ABIDE: in His Peace

Anxiety is real. 

So is Jesus. 

As a Christian, it can feel frustrating at times to say “I am anxious.”

Because we know the truth. We know what 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.”

We know that Jesus even says in Matthew that He cares for the sparrows. 

Birds. 

Yes, birds.

So why do I worry? Why do we worry? Spoiler…we are human and that isn’t surprising to God.

It was always hard to fathom that God still loves me in my anxieties because it felt as if I was doubting him. And there have been times I have abided in the things that are temporary. 

Doomscrolling on instagram. 

Binge watching that tv series I have watched again and again.

And honestly, food. These are things that give ME control. 

Maybe you’re in that season of a lot of unknowns. I know I am. Unknowns of my future that it would seem to make life “easier” if I had the answers. 

However at times my response can be one where I choose control or what God has been teaching me time and time again, to release control and abide in Him. 

John 15:9-11 says,

 ^“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

When we abide in Jesus, it is not always going to take the anxiety or the worry away, but it gives us hope and a firm foundation in Him. 

You may not have all the answers right now. You may not know what tomorrow will bring. You may be running to things that are only going to temporarily fill a void that only Jesus can fill. 

Apart from Him, when we choose to abide by temporal things like (you fill in your blank) it can feel like you’re stuck. Life being drained and hope can become hopeless. 

Jesus tells us to come to Him. And sometimes even how simple that is can feel so complicated cause we have been abiding in everything else but Him. 

I say this ‘cause this is for me too. 

This is a cry from a sister in Christ to the brother or sister that in the thick of the storm: Jesus has not left you. 

Jesus is with you. 

Jesus will provide for you.

Jesus is your perfect peace. 

Jesus will take care of you. 

Jesus is proud of you. 

Don’t run from Him. 

Abide in Him.

Declare truth over yourself when the enemy tries to shoot as many arrows as he can. You have Jesus, the perfector of your faith, protecting you. 

Jesus, when anxiety rises you can stand on truth and declare over yourself “AND THE PEACE OF God which surpasses all understanding will protect in me in Christ Jesus” 

You are not a failure.

You have a purpose in Christ, but you have to trust Him.

In Him you will find peace.

A peace that only He can give. 

This is not the end of your story. 

Jesus has won.

~ Sarah Moon