarantee a perfect or easy life, but it reassures us of the Lord’s presence and reminds us that He works all things for good according to His purposes, not ours (John 16:33 and Romans 8:28). Want to learn more? Check out my post “Stopping the Spiral of Anxiety.” 

I wish I could say I’ve mastered the art of being a non-anxious presence, but I’m a work in progress. Two of the five practices come easily for me. The others are a challenge. What about you? Will you join me in asking the Lord to help you grow where you need it? We may never achieve it fully on this side of heaven, but every day is another chance to ask the Holy Spirit to help us move forward on the journey of corralling our anxious thoughts and trusting Jesus instead.

Comer points out that when fear and anxiety are running our lives, love is repressed. Not being anxious improves our sense of well-being and allows us to express God’s love and grace to others more freely. And isn’t that what our world desperately needs right now?

The key to beating worry is seeking God’s kingdom first. Let Lauren Daigle’s song “First” reinforce this powerful truth. Click here to watch.

Content for this post came from John Mark Comer’s sermon “Becoming a Non-Anxious Presence.” Click here to watch.

You may also want to check out John Mark Comer’s fantastic book: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry.

Post inspired by the GOAT sermon series at CPC Danville. www.cpcdanville.org.

Why Prayer Matters

What is the purpose of prayer? I know, that’s a big question with a lot of different answers. Many of us see it as a way to ask God for what we want or need: healing for a loved one, a solution to a big problem, or a positive outcome for a challenging circumstance. So, when we get what the desired result, we say our prayers “worked” and that God is good. The challenge comes when God keeps us waiting or gives us a different answer–which can lead us to become confused, angry, or disillusioned. 

Megan Fate Marshman offers a different perspective on prayer. She describes it as “connecting with the one who loves you most.” (page 79) I agree with her– prayer isn’t only about asking God for what we want but about cultivating a relationship with Him. This is also what Jeremiah describes when he writes from God’s perspective saying: “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13, NIV)

Prayer is so much more than just a tool for making requests of God or a last resort when we’ve run out of all other options. Over the years, I’ve discovered many truths about it through consistent practice and study. It’s changed me and caused my faith in God to grow deeper and wider.  Prayer is more powerful than most of us realize. Today I’ll share just three of the many reasons why:

Prayer Invites God Into our Circumstances: Psalm 139 tells us that God perceives our thoughts and knows what we’re going to say before we speak. Some would argue that there’s no reason to talk to the Lord since He already knows everything about us. However, the purpose of prayer isn’t to inform God of our circumstances; it’s to invite Him into them. Prayer opens the lines of communication between God and you, just as you talk regularly with people you love. It gives the Lord permission to speak into our lives and to share His wisdom. Often, prayer changes our hearts more than it changes our circumstances. 

That’s exactly what we see at the end of Psalm 139 when David says: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV)

Prayer is the Healthiest Way to Manage Fear and Worry: Anxiety is on the rise in our culture. Many of us feel a constant undercurrent of fear and worry at all times. We try to control our surroundings, our circumstances, our plans, and our relationships as a way to stave off those panicky feelings. Our minds churn over worst-case scenarios and “what-ifs” that fill us with dread. The irony is, all the time we spend worrying and fretting does nothing to change our circumstances. It wastes our energy, overwhelms our thoughts, and steals our joy–preventing us from living life to the fullest. In contrast, taking all that angst and laying it before God frees us to trust Him and to expend mental energy in more meaningful and productive ways. No one says it better than the Apostle Paul:

“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.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:6-9, NIV)

Prayer Lets Us Take Action When We Feel Powerless: When circumstances unfold the way we want or expect, we have the illusion that we’re in control, which makes us feel powerful. But here’s the harsh truth: There are few things we can actually control beyond our reactions. When we realize this and accept our humble position, we give God more opportunity to work in our lives. As we recognize that only the Lord is sovereign and in control, we can trust His power.

One of my favorite examples of this is the prayer of a lesser-known king in the Bible named Jehoshaphat. When he learns that three enemy armies have combined forces to invade Israel, he gathers his people and prays humbly before the Lord: 

“Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12, NIV)

Isn’t it amazing that the most powerful man in Israel admitted that he didn’t know what to do in front of all his subjects? The Lord answered Jehoshaphat’s prayers by delivering their nation from enemy attack. Through miraculous circumstances, they faced their opponents and experienced victory without spilling a drop of Israelite blood.

