Exchange Anxiety for Peace
Do you feel like you are drowning in a mixed up sea of emotions and unmet expectations? Does it result in a stomach churning with stress and defeat? Have you tried to overcome anxiety, only to find it taking over your life? Has treading water resulted in exhaustion? IF SO, THERE IS A REASON, AND IT IS NOT BECAUSE THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOU!
Willpower cannot remove anxiety, but the Holy Spirit can and does. The scriptures below, when confessed and prayed through, invite the Holy Spirit to transform and establish your beliefs and emotions in God’s truth. Personalize each verse by placing your name in the Scriptures to participate with the Holy Spirit’s work. This powerful practice invites Him to manifest in you the victory that Christ has already won. If you have accepted Christ as Savior your simple prayer of faith and confession, gave you new life in the Spirit. Likewise, a simple prayer of belief and confession establishes you through the Spirit, in the center of God’s goodness and victorious grace. Anxiety is sure to threaten you in the future, so take time to highlight these truths in your Bible. The next time your stomach churns in stress remember to insert your name as you read them bringing you promised peace and joy. EXPERIENCE THE GLORY OF CHRIST, THE LIVING WORD, IN YOU, AND YOU EXISTING IN CHRIST, THE LIVING WORD.
You may find that initially your feelings don’t align with the truth of Scripture, but as you continue to set your mind on Christ and who you are in Christ, your feelings will yield and align with the truth. This progression is a normal experience in this journey toward peace in Christ.
You Confess the Truth, the Spirit Exchanges Lies
THE TRUTH ABOUT GOD (Fear of Abandonment and Punishment)
“I will never desert you nor will I ever forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5
Thank you, Father, that You will never abandon me or quit me.
“To You they cried out and were delivered; In You they trusted and were not disappointed.” Psalm 22:5
I trust You and cry out to You about _____________, and I know that I will not be disappointed.
“He brought me forth also into a broad place; He rescued me, because He delighted in me.” Psalm 18:19
Father, you delight in me and are pleased to bless me as a son and co-heir of Christ.
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.” 1 John 4:18-19
Father, because Christ paid my debt, you are not angrily punishing me. You are for me.
“Let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
Father, Christ paid for and removed my sins as far as the east is from the west. I present myself as one who needs your help with _________. Thank you that your mercy and grace bound to me by faith.
THE TRUTH ABOUT OTHERS (Fear of Rejection)
“Stop regarding man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils; For why should he be esteemed?” Isaiah 2:22
Father, people and things are a lousy substitute for your love and acceptance and security. I receive Your love and acceptance as a gift of salvation. I chose to disregard other’s opinions. Instead, I choose to believe that you faithfully met my needs in Christ.
“I will go before you and make the rough places smooth; I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars. It is I, The Lord, who calls you by your name.” Isaiah 45:2–3
Father, thank you for shattering the binding lies and the schemes of the enemy. You call me by my name and go before me to lead me into paths of peace, healing, and victory.
THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR LIFE (The Fear of being Overwhelmed)
“Do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” Matthew 6:25-26
The cross proves my value. I know You meet my needs and arrange divine appointments and direct my feet onto your paths of provision and new opportunities.
“Humble yourselves… casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7
Father, I am overwhelmed with circumstances. I share my burdens of _________________ with You.
I know You will sustain me and strengthen me in the inner man by the Spirit.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:2–3
Father, thank you, that despite trials, You promise to take me through the storms in the power of your love and grace.
“By His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.” 1 Corinthians 1:30
Father, I invite You to be my source of wisdom and right behavior until my whole life is a picture of Your redemption.
THE TRUTH ABOUT YOU (Fear of Powerlessness or Inadequacy)
“Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God, the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:5-6
Father, I take you for my adequacy to respond to every person and circumstances according to the character and love of Christ.