Author: Jonathan Utley

Peace. It is a concept that often refers to tranquility or a sense of calm. The English definition of the word peace is “free from disturbance.” And yet, in the Bible, Jesus talks about having peace in the midst of turmoil or problems we face in our lives. 

So then the question is, how do we experience something that is “free from disturbance” when we are actually bothered by the circumstances of our life? Well, let’s go back to what Jesus says to his disciples in John 16:33. “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

When we look at this Scripture, it is important to know the context of the conversation. Jesus has just explained that He is returning to the Father and sending the Holy Spirit. He tells his followers that they will mourn over what will happen to him, as the remainder of the world rejoices with the perceived destruction of Jesus and his ministry. 

Jesus acknowledges the pain that his followers will experience and yet still tells them to have peace in him. How are they to have tranquility in a moment such as this? The word peace that Jesus uses in this conversation is the Hebrew word shalom. Shalom means wholeness or completeness. Jesus became the complete and unblemished sacrifice for our sins. 

In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis writes, “God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” 

There is no true peace outside of God. Let’s look at what the Bible says about the peace of the Lord.

“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”
Romans 5:1-5

“But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.”
Ephesians 2:13-16

“Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
Colossians 3:14-15

“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. And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:6-9

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”
Galatians 5:22-23

“Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!”
Proverbs 12:20

“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness(or of good things, or of justice)”
James 3:17-18

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
Isaiah 26:3

“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.”
Matthew 5:9

This peace is a promise. A promise that Jesus explains in John 14:27. “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” The peace of mind and heart that Jesus gives cannot be compared or understood by our finite minds. It’s a peace that is beyond understanding. 

This worship song called P E A C E by Young & Free is a great reminder. Maybe listen to the song while you read these lyrics:

You will stay true
Even when the lies come
Your Word remains truth
Even when my thoughts don’t line up
I will stand tall on each promise You made
Let the rest fade away

There’s a peace far beyond all understanding
May it ever set my heart at ease
Dare anxiety come I’ll remember
That peace is a promise You keep
Peace is a promise You keep

You will stay true
Even in the chaos
Your Word remains truth
Even when my mind wreaks havoc
I will be still for I’ve known all along
My Jehovah Shalom

There’s a peace far beyond all understanding
May it ever set my heart at ease
What anxiety fails to remember
Is peace is a promise You keep
Peace is a promise You keep

You are peace to a restless soul
Peace when my thoughts wage war
Peace to the anxious heart
That’s who You are
That’s who You are

You are peace when my fear takes hold
Peace when I feel enclosed
Peace when I lose control
That’s who You are
That’s who You are

I’ve found peace far beyond all understanding
Let it flow when my mind’s under siege
All anxiety bows in the presence
Of Jesus the keeper of peace
And peace is a promise He keeps

Take heart, friend. Jesus – our peace – has overcome the world. Wherever you find heart today, whatever is reigning in your mind, ask Jesus for his peace. He has overcome the very depths of sorrow. His peace is a promise. God is for you and he loves you.

Church In Nashville

 

Are you looking for a church in Nashville?

 

Maybe you just moved, or maybe you haven’t been to church in a long time and you’re interested in visiting one. Whatever your reason, this blog post is designed to help you learn a little more about how to find a good church in Nashville! 

 

Before we start, there’s one important distinction. There’s a difference between the Church and a church. The Church refers to the whole body of believers. In the Bible, the Church is often used to talk about everyone who follows Jesus, regardless of where you live or what building you go to on Sundays. Sometimes you will see the Church capitalized to denote this. 

 

A church is a more specific, localized body of the Church. A church meets together on Sundays and might fall under a number of different Christian denominations (or non-denomination!). 

 

Finally (bear with us!), the Church can also be used to describe a collection of believers in a specific location. For example, the Church in Nashville refers to all the believers in Nashville, whereas a church in Nashville refers to a specific congregation. 

 

Phew! 

 

Alright, let’s get into it. 

 

About Nashville and The Church

 

Nashville isn’t called “Music City” for nothing. The self-proclaimed city of dreamers and storytellers is famous for its songwriters and pop stars, yet it maintains a friendly, down-to-earth vibe that starkly contrasts with other music hubs like Los Angeles and New York.

 

The Church in Nashville shares the city’s desire for vibrant creativity and excellence without sacrificing humility and hospitality. Congregations have an unusual amount of musicians, writers, and singers, but of course there are also doctors, accountants, plumbers, teachers, delivery drivers, and so on!