How freeing it is to accept our frailty and weakness and to recognize humbly that we have no power on our own. Acknowledging we don’t have control and looking to God to rescue us gives us access to true power from the One who loves us most of all.

Truth be told, I have so many thoughts about prayer that it was hard to write so little in this post. In fact, I’ve spent the last year studying and writing about it. So, if this is a practice you’d like to explore further, I’d be honored to have you consider my new Bible study Extraordinary Prayer: Using God’s Word to Expand Your Prayer Life. (The story of Jehoshaphat is just one of the many you’ll discover in it.) You can find it on my website under the “Book Table” tab or on Amazon.

Phil Wickham’s “Battle Belongs” is an incredible song filled with Scripture that reveals the power we have through prayer. Listen and celebrate this incredible truth today.

Megan Fate Marshman, Meant for Good: The Adventure of Trusting God and His Plans for You, Zondervan, 2020.

Christmas Can’t Be Stolen

The high-pitched sound was impossible to ignore. Perplexed, I picked up my phone to silence it and saw an alert flashing on my screen. My heart sank reading the news–our county was being required to shelter in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. It’s feeling like March 2020 all over again, but this time we’re in the Christmas season. The virus continues to make us hold our plans loosely and to find new ways to connect with others and do our jobs. As the list of restrictions and limitations grows longer, it’s starting to feel like we could re-name Dr. Seuss’ classic book How the Pandemic Stole Christmas. The situation feels frustrating and out of our control. However, we still have a choice in how we respond.

That’s what came to mind as I read Kelly Minter’s commentary on the story of Joseph. The false accusations that landed him in prison probably left him feeling frustrated and out of control too. But in Genesis 41, we read about a stunning reversal as Joseph is set free from prison and placed second in command over all of Egypt. Thanks to his interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams and his wise stewardship during seven years of plenty, the Egyptians remain well-fed and prosperous as famine ravages the land. 

In Genesis 42 we see the famine also affects surrounding nations when Joseph’s brothers arrive from Canaan in hopes of buying grain. They appear before Joseph to make their request and he recognizes them immediately. The brothers, however, have no idea it’s him. In describing Joseph’s initial encounter with his brothers, Kelly Minter observes: “Even though [the brothers] had been living in the promised land of Canaan, their hearts don’t appear to have softened much, despite them having access to the God of their fathers. On the other hand, though Joseph had been living outside the land, he’d been dwelling in the presence of God.” (p. 84) Kelly emphasizes here that what matters most is how we respond to our circumstances and engage with God through them.

She continues, “You may be waiting for a difficult circumstance to change, but with Jesus in that place with you, the greater miracle is that you can be changed…Our physical location doesn’t determine our redemption story; He is our redemption story. So although some circumstances remain unchanging, our God remains too. The gift of Himself is the fulfillment of the promise. As we dwell in His presence, we experience life change whether we’re in Egypt [where we don’t want to be] or Canaan [where we do want to be.] Forgiveness, hope, redemption, and reconciliation can and will occur because He is with us. Circumstances do not achieve this. He does.” (p. 84-85)

So, what does this have to do with sheltering in place in 2020? Everything. So much of what we value and rely on has been stripped away from us. Favorite traditions and gatherings with friends and family probably won’t happen this year. Many people are isolated, depressed, anxious, and struggling financially. But here’s one thing that no shelter in place order can take away: God’s presence. This is at the heart of the Christmas season, “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means ‘God with us’).” (Matthew 1:23, italics added.)

If you’re struggling to feel God’s presence during this seemingly unending season of difficulty, let the Lord’s words be an invitation to you this Christmas: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13, NIV) Use the extra time at home to cultivate a deeper relationship with the Lord. In the absence of the usual stress and bustle of the Christmas season, embrace the opportunity to focus on the real meaning of all our celebrating.

The Grinch failed to steal joy from the residents of Whoville; COVID can’t steal it from us this Christmas either. Yes, it’s going to look a bit different this year. But what matters most remains as true today as it did in Bethlehem long ago: God became flesh and dwelt among us. He’s with us and that’s a hope we can cling to regardless of our circumstances.

