Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done
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Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
Part 6 of 8
A New "Normal"
Scripture
As a young woman, anxiety and fear were the “norm” for me. Because I had been sexually abused as a child, I was extremely pessimistic and always feared the worst. I always expected something bad to happen. And, as a result, I was also quite miserable.
But that’s not God’s normal—His normal is peace and joy. He wants us to live each day filled with faith, secure in His love, and expecting Him to do great things in our lives. In fact, this may be a new thought for you, but God says it’s not His will for us to ever have anxiety about anything (Philippians 4:6).
No matter what you’re going through today—no matter how intimidating your situation feels, how stressful things are, or how discouraging life may seem—always remember that God loves you. He is your answer for the anxiety and pressures of life, and He’s the One who can calm any storm.
What Is Normal
Joyce explains why it isn’t “normal” for us to be anxious and worry.
Tip
“God wants you to cast the care of your worries onto Him—all of your fears, and all of your ‘what ifs’—and choose to expect the good in every situation.”
—Joyce Meyer
Study Suggestion
Think about a situation in your life right now that has you feeling anxious. Write down some scriptures that will remind you that you can lean on God for His strength. Here are a couple to get you started:
Matthew 11:28-30
Philippians 4:13
