Sometimes I struggle to keep my problems in perspective and not worry about them. The Apostle Paul says–“don’t worry about anything,” but this seems nearly impossible when I get tangled up with difficult emotions or life’s chaos. Small issues appear big. Lines of responsibility get blurry. When I start stressing about how to fix or change things, and begin thinking good results depend on me, then I know worry is taking hold. Can you relate?
Thankfully, Paul’s instructions continue past the first line. By outlining what to do in the midst of trouble, he sheds light on the bigger picture–God’s control over our circumstances. His words offer reassurance that peace comes when we remember to trust God with our problems.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
Life is like a train’s journey…
There is a place that visually helps me remember this concept of keeping my problems in perspective–Union Station Kansas City’s model train gallery. Showcasing 8,000 square feet of model trains, it is an incredible sight for railroad fans, hobbyists, and even the average Joe like me.
I enjoy studying the details of the miniature buildings like the cinema and the people carefully placed throughout the scenery. More than eighty trains travel around the gallery each day–up hills and mountains, through valleys, tunnels, towns, and even past roaring dinosaurs! Can you imagine being on a train with a dinosaur breathing on your window?! Yikes.
A pretend journey on a model train is somewhat like our own journey, isn’t it? Each life comes complete with its own people, communities, and terrain. Living in our daily circumstances can feel like climbing hills and mountains, chugging through valleys, and winding through dark tunnels. Occasionally, we even experience our own versions of scary dinosaurs. When faced with such challenges, it is difficult not to worry.
How do we find peace from worry?
If anyone had reason to worry, I think it would be Paul. He endured beatings, shipwrecks, health concerns, and imprisonment, yet he modeled how to be content in every circumstance. So, I think we can confidently rely on his instructions for how to live without worry and thrive in peace. Let’s start by reading the verse again:
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
Take 4 Steps Back to See the Bigger Picture
After researching these verses in Philippians and other supporting verses, I identified four key actions to help me combat my worry. With each action, I visualize myself taking a step back from my concern. Just as I stepped back from studying the train exhibit details to view the entire gallery, I can take these four steps back to take in life’s bigger picture. It helps me remember God’s place in the universe and my own. Maybe these steps will help you too. I hope they do.
1. Pause
As soon as you catch yourself worrying, pause to remember–you ARE a new creation because you believe in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
Already, God is changing you. He has alerted you, made you more aware of your tendency to worry, and given you the desire to STOP. You are no longer the same person who ruminated on troublesome thoughts and tried to fix everything. The personal, loving relationship between you and God is teaching you how to embrace peace and trust his control. The old life has gone, a new life has begun!
2. Pray
God never intended for you to carry life’s burdens alone. Through prayer, you can seek a relationship with him that becomes constant and cherished. Gradually, you will begin to feel the weight of life’s troubles shift as he compassionately shares the daily load you’ve been buckling under. Matthew 11:29 NLT
God offers direction for any problem in life through the stories and wisdom found in the Bible. Spend time reading, studying, and absorbing what he shares. Be bold and pray his promises back to him. Ask him to guide you with confidence, peace, and joy one day at a time, aligning your will with his own.
Do you have trouble finding the words to pray?
- Read the post Learning to Pray for a framework and suggestions.
- Use the book of Psalms in the Bible as a reference or starting point for your own prayers.
- Refer to a book that includes prayers on different topics–see the resources below.
3. Praise
Thank God for his goodness. All of us are blessed beyond measure. What are you grateful for? Is it necessities like food, water, shelter, clothing, and healthcare? Your family, friends, community, or church? Character traits and talents? Kindness, love, forgiveness…? What blessings do you enjoy seeing or doing? What difficult times has God previously carried you through?
God is the generous giver and reliable deliverer! He loves us and takes care of us each day, but how quickly we forget this. Praise God for who he is and all he does! Psalm 103:2 NLT
Need help remembering your praises?
- Start a gratitude journal and record a few blessings you notice each day.
- Make a note of the ways God answers your prayers.
- Draw a timeline of major events in your life, then record how God showed up for you in them.
- Attend worship services with fellow believers.
- Build a playlist of favorite songs that praise God and sing along.
- Use your creativity to honor him–write, draw, paint, build, play, design, manage, perform…
4. Proceed with Peace
Proceeding with peace means responsibly handling what God has given you control over and relinquishing what he has not. In times of trouble, we might get to positively impact or change some situations, but we also learn that a lot of things do not depend on us.
Concern is a slippery slope; it quickly turns into worry if we start believing good outcomes hinge upon what we do. Results are God’s department, faithful obedience is ours. When we stick to our job and trust God to do his, we honor him and can move forward with peace.
Stepping back from our immediate trouble, we are able to view it as a part of our journey. We do not know the exact route life will take, but God, the Great Engineer, does. Because we are his children, he lovingly steers us through every circumstance and ultimately delivers us safely to the destination of his heavenly Kingdom. John 14:27 NIV
A Prayer for Worry
Dear God,
Blessed be your name above all other things. Even when I can’t see it, I know you are working for my good. Thank you for loving me through my struggles with worry. With Paul’s words, you’ve helped me learn how to operate in a better way. You teach me to step back from looming problems, then you show me the big picture of your care.
I am committed to bringing you the details of my concerns and the anxiety I have about them. Taking time to pause, pray, praise, and proceed with peace brings me greater perspective. I can see valleys rise into hills, mountains get climbed, tunnels have exit points, and monsters get passed. There is hope across my terrain because you are with me.
Continue teaching me how your Word, your presence, and your people help me cope with stress. Bring wisdom that aligns the desires of my heart with your own. I pray you will use my experiences to keep molding me into a more glorious representation of your Son. As I travel, may your light shine brighter and brighter through me so others can see it too.
With great praise, I remember the ways you have brought me through previous hardships. I trust in your promises to do it again. I am at rest in your control, thankful for your peace.
Amen
Press on in faith my friends! ~Jamie
When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer. ~ Corrie Ten Boom
Additional Bible Verses
Bible Verses to Calm Worry and Anxiety
Related Posts
The Worry Fight
Learning to Pray
Psalm 23: A Shepherd’s Meanings and Motivations
The Serenity Prayer: a Road Map for Peace
Seeking 3 Kinds of Peace
Battles, Trust, and Holding Up
Unburdened: a moment of peace and rest
Inspiring Resources
Union Station Kansas City’s Model Train Gallery
Dillow, Linda. Calm My Anxious Heart: A Woman’s Guide to Finding Contentment. NavPress, 2020.
Lucado, Max. Traveling Light. W Pub. Group, 2001.
What does the Bible say about worry? GotQuestions.org
Do not worry about tomorrow–is that even possible (Matt 6:34)? GotQuestions.org
Give Your Anxious Mind a Rest: Letter to My 30-Year-Old Self, DesiringGod.org
Books with Prayers to Use
Jamie Trunnel, A Soul’s Anchor: Poems and Prayers to Hold God Close
Max Lucado, Start with Prayer: 250 Prayers for Hope and Strength
Sarah Young, Jesus Listens: Daily Devotional Prayers of Peace, Joy, and Hope
Important Note:
If your worry and anxiety is negatively affecting your life and health, please consider talking to a doctor or therapist. God cares about your well-being. National Institute for Mental Health USA
Photos:
I took these photos at Union Station Kansas City
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