Let Matthew West’s song “The Hope of Christmas” lead you to the heart of this season. 

Kelly Minter, Finding God Faithful: A Study of the Life of Joseph, Lifeway Press 2019.

Artwork courtesy of How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss, Random House, 1957.

Finding Your Blind Spots

Driving down the freeway, I put on my blinker and glanced into the sideview mirror before changing lanes. To my surprise the steering wheel began vibrating as a small warning signal illuminated on the mirror. Looking over my shoulder, I noticed a truck speeding up beside me. The cameras on my car had alerted me to the potential collision before I even realized what was happening.

Unfortunately, it’s not just on the road that our view may be obstructed. We can also have significant blind spots when looking at others. However, Christine Caine explains: “If we are to reach our world, then we need to see that everyone is our neighbor. Every person is worthy of love regardless of their beliefs, actions, or attitudes, because God sees them as lovable and redeemable by His grace. They are all people made in His image.” (20/20, p. 101)

There’s no denying that our nation is more divided than ever right now. People seem prone to drawing lines, taking sides, and allowing events and issues to become polarizing and contentious. Those with opposing views make little effort to seek common ground. Extremism, bitterness, hatred, and anger are running rampant in our country—and the effects may be more harmful and lasting than the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of us feel helpless and hopeless trying to navigate this tense season.

However, we’re showing a major blind spot when we dwell on negative feelings towards people with opposing views. Instead of seeking God, we’re letting our emotions take the lead. Here’s a question to consider: How often do we include those we dislike and disagree with in our prayers? Let’s look at Jesus’ teaching on this challenging topic:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48, NIV)

Recently I came across a powerful example of this in one of my favorite books: The Hiding Place. Author Corrie Ten Boom tells the story of her family as they risked their lives to help Jews and underground workers escape from the Nazis in Holland during World War II. One night, Corrie and her sister, Betsie, are awakened by the sound of bombs dropping on their city. Corrie writes, “Betsie and I knelt down by the piano bench. For what seemed hours we prayed for our country, for the dead and injured tonight, for the Queen. And then, incredibly, Betsie began to pray for the Germans, up there in the planes, caught in the fist of the giant evil loose in Germany. I looked at my sister kneeling beside me in the light of burning Holland. ‘Oh Lord,’ I whispered, ‘listen to Betsie, not me, because I cannot pray for those men at all.” (p. 79) Corrie recognizes her own significant blind spot as she witnesses her sister’s zeal to pray for their enemies.

Scripture includes a similar story of the first Christian martyr, Stephen. After giving an impassioned speech proclaiming Jesus as the Messiah, the crowd of indignant Jews reacted to him with murderous rage: “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’  Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:59-60, NIV)

With his dying breath, Stephen prayed for his executioners. During his stoning ”witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul.” (Acts 7:58b, NIV) In a stunning turn of events, just a few chapters later in Acts 9, Jesus appeared in a vision and Saul accepted Him as the Messiah. Following his shocking conversion “[Saul] got up and was baptized [and] at once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, ‘Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?’ Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.” (Excerpts from Acts 9:18-22, NIV.) Remember, it was Stephen who prayed for his murderers, which included Saul. Isn’t it amazing to see this miraculous answer occur in such a brief time span?

Stephen’s prayers for his attackers inspire me, as do Betsie Ten Boom’s. They also challenge me to consider my blind spots in prayer. News headlines that make me anxious, leaders that cause my blood to boil, groups with harsh and hateful messages that stir up fear in me—these are all people God loves who need prayer. 

Will you consider your own blind spots? Whether it’s someone you know personally or only through the media, will you let the Holy Spirit prompt you to pray for them? Remember, people with opposing views aren’t our true enemies, the devil is. Don’t be deceived into withholding love and prayer from those who need it.

Not sure how to intercede for them? Consider starting with this prayer written by Paul (the same man who had previously been called Saul): “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” (Philippians 1:9-11, NIV)

Let Josh Wilson’s song “Revolutionary” motivate you to find your blind spots today.

Christine Caine, 20/20 Seen. Chosen. Sent., Lifeway Press, 2019.

Corrie Ten Boom (with Elizabeth and John Sherrill), The Hiding Place, Chosen Books/ Baker Publishing Group, 1971 & 1984.

