Exchange Worry for Peace

I am naturally a worrier. Sometimes in completely safe circumstances, my eyes still dart around for possible dangers or hazards. This tendency to worry has absolutely grown since I became a mother, but there's always been a little bit of anxiousness lurking within me.

Maybe you can relate to checking all ways - twice - before driving through a four-way stop. Or your thing may be Googling any and every symptom, ache, and pang you feel in your body. It could be beating yourself up over and over what you said, or didn't say, in a conversation you wished had gone differently. It's natural for us to lean towards worry, but that doesn't have to be our permanent state.

Recently, I was talking to someone in my small group who had someone in her family face a potential health scare. Nothing was diagnosed or discovered, but she still shared with me the worst case scenario thoughts in her mind. I assured her I had been there too, and that God and reading His Word had helped me exchange my worry for peace.

Over the last several years I have a "Scripture formula" that I work through when my worry starts to get the best of me. Depending on when and where I'm at, I can walk through this exercise as thoughts in my head or a prayer I say out loud.

First, as I find my thoughts wandering from reality to worry, I take them captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5) and literally imagine myself grabbing them and throwing them in the trash! I replace those thoughts with truth, and speak God's Word over myself. I recite Philippians 4:6-7, which I pray over my daughter every night - "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."

I then continue on to Philippians 4:8 and list off things I know to be true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise. Some days if my thoughts are really out of control, I focus on the things right in the moment. It may look like - "It is true that I am laying in my bed and that I am safe. It is lovely that it is spring time and my family spent time outside today. The Lord is worthy to be praised because He loves me and has good plans for my life".

If I believe that every word of the Bible is true - which I do - then my behavior and my life will be marked by allowing it to transform me into a new person by changing the way I think (Romans 12:2). I am so thankful for this truth that no matter what worries or negative loops our minds are in, God can change us from the inside out when we are in Christ! What good news we can share with the world that so desperately needs peace!

FOR FURTHER THOUGHT

As I was listening to one of my favorite Bible teachers, she stated something so powerful that I'll leave with you, she said “'Even if’ is not my common word. Too often, I use these words: ‘But God, what if?’ …’What if?’ breeds fear. ‘Even if’ breeds faith. And why can we say ‘even if’? Because God knows the plans: Jeremiah 29:11 (Megan Fate Marshman)

What "What If?" can you turn into an "Even if?"

Even if _______________, God promises to be you always (Matthew 28)

Even if ________________, God will love you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3)

Even if _________________, God will provide all that I need (Psalm 23)

When your mind runs to worry, remember what's true. Remember that He is for you. Remember that you can have peace, and you can share your Source of peace with others.

PRAYER: Lord, I thank you so much for the gift of your Word. Help me to hide it in my heart so I can be equipped and empowered to use it when the world gives me so many reasons to worry. Remind me that You are my help in times of trouble, and that to You I can seek refuge and peace. Let my life be a reflection of my dependency on You so I can share the good news of all You are with my small corner of the world. I thank You for always walking with me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

ABOUT MORGAN BENNER

Morgan Benner is a woman transformed by faith, and if you had met her in the first 27 years of her life, you might not recognize her today. Jesus completely changed her, making her not just a different person but a new one. She now enjoys life with her best friend and husband, Derek, and their sweet three-year-old daughter, continually experiencing God’s love and growing in faith through her family. A creative at heart, Morgan uses her gifts to serve at her church—whether through video announcements, social media, small group leadership, or welcoming others into an encounter with Jesus. Professionally, she works as a Talent Acquisition Manager for a Fortune 500 company, a role that reflects her deep love for people. Known for meeting others right where they are, she is passionate about sharing the good news of the One who changed her life.

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