Have you ever noticed that when anxiety comes on, it’s oftentimes a fearful thought you can’t seem to get out of your head? You wrestle with this thought, this problem you’re having, or the anticipation of a problem—not knowing what might happen next. As if thinking about it long and hard enough will help you gain control over your situation. And, oftentimes, it isn’t just one thing you’re thinking about, but a whole slew of problems or potential problems that you are wrestling through. They things can easily overwhelm our minds if we let them.

While, God does promise, in this world we will have trouble. He doesn’t say we have to deal with it all on our own. You may have noticed, the more time you spend thinking about what has got you worried, trying to figure it out all in your own head, usually the more anxious you become.

Here’s an example from the Bible of what I’m talking about. In Matthew chapter 14, we read the story of when the disciples went out on a boat into the middle of a lake. This time, Jesus was not with them on the boat. The wind had picked up, and the waves were starting to knock the boat around, making the disciples feel uneasy. The text actually says the wind was opposing them. Just before dawn, it says Jesus went out to them walking on the water. When they saw Jesus, they were afraid. They thought they were seeing a ghost. Peter, bravely said, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come!” So Peter got out of the boat, and began walking on water toward Jesus. As long as Peter had his gaze fixed on Jesus, he was not afraid. But, when he looked around him and saw the wind, the things that were opposing him, he became afraid and began to sink. He cried out to Jesus to save him. Jesus asked him, Why did you doubt?

I see several things happening here. First, the disciples grew uneasy when they saw the wind, and could not see Jesus. This is where our faith comes in. Even when we can’t see God, it doesn’t mean He isn’t with us. You may be facing a lot of opposition in your own life. I know for me, during this season of COVID, I’ve been dealing with one thing after the next. I am dealing with chronic health obstacles that have become severe enough to end my teaching career in the last year. My husband and I both ended up with COVID, my husband is a police officer, facing all kinds of challenges right now in his line of work. We had a roof leak, that caused a mold problem that put me out of my house for two and a half weeks. My son was just in the hospital. He had an allergic reaction to something he ate. He has life threatening food allergies. Our refrigerator/freezer went out, and we had to quick move all our food out and get it repaired. Like every other parent out there right now, we are distance learning. Not to mention all the little things that just build up. All the bad news we see on t.v. and in social media. The business shut-downs, and churches closing, etc. Literally, the list just goes on.

We are all in a season of facing the wind and the waves, but Jesus has not called us to shrink back. He is calling us out of the boat, to walk with Him in faith. To keep our eyes fixed on Him, not on all the distractions and opposition. He calls us to do things that are scary, or intimidating, so that we can be a light in the darkness for the kingdom of God. We can do this because God promises He will always be with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us.

When Peter went out to meet Jesus on the water, he only began to sink when he focused his attention on the waves. Are you focusing on the news, your social media feed, and other things causing you anxiety? Stop paying attention to those things that will only make anxiety and fear worse. Focus on Jesus, instead. Spend more time in prayer, reading His word, in praise and worship, and in relationships with those who will encourage your faith walk. These are the things that will reduce anxiety and fear, and leave you feeling at peace.

The Bible tells us in Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you” (NLT).

When we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, rather than the fear we’re facing, we will experience His peace. You don’t have to have all the answers to what the future holds. You only need to do what is right before you today. What God has called you to. Even if you don’t yet know how it is all going to work out. Put your faith and trust in Him. Do not doubt! Believe that God is Good, and He is going to work everything together for your good. Persevere in your faith, keep forging ahead, stay in the Word, keep worshipping God, keep praising Him—and the God of all grace who has called you to His eternal glory, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you. He will make you strong, firm, and steadfast.

God bless you!