Stopping the Spiral of Anxiety

Hanging up the phone, I took a deep breath and told myself not to overreact. My son in college had just proposed his spring break plans and was looking for our blessing. We loved that he wanted to travel to South America on a mission trip. What didn’t excite my husband and me was the location—a country that is notorious for poverty, crime, and drug cartels. Not wanting to squelch his enthusiasm, we agreed to pray about it. 

Before making the final decision, a thousand “what if” scenarios played out in our minds: What if the plane crashes? What if he’s mugged or robbed? What if he gets sick while he’s gone? What if he’s kidnapped and held for ransom? But each time we prayed, we remembered that God was sovereign, no matter what happened. Ultimately, we chose to trust the Lord and affirmed our son’s decision to go.

As the departure date drew near, the COVID-19 pandemic began spreading across the globe. Our son boarded a plane with his team and flew to South America just as the first coronavirus case was being reported there. Meanwhile back at home, the pandemic was already closing down schools, businesses, and churches. It seemed impossible not to be affected by the tension all around us.

We continued to fight anxious thoughts by entrusting our son’s wellbeing to the Lord. The texts we received from him during the trip comforted us. Our son even thanked us for not “freaking out” like some of the other students’ parents. We breathed a sigh of relief when he touched down on United States soil a week later and thanked God for protecting him and keeping us calm. The next day we had to stop ourselves from asking another series of “What if” questions when he decided to ride out spring semester on campus, in spite of the pandemic.

I’d love to say those situations were unique, but if I’m honest, I can always find a reason to be anxious. Maybe you can too. Jennie Allen says, “We keep finding new concerns to worry about and new facets to each concern, as if by constant stewing we can prepare ourselves for what’s to come. But there is a God who will give us what we need today, next week, and twenty years from now, even if our very worst nightmares come true…The enemy wants to tell us that we cannot trust God to take care of our tomorrows. But the truth is, God is in control of each and every day.” 

Maybe, like me, trusting God isn’t your first reflex. It takes time and intentional effort to retrain our minds to put Paul’s words into practice: “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. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Phil 4:6-8, NIV)

Many of us don’t focus enough on what’s true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. We’ve unintentionally trained our minds to default to anxious thoughts. Every situation presents a fresh opportunity for worry as we envision worst-case scenarios or imagine how our plans may go awry. Often this happens because we fret about the future instead of enjoying the present. Instead, we need to fight anxious thoughts by reminding ourselves of what’s true, just as Paul advises in Philippians. Here are a few biblical truths you can lean on:

  • God is good and working for our good (Romans 8:28)
  • God is for us (Romans 8:31)
  • God loves us and lives in us (1 John 4:15-16)
  • God knows what we need and provides for us (Matthew 6:32-33)

Try using this strategy Jennie Allen suggests next time you’re struggling:

Grab your anxious thought. Write it down and be as specific as possible (like my list of “what if” scenarios for my son’s mission trip).

Diagnose the thought. Ask yourself if it’s true. Look for answers in Scripture and/or ask a wise friend to help you figure it out.

Take it to God. Pray about what’s making you anxious and see how the Lord speaks to you. Take note of how the Holy Spirit may be answering you through Christian songs, Scripture, devotionals, Bible studies, sermons, blogs, and godly friends.

Make a choice. Are you going to believe God or stay stuck in your negative and anxious thought pattern? Remember, it takes intentional effort to re-route your thinking in a healthier direction.

In her devotional Jesus Calling, Sarah Young says, “Learn a new habit. Try saying ‘I trust You, Jesus,’ in response to whatever happens to you.” She explains how this practice can become a reflex that helps you to see the Lord in every situation and to acknowledge His sovereignty and control over all things. As you trust, you’ll begin to recognize how the Lord uses hard circumstances for growth opportunities.

Paul’s words in Romans provide a fitting blessing to close my final post in this series: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NIV)

Often anxiety springs from fretting about the future and overlooking how God is at work in the present. Let Jeremy Camp’s song “Keep Me in the Moment” help you remember to trust the Lord now and to believe that He’s sovereign over whatever the future holds.

Jennie Allen, Get Out of Your Head: A Study in Philippians, Thomas Nelson Press, 2020 , pages 135 & 140.

Sarah Young, Jesus Calling: Knowing Peace in His Presence, Thomas Nelson Press, 2004, January 4 entry.