Anxiety kills sleep. It crouches at the door of our mind, ready to pounce. Anxiety rips our happiness away. It tears us down.

For those of us who’ve struggled with anxiety, we know how difficult this condition is. We feel it and know it’s there. So we struggle to loosen its talons.

Thankfully, God’s Word addresses anxiety. It tells real stories of people experiencing tremendous amounts of anxiety. That Scripture discusses this real condition proves its relevancy to our life situations.

In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul writes:

Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6, 7 NET)

Prayer relieves anxiety. Telling God what we need will help us during stress. Prayer lifts our burdens off our shoulders and places them into God’s hands.

Also, we should thank God during anxiety. Thanksgiving places the focus off our problems and onto God. It helps us remember His goodness toward us and others.

When we pray and thank God during anxiety, Scripture says His peace will come. His peace will sooth our hearts and minds. Because of Christ Jesus’ peace, which He secured through His death and resurrection, we anticipate an eternal hope without anxiety.

Scripture and/or notes quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. http://bible.org All rights reserved.