 

So while the heart of the Church in Nashville is the same as the heart of the Church anywhere – to love God and love our neighbor – we like to think there’s a unique spin on church in Nashville. There’s no other city on earth like it!   

 

What to look for in a church

 

In today’s day and age, picking a church can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of denominations with slightly different ways of practicing Christian faith. It can be hard to decide which one is doing it best! 

 

Our recommendation? Stick to the basics.

 

Jesus didn’t come to complicate religion, he actually came to make it easier for us to know the Father! Here are some important things to look for in a church: 

 

• Believes Jesus is the Son of God and the only way to eternal life

 

• Believes that Jesus died and rose again for the forgiveness of sins

 

• Believes that Scripture is God-inspired and the final authority on all teaching

 

• Emphasizes community and building up the body of believers rather than entertainment on a Sunday morning

 

• Strives to love God and people! No church is perfect, but this is central to the Christian faith.

 

• Transparency from leadership in finances, conflicts, beliefs, etc. 

 

• Good music! Now obviously the heart behind worship is much more important than the sound quality. But here in Nashville, it’s not too hard to find both!

 

• Feels like home. Just because a church is doing all the right things doesn’t mean it’s the right place for you to invest in. God calls each of us to a specific place, so seek His heart for you! A good test is: does this church feel like home?

 

• Honors God above all else. Does the pastor get more attention than God? Does the worship music feel more like entertainment than an offering of praise? These are red flags. 

 

What are YOU looking for?

 

We wouldn’t recommend ignoring the above recommendations when looking for a church, but there are some factors that aren’t necessarily wrong or right – they just come down to preference: 

 

• Church size 
  • Some people love the energy of a thousand people in a room shouting praise songs! Others would prefer a quiet home church gathering of 10-20 people. There are pros and cons to both! Most churches agree that meeting in smaller numbers is valuable, so many larger churches also provide opportunities for small group meetings throughout the week.

 

• Church demographics  

 

• Some churches are very trendy, attracting a younger crowd. Other churches are a bit more traditional, attracting an older crowd. Different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds also affect the “style” of a church service. Again, there isn’t necessarily a right and wrong here. If you’re like us though, you recognize diversity can be valuable for learning from one another!

 

• Worship styles

 

• Some churches have bright lights on stage for worship. Other churches might stand in a circle and sing hymns. 

 

• Preaching styles

 

• Some pastors preach with energy, gusto, and creativity. Other pastors might try to avoid emotion, allowing the Scripture to speak for itself. Some sermons may be topical, or about a specific subject. Others might be expository, or about a specific passage of Scripture.

 

About Cornerstone Church

 

There are many great churches in Nashville, but of course we would love to invite you to visit Cornerstone! Here’s a little bit about us:

 

• Mission 

 

• The ministries of Cornerstone Nashville are designed to attract those searching for meaning and purpose in their lives, introducing them to the saving power of Jesus Christ.

 

• We want to provide a path to living victoriously through Him, empowering individuals to serve the kingdom. 

 

• Our overall goal is to share the love of Jesus to the world. 

 

• History

 

• 1983 – Cornerstone has its first worship service in someone’s house!

 

• 1997 – recognized as the seventh fastest-growing Assemblies of God church in America.

 

• 2000 – worship center completed

 

• 2006 – 3 story ministry center completed

 

• 2015 – largest addition with dedicated multi-level kids center, commons area, coffee shop, and renovated Student Center all focused on the Next Generation

 

Come visit Cornerstone

 

• Service times

 

• Join us @ 8:30am & 10:30 am

 

• Our address is 726 W. Old Hickory Blvd Madison, TN 37115

 

• What to expect

 

• When you visit us, expect to meet a diverse community of people committed to sharing the life-changing presence of Jesus Christ in their lives.

 

We are believing God that our best days are ahead of us as we experience fresh vision and a new drive to reach out to our community in new and exciting ways. God is accomplishing great things through Cornerstone Nashville. 

 

But remember, the church is not a building. The church is you—it is all of us together. Beyond creating a place for His plans to be carried out, God is creating a people who will carry out His will. He is intimately interested in you and in your becoming the person He has destined you to be. 

 

Our prayer is that He will reveal to you the part you will play in this amazing victory! You can pray that prayer, too.

 

We hope to see you soon! 

