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
I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Something felt unsettling. While preparing for an extended trip that would span several weeks, I couldn't shake the anxiety. With so many things to do even before I began packing, it was difficult to distinguish the stress of having too much to do from the anxiety about the actual trip. Having traveled many times, particularly in the last several years, I was surprised this pervasive emotion seemed to spread like a sickness through my mind and body.
About a week before my trip, a close friend asked me if I was OK. She was concerned that I wasn't my usual self. In that moment, I realized how much anxiety and stress controlled my mind, my attitude, and my countenance.
As the trip grew closer, I asked several friends and family members to pray for me. Even the morning of my departure, I claimed the key verse for today. Praying against anxious thoughts and praying for God's peace helped calm my heart. Knowing others were praying for me gave me courage.
I remembered God's faithfulness in the past. I thought back to other travels where I knew God was with me wherever I went. I knew in my head that He would be with me again. But my heart still needed convincing.
As I stood outside my home with suitcases in tow waiting for my Uber ride, I realized God had already shown up. I had woken up 32 minutes before my alarm. God's timing is perfect. Without those extra minutes, I would have been frantic trying to get ready on time. Instead I had a few minutes to spare, a few minutes to relax and reflect.
Moments later as I chatted with the Uber driver, he asked me the reason for my travel. I responded that I am an inspirational writer and travel photographer. When I shared I am the author of a couple of books and also numerous blogs, he asked for the website name. As I handed him my business card, he handed me his. God had shown up again! The Uber driver was also a pastor. I felt like God was sitting in the driver's seat. Obviously, He wasn’t but again I was reminded of His presence.
As I contemplated my conversation with the kind Uber driver, I knew God was with me. Before I left my neighborhood, God was already vying for my attention to let me know He was with me and would be with me wherever I would go. I realized anxious thoughts have no place in a mind filled with God's peace and presence.
No matter where you are in your own journey, God is with you and will go with you wherever you go. Give your anxious thoughts up to Him in prayer. Fill your mind with verses like today’s key verse. Go forward in His peace and presence.
Lord, help me turn to You first when I feel anxious and overwhelmed. May I give my requests to You with thanksgiving, remembering Your faithfulness in the past. Fill my mind with Your Word to overcome my anxious thoughts. Help me live fully in the present and step into the future with my heart and my head filled with Your peace. Amen.
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Text and photograph copyright © 2018 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of the Dordogne River at La Roque-Gageac in southwestern France.
Note: Anxiety disorders are common in our culture. Prayer is a powerful tool to use against anxious thoughts. For pervasive anxiety, praying for the right therapeutic solution is appropriate. Sometimes therapy and/or medication are necessary to work in tandem with prayer.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Something felt unsettling. While preparing for an extended trip that would span several weeks, I couldn't shake the anxiety. With so many things to do even before I began packing, it was difficult to distinguish the stress of having too much to do from the anxiety about the actual trip. Having traveled many times, particularly in the last several years, I was surprised this pervasive emotion seemed to spread like a sickness through my mind and body.
About a week before my trip, a close friend asked me if I was OK. She was concerned that I wasn't my usual self. In that moment, I realized how much anxiety and stress controlled my mind, my attitude, and my countenance.
As the trip grew closer, I asked several friends and family members to pray for me. Even the morning of my departure, I claimed the key verse for today. Praying against anxious thoughts and praying for God's peace helped calm my heart. Knowing others were praying for me gave me courage.
I remembered God's faithfulness in the past. I thought back to other travels where I knew God was with me wherever I went. I knew in my head that He would be with me again. But my heart still needed convincing.
As I stood outside my home with suitcases in tow waiting for my Uber ride, I realized God had already shown up. I had woken up 32 minutes before my alarm. God's timing is perfect. Without those extra minutes, I would have been frantic trying to get ready on time. Instead I had a few minutes to spare, a few minutes to relax and reflect.
Moments later as I chatted with the Uber driver, he asked me the reason for my travel. I responded that I am an inspirational writer and travel photographer. When I shared I am the author of a couple of books and also numerous blogs, he asked for the website name. As I handed him my business card, he handed me his. God had shown up again! The Uber driver was also a pastor. I felt like God was sitting in the driver's seat. Obviously, He wasn’t but again I was reminded of His presence.
As I contemplated my conversation with the kind Uber driver, I knew God was with me. Before I left my neighborhood, God was already vying for my attention to let me know He was with me and would be with me wherever I would go. I realized anxious thoughts have no place in a mind filled with God's peace and presence.
No matter where you are in your own journey, God is with you and will go with you wherever you go. Give your anxious thoughts up to Him in prayer. Fill your mind with verses like today’s key verse. Go forward in His peace and presence.
Lord, help me turn to You first when I feel anxious and overwhelmed. May I give my requests to You with thanksgiving, remembering Your faithfulness in the past. Fill my mind with Your Word to overcome my anxious thoughts. Help me live fully in the present and step into the future with my heart and my head filled with Your peace. Amen.
Want to subscribe to future posts? Click here.
Text and photograph copyright © 2018 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of the Dordogne River at La Roque-Gageac in southwestern France.
Note: Anxiety disorders are common in our culture. Prayer is a powerful tool to use against anxious thoughts. For pervasive anxiety, praying for the right therapeutic solution is appropriate. Sometimes therapy and/or medication are necessary to work in tandem with prayer.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
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