Julia Melatis – Author

…worried, and afraid. Worry adds nothing to our lives (Matthew 6:27). Anxiety can actually physically harm our heath, and over things things we cannot control, and that rarely come to fruition. That’s a lot of wasted time, energy, and joy. Instead, we can seek the Lord for wisdom for the things we can do to change our situation, then trust Him for the things we alone have no power to change.
When we get anxious and worry over things, we are meditating on those things. Those thoughts consume our minds and feed the fear. Instead, we must learn to:

● Take wrong thoughts captive in Jesus’ name, surrendering our will to God, and let Him and His Word transform us into the image of Christ.
     • The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:4‭-‬5 BSB
     • Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:7‭-‬8 BSB
     • Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.
Romans 12:1‭-‬3 BSB
     • Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience. When you lived among them, you also used to walk in these ways. But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
Colossians 3:1‭-‬14 BSB

● Pray and be thankful.
     • Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.
Romans 12:12 BSB
     • Rejoice at all times. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16‭-‬18 BSB
     • Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.
Mark 1:35 NLT
     • Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. After He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone,
Matthew 14:22‭-‬23 BSB
     • But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.
Luke 5:16 NLT
     • Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart:
Luke 18:1 BSB

●  Meditate on good things, especially the Word of God.
     • Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things.
Philippians 4:8‭ BSB
     • With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me stray from Your commandments. I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You. I recounted my ways, and You answered me; teach me Your statutes. Make clear to me the way of Your precepts; then I will meditate on Your wonders. My soul melts with sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word.
Psalms 119:10‭-‬11‭, ‬26‭-‬28 BSB

●Meditate on the goodness of our Lord our God, all He is, and all He has done and continues to do for us, with thanksgiving.
     • You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.
Isaiah 26:3 ESV
     • My spirit grows faint within me; my heart is dismayed inside me. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I consider the work of Your hands. I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land. Selah Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.
Psalms 143:4‭-‬6‭, ‬8 BSB
     • I will remember the works of the Lord; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old. I will reflect on all You have done and ponder Your mighty deeds. Your way, O God, is holy. What god is so great as our God? You are the God who works wonders; You display Your strength among the peoples. With power, you redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
Psalms 77:11‭-‬15 BSB
Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek out the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Remember the wonders He has done, His marvels, and the judgments He has pronounced,
Psalms 105:1‭-‬5 BSB

● Spend time in the Lord’s presence when we pray and make Him the top priority in our lives.
     •One thing I have asked of the Lord; this is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and seek Him in His temple.
Psalms 27:4 BSB
     •But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33 BSB
     • Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Psalms 111:2 BSB
     • Glory in His holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek out the Lord and His strength; seek His face always. Remember the wonders He has done, His marvels, and the judgments He has pronounced,
1 Chronicles 16:10‭-‬12 BSB

● Be strong and courageous. The opposite of anxiety, worry, and fear. Where do we find this strength and courage? In the Lord.
     • Then Nehemiah told them, “Go and eat what is rich, drink what is sweet, and send out portions to those who have nothing prepared, since today is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8:10 BSB
    • “Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 BSB
     • “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
John 16:33 BSB
     • Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong. Do everything in love.
1 Corinthians 16:13‭-‬14 BSB

● Stand firm.
     • Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:11‭-‬13 BSB
     • Therefore, brothers, stand firm and cling to the traditions we taught you, whether by speech or by letter.
2 Thessalonians 2:15 BSB
The Greek word, paradosis (par-ad’-os-is), translated here as tradition, is not referring to rituals, but rather teachings, Scripture.