 

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NLT

We could all use a little encouragement sometimes, right? It’s so easy to become weighed down with the stressors of life. Maybe you find yourself on the precipice of discouragement because of a prognosis from the doctor. Perhaps you haven’t hit the benchmarks at your job you were hoping to achieve, or you feel like you’re not getting through to your kids. The local or world news is heavy on your heart. You are waiting on an answer from the Lord to a very specific prayer, and have yet to hear anything. 

It could be all of these things, or none of them. Whatever the scenario, we’ve all experienced a moment (or several) of feeling discouraged or disheartened. It can be overwhelming and a bit lonely, too.

When Paul wrote a letter to believers in Thessalonica, he urged them to “encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” It’s interesting that Paul makes a point to tell them to do something they are already doing. Seems a bit redundant or obvious at first. But when we dive deeper, we learn that Paul is encouraging as well as instructing them.   

For the believers in Thessalonica, Paul was cheering them on. He was recognizing the good that they were doing in their community and prompting them to continue to do the same. The word encourage means to give support, confidence, or hope to someone. And the Bible is filled with examples of supporting, bringing confidence, or hope. Here are just a few examples from the Word. 

SUPPORT.

To support someone (or something) is to hold them up or assist in keeping them upright. 

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.”

Hebrews 10:24 NLT

“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

Ephesians 4:29 NLT

“Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.”

Proverbs 12:25 NLT

CONFIDENCE.

The feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.”

Jeremiah 17:7-8 NLT

“For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.”

Psalms 33:4-5 NLT

 

HOPE.

A feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.

“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.”

Ephesians 1:18 NLT

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

Hebrews 10:23-25 NLT

“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

Isaiah 40:31 NLT

This scripture may have been addressed to a community of believers, but it can be applied to our individual circumstances as well. We can go to the Bible for encouragement, we can look to those in our community, and we can also spread this to others. There are so many ways to bring hope, confidence or support to someone in your life. Prayer is one example. Be gracious in your interactions. Try to see things from their perspective. Share scriptures with them.

These are a few scriptures that could be helpful as you encourage one another (and yourself, too). 

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.””

Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 NLT

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.””

John 16:33 NLT

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Romans 15:13 NLT

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT

“For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”

Romans 8:29-32, 35, 37 NLT

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

John 14:27 NLT

“And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.”

1 John 5:14 NLT

Be encouraged – God sees you. He hears you. He knows exactly where you are. And He cares deeply for you. 

Money is the root of all evil?

 

Money is the root of all evil – that’s what the Bible says, right? Chances are you’ve come across this phrase in one place or another in your life, but you won’t find it in the Bible! What the Bible actually says is: 

 

“The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” – 1 Timothy 6:10

 

See the difference? Money itself is not evil, but loving money leads to evil.

 

Unfortunately, Christian culture has often confused money itself with the sin of loving money. We know that Jesus had followers who were wealthy, such as Joseph of Arimithea, but as far as we know, Jesus never condemned them for their wealth. His criticism was reserved for those like the Pharisees, who are described as “lovers of money” (Luke 16:14). 

 

Why shouldn’t we love money?

 

Money can be an idol.

 

“No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” – Luke 16:13

 

If we prioritize having money over serving God, we will make our decisions based on financial gain rather than obedience to Him. This might lead to violating a general moral principle, such as the case of someone who gains wealth by deceiving or harming others. But it also might distract you from a specific plan God has for your life!

 

Money also becomes an idol when we trust in our bank account more than we trust in God. When life is difficult, where do you turn? Do you expect your money to solve your problems or God? 

 

When you don’t trust someone, your heart isn’t fully open to a relationship with them. The same is true with God.

 

Financial wealth is deceptive.

 

“People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.” – 1 Timothy 6:9

 

“Still others, like seed sown among thorns, heard the word; but the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” – Mark 4:19

 

Our culture believes money will solve all problems and make us happy. It’s true that money does solve some problems, and a certain amount is necessary for general well-being. We need a place to live, food, clothes, and so on. 

 

But the Bible says pursuing excessive money leads to disappointment. No amount of money will ever be enough to fill the God-shaped hole in our hearts. Money may help our lives function smoothly, but it doesn’t satisfy the deepest desires of the human heart.

 

Jesus says we are like plants choked by thorns when we pursue wealth expecting it to make us happy. We can only flourish and find real joy when we look to God alone as our provider!

 

It can make us greedy.

 

“Whoever loves money never has money enough” – Ecclesiastes 5:10

 

The problem with greed is that it’s never satisfied, no matter how much you have. When you love money, you’ll never be content with your salary. You’ll always need the next new house, car, gadget – which means more money, and more, and more. And that’s a miserable way to live!

