Here we will learn to find the strength to stand firm and cultivate a daily reliance on God’s unwavering presence and peace. Life can be tough, but God gives us the tools to live in His peace.
When Worry Wakes You Up: Choosing God’s Peace Over Chaos
Sometimes I wake up and before my feet even hit the ground, I immediately begin to create a mental to-do list. My mind, working at top speed after a night of not much sleep. This written collection of shortened sentences feels like a long list of problems waiting for solutions that I simply need to figure out.
As a wife, mom, and woman juggling many responsibilities, how is it that I often wake up already mentally preparing for the challenges I know are ahead?
- How are we going to pay for our neighbor’s roof after that tree accident?
- What’s for dinner, and how can I manage a family sit-down dinner when we’re running in different directions?
- How do I show up for my family, my work, and my faith all in the same 24 hours?
So many problems, not enough time, and many solutions to ruminate. It is a constant cycle.
You and I both know life isn’t a straight path—it’s a rollercoaster of “what ifs,” and “must dos.” It is full of on-the-spot troubleshooting. I repeatedly tell myself I need to get ahead of my list before it becomes a serious problem. This is why I do so much prep work at three in the morning. My justification! My mind is full of worry, even before there is any need for concern.
Let me ask you this;
How do we prioritize receiving God’s peace instead of leaning into our worries?
I’ve learned it isn’t preparing for the day well in advance or overthinking my decisions. But what we tend to do, rather than seeking God’s peace, we frequently fill our spirits with the things we set as our priorities. Because, let’s face it, they are priorities. Each and every thought – A PRIORITY!!!
Then we begin to listen to our thoughts and the world’s opinions on how to solve our problems. Because when help is needed, we intently listen. And there are many ideas about what works and what doesn’t. Social media and internet searches influence weight down our minds. As a result, we spiral into a continuous cycle of feeling unsettled.
-Am I making the right choice?
-What happens if this plan does go correctly?
-How am I going to make it to my goal?
But God gives us a better, more reliable choice
Even in the midst of my racing thoughts, there has been one truth that has always anchored me: God’s promises never change. They never do! Though my decisions change and they can happen at a moment’s notice. God’s foundation is firm, never wavering. He never changes. (He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.)
Romans 8:6 reminds us that – The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
God’s peace. Here is the lesson I am leaning into this year. We don’t need what we think we need – the constant battle to create the right balance in our lives. God loves us so much that He removes the complications and makes it simple for us. Seek Him first.
As a good Father, He allows us to come to Him openly. He gives us that choice. We can sit and pray with God, or we can skip our appointment entirely. When we decide that we don’t have time for God and we must start our day because we have stuff to do, we open the door to confusion and spiritual disconnection.
Trust begins when our need to control ends
When we take control, it is like saying to God, we are self-reliant and know what is best. But do we really? Are we above God?
The world tells us that perseverance and determination are how we will conquer our days. Keeping up with this type of thinking will lead to burnout and a circling of our thoughts that makes us question our decisions.
Here is the choice God gives us: we can stay and remain in a loop of negativity, or we can take captive our thoughts and move forward with the Lord, acquiring His peace. How do we do this? The Bible tells us exactly how.
Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, The weapons we fight are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary. They have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
How to take our thoughts captive
First, we must believe that if God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31. Claim this promise over your life. We are enough in Christ. You ARE ENOUGH!!
Second, we must remember we can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us. Philippians 4:13. Often, we are the ones who don’t believe in ourselves. We can be our own roadblocks by remaining and dwelling in our thought processes.
Lastly, greater is He that lives within us than He who lives in this world. 1 John 4:4. Satan wants nothing more than for us to put our list of to-dos first. He wants us to see the doubt, confusion, and worry. Remember, do not confuse your situation with your significance.
In Christ, we are worthy.
In Christ, we will find peace.
In Christ, we are lavishly loved.
Remember, if your day feels like a mess of problems to be solved, take heart. Christ’s promises are your steady ground. He is your help, your hope, your peace—and He’s already written the end of the story. Reach out to God and take heart in His never-ending promises.
Let’s Pray Together
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank you for dying on the cross for us. Help us in realizing the significance of your sacrifice. In you, we are more than enough. We are worthy of every hardship and trial we face. We are worthy of every lesson that deepens our faith. In you, we find everything we need. Help us to recognize and renew our minds in you. Sure, it is easier to allow our minds to have full control over our thoughts, but Lord, we want to faithfully follow you. Give us guidance, wisdom, and direction.
In this, we ask in your precious name, Jesus. Amen!
Read more on Jen Schreiner
Letting Go of Control: How Trusting God Rewrites Our Life Goals
Taking One Giant Step Forward In Faith
When you are going through a valley in life – God’s Promises
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