Do you have truth sayers in your life?  The irony is that I want them in my life but I’m not always accepting of when the truth comes.

Today I’m told by one of them, “Anxiety is ruling your life.”  Of course, my immediate response was to dismiss these words. Yet, after letting them sink in, I wanted to dig deeper.

What is anxiety?  Fear.  But fear of what?  As Webster defines anxiety as “(1) fear or nervousness about what might happen; (2) an abnormal and overwhelming sense of…fear often marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one’s capacity to cope with it.”  So in other words, fear of…anything.

What does anxiety look like in my life?  As I further self-examine this trait in my life, I notice it has emerged more clearly since moving here.  What I was once used to–convenience, stability, comfort, predictability–has all gone.  So here, whether I’ve recognized it before today or not, anxiety has reared its ugly head anytime I sense a lack of control.  Pretty much daily.  It may not show with signs of sweat or an increased pulse but it can often come as Webster stated, through doubt of a situation or self-doubt.

What is the opposite of anxiety?  Peace.  Something I want more of but know I weakly demonstrate it.  Yet another reason to doubt.  Yet, there is hope.  The Bible addresses anxiety throughout the Old and New Testament.

Psalm 34:4  “I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all of my fears.”

Psalm 56:3  “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

Isaiah 41:10  “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Luke 12:25  “And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”

John 14:27  “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Where does anxiety come from?  Fear that I cannot control a situation.  In anxiety, my hope and trust is in me alone.

Where does peace come from?  When my hope is in Christ alone.  No one else.

Proverbs 12:25 “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”  May the good Word encourage you today to choose to walk in peace!