 

So how should we treat money then?

 

Money is a part of our daily lives; we can’t avoid it, nor should we try to! Again, money itself is not evil. It only becomes something ugly when we desire it more than God. 

Here’s what the Bible says about using money in our daily lives:

 

Work hard to provide for yourself and others. 

 

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” – Proverbs 14:23

 

“He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.” – Ephesians 4:28

 

The Bible encourages diligence and hard work – and hard work that leads to profit! It’s not wrong to earn money and use it to live. We should provide for ourselves, our families, and those in need around us to the best of our ability. And as long as we are able to work, we shouldn’t be lazy and rely on someone else to take care of us.

 

Practice contentment.

 

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5

 

Ultimately, God is our provider. There may be seasons when we have an abundance of money and seasons when we have a lack. God is with us through it all, and He knows what we need. 

 

God works to provide not just for our physical needs but also for our spiritual needs. He wants to teach us new things and help us grow! 

 

Contentment is an act of trust. It says: “God, I choose to trust you and give thanks no matter what my circumstances are. You know exactly what I need!” 

 

Give your money away. 

 

“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” – Proverbs 11:25

 

“Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6-7

 

The Bible says that we should be generous with our money, giving freely as opportunities arise. For some, this might look like a traditional tithe of 10% of all income. For others, it might be more spontaneous!

 

Giving is about helping those in need, but it’s also about the attitude of our hearts. It helps us let go of attachment to money (love of money) and instead trust God. When we give, we become generous, open-hearted, and joyful. When we hold onto things for ourselves, we become selfish, closed-off, and unhappy. 

 

“Sowing” or giving generously allows us to have an undivided love for God that isn’t diminished by a competing love of money.  

 

Conclusion

 

A lot of people think the Bible is out to prevent us from having any fun. When it comes to money, it can seem like our lives would be so much better if we could just make a million dollars! Our culture certainly tells us that. 

 

The Bible warns, however, that loving money doesn’t actually lead to happiness. Instead, it offers us a different path to life in the fullest – a path on which we serve God instead of money.

 

What might happen if you actually believed and practiced what the Bible says about money? How might your life become more free, exciting, and fulfilled? 

 

What causes anxiety?

We live in a world that gives us many reasons to be anxious. If you flip on the TV, the global news is filled with stories of war, natural disaster, and the latest developments in the pandemic. Meanwhile, in our personal lives, many of us deal with broken relationships, financial instability, and health concerns. On top of all this, our daily lives at school or work are filled with appointments, tests, deadlines, and the unspoken pressure not to mess up.

It’s no wonder anxiety is a problem!

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a type of fear rooted in the belief that God won’t take care of us. If traumatic things have occurred in our lives, it’s easy to feel like God didn’t provide help when we needed it. As a result, the future may feel scary and overwhelming.

The Bible never promises that bad things won’t happen to us in this life, but it does promise that God will be with us in the midst of suffering, and it promises that He will give us comfort and peace in any circumstance.

What does the Bible say about anxiety?

The Bible talks about anxiety quite frequently. The psalmists often detail their agony as they seek God in dark times. In 2 Corinthians 11:26-29, Paul describes the immense stress he’s been under in his ministry. And throughout the gospels, Jesus encounters many people who are anxious about one thing or another.

If you struggle with anxiety, know this: God is a God of peace, and He wants to give His peace to you.

Below are 10 Bible verses on anxiety, but they are just the tip of the iceberg. Start with these ones, and then read more to see what the Bible says about anxiety.

10 Bible Verses On Anxiety

Psalm 94:17-19

Unless the LORD had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your love O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Romans 8:38-39

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Matthew 10:29-31

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Psalm 77:1-2

I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands and my soul refused to be comforted.

1 Peter 5:6-8

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Luke 4:18-19

Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Hebrews 13: 5-6

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

Matthew 6: 25-36

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

John 14:1

Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me (Jesus).

Philippians 4:4-6

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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.

God knows that humans get anxious…

That’s why He’s given us so much encouragement in the Bible! When we feel anxious, God promises us that He is near. He tells us that we can trust Him to take care of us.

Of course, trusting God is easier said than done. The path away from anxiety and into trust requires surrender over and over again.

If you’re looking for ways to deepen your trust in God, reading the Bible is so important! Did any of the above verses stand out to you? If so, write that verse out and put it in a place where you’ll see it every day. Read it often. Memorize it. Say it out loud when you feel anxious. Incorporate it into your prayers!

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”