3 Ways To Choose Peace Instead Of Worry

Yesterday was a biggie. I didn’t have to look far to read headlines that could easily incite worry. I won’t recount them, as I try to keep this space encouraging. But, all week long we’ve been discussing worry… on the podcast, in our Encouragement for Real Life Community Facebook group, and over on Instagram. So, before I closed down for the day yesterday, I made a choice. To choose peace instead of worry.

Choose peace instead of worry.

How did I do that, you ask? Before I share what I did, I want to give you a little background. I can worry with the best of them. On the podcast this week I shared the story of how I worried about my mom dying at the young age of twelve. I also shared how I worried recently about what someone thought of me. Worrying is easy for me. It takes little effort. Choosing peace, on the other hand, takes quite a bit of effort. It’s harder for me to choose peace than to worry, but the benefits of peace make it absolutely worth it.

In case you’re a natural worrier too, I’m sharing what I did last night to choose peace instead.

3 Ways to Choose Peace Instead of Worry

1 – Make a decision.

We already know you and I have a choice in how we live our lives. We also have a choice in how we react to what’s going on around us. You and I can either choose God’s peace or choose to frustrate ourselves with worry. For those of us who naturally gravitate to worry, this can be a battle. But, friend, the battle is worth it. When we make the decision to live in peace instead of worry, we’ve taken the first step in trusting God and living in His freedom. There’s nothing like it! So, I made the decision last evening that I would choose God’s peace and not worry.

2 – Back up the decision with truth.

The next way is to support the freshly-made decision with truth. When we fill our minds with truth, the worried thoughts cannot find a foothold. They don’t stand a chance when they are lined up with truth. What do I mean by truth? I mean God’s truth. I did a search on my Bible app for “Bible verses about worry,” and up popped numerous verses. Then, I read them, jotted a few down, and read them again. Here’s the list I made. You can find the printable version on my free Resource page.

3 – Live it out.

The final way is to then live out the decision, backed by truth. Let me tell you, it’s much harder to live out the decision if it’s not supported by truth. I’ve tried it, and claiming that truth makes all the difference! So, I closed out of social media. I turned off my laptop. I went on with my evening, remembering the Words of truth I read minutes prior. The worries and concerns did not resurface the rest of the evening. When we actively pursue truth, God immerses us in His peace. We are able live in the abundance of this peace that surpasses all understanding.

Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Philippians 4:7 Message

Worry is not God’s best for us.

I pray the next time we’re tempted to worry, we choose God’s peace instead. We have better things to do than worry, right? God has given us an incredible gift… the gift of life. Too precious to be spent worrying and fretting. Too important to live in worry and concern. Life is an amazing gift, isn’t it?!

I don’t have this worry thing mastered, friend. I wish I did. But, maybe the three steps above help you like they helped me last night. May we always consciously choose peace instead of worry.

Much love,