To fight anxiety in difficult times, I have to train my mind to replace anxiety with ”the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:4-9 ) while I await a happy ending. No matter what the trouble, “nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37).
I find strength in believing that God “exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" (Hebrews 11:6). We know God exists because we are born with a conscience (Romans 2:14-15) and because of the things we see in nature (Romans 1:20 and others).
It is God’s will that I bring my troubles to Him:
“Come unto Me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29).
My family will have a happy ending:
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). Although my daughter Elizabeth died, I am happy to know that she is no longer suffering and that we will be reunited again.
To find (and keep) inner peace, I must pray with thanksgiving and concentrate on good things throughout the day:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with gratitude, make your requests known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will protect your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things…and the God of peace will be with you” Philippians 4:4-9.
I will obey God - no matter how difficult my situation is:
“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments....all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you...Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb…" (Deuteronomy 28:1-68).
Persistence in prayer is eventually rewarded - and pleases God:
“Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy! Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan, because of the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked. For they drop trouble upon me, and in anger they bear a grudge against me. My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me…”(Psalm 55:1-5).
As I seek help for my loved ones, I will obey Jesus’ command to: “always pray and not give up.” For even an unrighteous judge, who neither fears God nor cares what people think, will eventually be worn down by the persistence plea, “‘Grant me justice against my adversary.” This judge will say, “‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this [woman] keeps bothering me, “I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.” The Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18: 1-6).
Difficult people - thorns in our sides - are to be expected:
"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive...heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people." 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Assurance of blessings:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. ...
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. ...
Victory assured against lying enemies:
A false witness will perish,
But the man who listens to the truth will speak forever.
No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.”
Per God’s command, I will pray for my enemies:
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44).
Revenge against my enemies must come from God, not me:
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).
Bring to an end the violence of the wicked
and make the righteous secure—
you, the righteous God
who probes minds and hearts.
My shield is God Most High,
who saves the upright in heart.
God is a righteous judge,
a God who displays his wrath every day.
If he does not relent,
he will sharpen his sword;
he will bend and string his bow.
He has prepared his deadly weapons;
he makes ready his flaming arrows.
Whoever is pregnant with evil
conceives trouble and gives birth to disillusionment.
Whoever digs a hole and scoops it out
falls into the pit they have made.
The trouble they cause recoils on them;
their violence comes down on their own heads.
Like Jesus’ mother, Mary, I will proclaim:
His mercy extends to those who fear him,
from generation to generation.
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
