Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World

by Max Lucado

The presence of anxiety is unavoidable, but the prison of anxiety is optional.

“Rejoice in the Lord.” This verse is a call, not to a feeling, but to a decision and a deeply rooted confidence that God exists, that he is in control, and that he is good.

Rather than rehearse the chaos of the world, rejoice in the Lord’s sovereignty, as Paul did.

God calmed the fears of Isaiah, not by removing the problem, but by revealing his divine power and presence.

Here is what I think: our biggest fears are sprained ankles to God. Here is what else I think: a lot of people live with unnecessary anxiety over temporary limps.

The next time you fear the future, rejoice in the Lord’s sovereignty. Rejoice in what he has accomplished. Rejoice that he is able to do what you cannot do. Fill your mind with thoughts of God.

Others see the problems of the world and wring their hands. We see the problems of the world and bend our knees.

The mind cannot at the same time be full of God and full of fear.

A happy saint is one who is at the same time aware of the severity of sin and the immensity of grace.

The saint dwells in grace, not guilt. This is the tranquil soul.

My salvation has nothing to do with my work and everything to do with the finished work of Christ on the cross.

God’s grace is greater than your sin. What you did was not good. But your God is good.

Place yourself entirely in his care. As you do, you will find it is possible—yes, possible!—to be anxious for nothing.

Christianity, on the other hand, says, “Yes, there is a God. Yes, this God is personally and powerfully involved in his creation.”

Always brings me warmth knowing how close and intimate Christians are with God.

To say Jesus is “sustaining all things by his powerful word” is to say he is directing creation toward a desired aim. The use of the present participle implies that Jesus is continually active in his creation. He exercises supremacy over all things.

He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts. (Ps. 104:14–15 NIV)

God’s sovereignty bids us to fight the onslaught of fret with the sword that is etched with the words but God.

Anxiety is needless because God is near.

You will be tempted to press the button and release, not nuclear warheads, but angry outbursts, a rash of accusations, a fiery retaliation of hurtful words.

The gentle reaction is one of steadiness, evenhandedness, fairness. It “looks humanely and reasonably at the facts of a case.”

This gentleness is “evident to all.” Family members take note. Your friends sense a difference. Coworkers benefit from it. Others may freak out or run out, but the gentle person is sober minded and clear thinking. Contagiously calm.

Because the Lord is near, we can be anxious for nothing.

Did any of the disciples pause long enough to think, Well, hmmm. Jesus healed the sick people, raised the dead girl, and calmed the angry waves. I wonder, might he have a solution we have not seen? After all, he is standing right here. Let’s ask him. Did it occur to anyone to ask Jesus for help? The stunning answer is no! They acted as if Jesus weren’t even present. Rather than count on Christ, they had the audacity to tell the Creator of the world that nothing could be done because there wasn’t enough money. How did Jesus maintain his composure? How did he keep from looking at the disciples and saying, “Have you forgotten who I am?”

This time, instead of starting with what you have, start with Jesus. Start with his wealth, his resources, and his strength.

Some of your worries have deep root systems. Extracting them is hard, hard work. In fact, it may be the toughest challenge of all. But you don’t have to do it alone.

But as a child of the King, you are at the front of the line. You, at any moment, can turn to God.

What Jesus said to the blind man, he says to us: “What do you want me to do for you?” (Luke 18:41 NIV). One would think the answer would be obvious. When a sightless man requests Jesus’ help, isn’t it apparent what he needs? Yet Jesus wanted to hear the man articulate his specific requests.

For me : a client-centered approach.

As you sense anxiety welling up inside you, cast it in the direction of Christ. Do so specifically and immediately.

God invites you—yes, commands you—to remind him of his promises.

Find a promise that fits your problem, and build your prayer around it.

The path to peace is paved with prayer. Less consternation, more supplication. Fewer anxious thoughts, more prayer-filled thoughts. As you pray, the peace of God will guard your heart and mind. And, in the end, what could be better?

Christ-based contentment turns us into strong people.

Christ-based contentment turns us into strong people. Since no one can take our Christ, no one can take our joy.

what you have in Christ is greater than anything you don’t have in life.

Replace your “if only” with “already.”

I beg you, don’t give up. What the angel said to Daniel, God says to you: “Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard” (Dan. 10:12 NIV).

God had given Paul an assignment: carry the gospel to Rome. Paul had not yet arrived at Rome, so God was not yet finished with him. Since God was not yet finished, Paul knew he would survive. Most of us don’t have a clear message like Paul’s. But we do have the assurance that we will not live one day less than we are supposed to live. If God has work for you to do, he will keep you alive to do it.

It is not easy to lose your ship. Your ship is the vessel that carries, sustains, protects, and supports you. Your boat is your marriage, your body, your business. Because of your boat, you’ve stayed afloat. And now without your boat you think you will sink. You’re correct. You will, for a while. Waves will sweep over you. Fear will suck you under like a Pacific riptide. But take heart, says Paul. Take heart, says Christ: “In this world you will have trouble, but be brave! I have defeated the world” (John 16:33 NCV).

God has never promised a life with no storms. But he has promised to be there when we face them.

Jehoshaphat’s response deserves a spot in the anxiety-treatment textbook. He “set himself to seek the LORD” (2 Chron. 20:3). He “proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah” (v. 3). He cried out to God in prayer (vv. 6–12). He confessed, “We have no power… nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You” (v. 12).

Lead with worship. Go first to your Father in prayer and praise. Confess to him your fears. Gather with his people. Set your face toward God. Fast. Cry out for help. Admit your weakness. Then, once God moves, you move too.

Because you belong to him, you can have peace in the midst of the storm.

Guard your thoughts and trust your Father.

Make it your aim to cling to Christ. Abide in him. Is he not true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise?

The Father tends. Jesus nourishes. We receive, and grapes appear. Passersby, stunned at the overflowing baskets of love, grace, and peace, can’t help but ask, “Who runs this vineyard?” And God is honored.

How do we disarm anxiety? Stockpile our minds with God thoughts. Draw the logical implication: if birds and flowers fall under the category of God’s care, won’t he care for us as well? Saturate your heart with the goodness of God.

Do not meditate on the mess. You gain nothing by setting your eyes on the problem. You gain everything by setting your eyes on the Lord.

Fear triggers either despair or prayer. Choose wisely.

You cannot control the circumstances, but you can always control what you think of them.