● Focus on the needs of others instead of wasting time worrying.
     • Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 BSB
     • Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3‭-‬4 BSB
      • Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.
Romans 12:9‭-‬10 BSB
     • Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
Colossians 3:12‭-‬14 BSB

● Trust in the Lord and wait patiently for Him to act…Be still and know He IS God.
     • Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out. He gives power to the faint and increases the strength of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall. But those who wait upon the Lord will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
Isaiah 40:28‭-‬31 BSB
     • Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and abandon wrath; do not fret—it can only bring harm. For the evildoers will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and delight in abundant prosperity. The steps of a man are ordered by the Lord who takes delight in his journey. Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the Lord is holding his hand. Wait for the Lord and keep His way, and He will raise you up to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you will see it. The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their stronghold in time of trouble. The Lord helps and delivers them; He rescues and saves them from the wicked, because they take refuge in Him.
Psalms 37:7‭-‬11‭, ‬23‭-‬24‭, ‬34‭, ‬39‭-‬40 BSB
     • I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust, who has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood. Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us— none can compare to You— if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count.
Psalms 40:1‭-‬5 BSB
     • “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.”
Psalms 46:10 BSB

●Hold onto hope.
     • Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16‭-‬18 BSB
     • Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised. This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” Now the words “it was credited to him” were written not only for Abraham, but also for us, to whom righteousness will be credited—for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and was raised to life for our justification.
Romans 4:18‭-‬25 BSB

●  Keep the faith.
     • Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:2‭-‬3 BSB
     • Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see. This is why the ancients were commended. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Hebrews 11:1‭-‬3‭, ‬6 BSB
     • For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us. persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
2 Corinthians 4:6‭-‬7‭, ‬9‭-‬10 BSB
     • Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and thereby shipwrecked their faith.
1 Timothy 1:18‭-‬19 BSB

● Be content in all circumstances and let peace rule in our hearts.
     • Of course, godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, so we cannot carry anything out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.
1 Timothy 6:6‭-‬10 BSB
     • I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:11‭-‬13 BSB
     • Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for 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 man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:5‭-‬6 BSB
     • Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me and watch over me on this journey, and if He will provide me with food to eat and clothes to wear, so that I may return safely to my father’s house, then the Lord will be my God. And this stone I have set up as a pillar will be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give You a tenth.”
Genesis 28:20‭-‬22 BSB
     • Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
2 Corinthians 9:6‭-‬8 BSB
     • Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 BSB
     • Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.
John 14:27 BSB
     • Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 BSB

● Persevere
     • Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.
Romans 5:3‭-‬5 BSB
     • His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. Through these He has given us His precious and magnificent promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, now that you have escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Peter 1:3‭-‬8 BSB
     • Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
James 1:2-4, 12 BSB
     • Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another, and many false prophets will arise and mislead many. Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved.
Matthew 24:9‭-‬13 BSB
I have to say something about this last passage. We are getting closer to this in the U.S. every day. In other countries they already experience this. We must stand firm in the Lord and His Word as the darkness closes in. But we do not lose hope, because Jesus is always with us. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 32:6, 8, Hebrews 14;5). All the more reason to keep on (persevere) until Jesus returns. Praise be to God!

● Tell others about the salvation and new life we’ve found through Jesus.
     • Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19‭-‬20 BSB
     • And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Mark 16:15‭-‬16 BSB
     • And He told them, “This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.
Luke 24:46‭-‬48 BSB

I know this article looks like a very long “To Do” List, but it’s actually a long list of resources to help us in times of need. We should memorize some key verses (from this list or others) to help with whatever may be causing our specific anxiety. Write or type out these verses and carry them with us, so we always have them ready. Keep trusting, believing, and relying upon God, for He is our joy, strength, peace, hope, provider, and Redeemer. If we read God’s Word and pray each morning, it will set the tone for our whole day. Being still in God’s presence means to stop struggling with our problems and against the voice of the Lord. Meditating on what we read that day whenever we have a moment will help us hide it in our hearts and make it part of our being. Pay attention to the Holy Spirit, as Hr guides us. Surrender all pur troubles and anxiety to Jesus, and let Him have His way. As we wait upon Him, our strength is built up as we trust Him. Watch for the “God suddenly” and “But God” moments. It may seem sudden in its revealing, BUT GOD has never stopped working toward the answer we need. Keep persevering through every trouble, trial, and doubt. God is always with us. Hallelujah! Thanks be to God!

With Blessings of Hope and Joy,
Julia

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