While God calls us every single day to not be afraid, to simply trust Him in everything can be difficult. The Christian life is a constant battle between fear and trust; anxiety and trust, and doubt and confidence. Worrying can be harmful not only to our emotional health, but also to our physical health. Excessive worrying can lead to depression and can even cause us to become physically ill. When we worry, we get so lost in what “might” happen that we lose sight of our peace and happiness, and can no longer find our inner calm. If you are a chronic worry, there is hope. One of the best ways to overcome worry and anxiety is to remind yourself of the unshakable promises we have in God’s Word. When circumstances show up that have the ability to break us down, we can turn to these incredible truths. Here are six unshakeable promises for anxious souls.
God is With Us Wherever We Go
Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” There are three times in Joshua 1 that God tells Joshua to be strong and to be courageous because he’ll need to be ready for what’s coming later. God also commands that he not be frightened or dismayed and for one reason only; “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” If you are going into a particularly unsettling situation and your soul is anxious, have comfort in the fact that God is with you wherever you go.
God Upholds Us With His Righteous Hand
Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Sometimes, we can read certain verses from Scripture a hundred times and fail to take them to heart the way the Lord wants us to. Other times, we can linger on a verse or two, and let them minister life, healing and comfort to us. Isaiah 41:10 is so rich with the promises of God that it warrants special attention from us. Ultimately, the Lord wants to impart to us through this verse that we shouldn’t be afraid. “Fear not [there is nothing to fear].” One reason why God warns us against fear is that it can short-circuit the answered prayers and blessings that He has in store for us. When you are anxious, hold onto the promise that God is upholding you in His righteous hand.
God is Our Refuge and Strength
Psalm 46:1 reminds us that, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” By definition, a refuge is a safe place. When the Bible describes God as our refuge, it is saying that God is our safe place when we need protection from something. Knowing God is our refuge enables us to trust Him more freely. We need not fear situations or people who threaten our well-being, whether in a physical or spiritual sense. There is no situation we will ever face that is out of God’s control, so the best place to be when your soul is anxious, always, is right with Him.
The Peace of God Transcends All Understanding
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “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.” This is a wonderful promise. The believer who places his or her full confidence in a loving God and is thankful in every circumstance will possess a supernatural peace. An inner calm will dominate the heart. The faithful believer will know peace – his heart and mind are guarded by it. No one, especially those outside of Christ, will be able to fathom that peace. The most, it will remain a mystery how someone can be so serene in the midst of turmoil. When your soul is anxious, hold onto the promise that God’s supernatural peace surpasses all natural understanding.
God Takes Care of the Big Stuff and the Little Stuff
Luke 12:22-26 says, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?” What is so great about these verses is that it reminds us that we shouldn’t worry because God will take care of the big stuff and the little stuff. Worrying doesn’t change things, big or small, except to make those problems appear worse than they really are. Don’t get hung up on the big things. Cast your cares on God and then trust in His wisdom.
The Lord is the Stronghold of Our Lives
Psalm 27:1 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” Like many psalms, King David wrote this from a season of trouble. Yet, it is a song of confidence and triumph because David was not in darkness or ultimate peril because the Lord was his light and salvation. God Himself brought light to David’s life. He did not despair in darkness and all that it represented. His life was filled with the Lord, and his life was filled with the light. The same can be applied to our lives. When your soul is anxious, remember that the Lord is the stronghold of your life. Only when we you recognize this can you truly be filled with light.
Anxiety and fear are relentless. These are two of the enemy’s most popular weapons that he uses against us. But when you trust in God in all circumstances, your soul can find rest. Cast your anxieties on the Lord and do not be anxious about anything for God is with you.
