Lately I have been experiencing anxiety. Not just regular anxiety, but pandemic anxiety, which is like anxiety on steroids. I also have vacation anxiety and mom guilt thanks to our kid free trip fast approaching and hanging in the balance.

These feelings come in waves. Sometimes they pull you under and other times you ride it out.

Today’s devotional suggested I hash it all out on paper. In one column, write down all raw, anxious, worrisome thoughts. In the other column, write down the promises of God’s.

If I shared with you column 1, your head might spin. Let me tell you I was very honest and it felt good to get these negative thoughts out of my head.

Column 2- well, column 2 turned into more of a dialog than a list, and I think that’s exactly what I needed. First verse that came to mind…

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Well…that should cover it. All things work for good. So if any of those negative thoughts come to fruition, it is for my good.

Reassuring, but column 1 is lengthy. I need more.

Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.

Ok that’s good to know, but I’ve had unanswered prayers…so I struggle with this. I should revert back to Romans 8:28. All things work for good. So if it is an unanswered prayer, there’s a reason.

But why?

Psalm 147:5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.

Alright, so he knows more than me. Got it…but I still feel unsettled.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

I want that kind of peace. I need that kind of peace. If only I could control my thoughts.

2 Corinthians 10:5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.

I can picture it now.

• Negative thought enters my mind.
• Negative thought gets handcuffed, taken to God, and immediately forced to turn positive or leave.
• As soon as a negative thought is escorted out, another enters. Then another. Then another…

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

That’s it! If I want this peace, I will need a guard for my mind. Full time position. Probably some overtime.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Any negative thoughts that sneak past the guard will be filtered!

• Is it true? Well, no because most of my worries never come true.
• Is it lovely? Not usually.
• Is it worth of praise? Nope.

I need to use these filters. Why?

Philippians 4:9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Because I need this peace! But it seems impossible.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me

I rely on God’s strength all the time. He’s probably tired of dealing with me.

Romans 8:38-39 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Column 1 is starting to seem less scary.

But still..even if I guard my mind, filter my thoughts, and rely on God’s strength, I may still face trouble.

James 1:2-3 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Joy and trials in the same sentence? Really?

1 Thessolonians 5:16 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

All circumstances? What about the bad ones?

Romans 8:28…start back at the top.

Use God’s word to argue with your anxiety, and the anxiety simply can NOT win!

2 Timothy 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

We may live in uncertain, ever changing times, but God has not changed. He is the same and He is good. And He does not want us to put back on the chains that Jesus broke many years ago.