There’s something I feel like we as Christians take for granted and don’t utilize enough about having a personal relationship with the Lord. That is the stress relief and anxiety relief that can come through laying it all down at His feet. The breath of fresh air that comes in the midst of worry and fear. It’s amazing how much relief you can get from worry, by just giving it to God.

I can’t promise complete relief but I can promise rest. Actually, I can’t promise anything, but God did promise many times in the scriptures to give us rest. We need only to cast our anxiety on Him and He will give us peace.

I have several subjects in my life recently that I have been praying pretty heavily on. But despite their frequent reminders to me, I do not stress or worry, because I know that whatever the outcome of the situation or whatever the answer I get, will be just what God has for me. Because I’ve laid it at His feet. So I can stop picking it back up and throwing it over my shoulder.

I had this conversation with my sister the other day, where I was relaying a situation that was causing me some worry and anxiety and she stopped me halfway through and said “you know that no matter the outcome it will be exactly what God has for you” and you know what, she’s right. I’ve been giving this particular worry to God for years and just because there’s an update to the situation, doesn’t mean I can take it out of God’s hands and try to handle it on my own. I can’t control the outcome, but I can give God my stress.

I could sit here all day and throw scripture after scripture at you that says not to worry, fear, and to not be anxious. But the one that has hit me the hardest lately is found in Psalms.

‘Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. ‘ Psalms 143:8,10

I know how to ask God for peace and I have been praying for His rest from anxiety for years, but what I haven’t been practicing is how to move on. That’s what makes these two verses so powerful to me. They have become my prayer for how to trust that no matter what it is that is causing me worry, it literally does not matter because I have given myself completely to God, I just need to walk where he shows me. Then I will know that it is His Will because I will live in peace with the direction He leads me. 

I can’t describe the peace that washes over me when the stress and anxiety starts to build, sometimes to the point where I feel nauseous and sick, but the moment I lay it down and say “Lord this situation is yours, give me peace and lead me in your direction” In an instance those anxious symptoms dissipate and I feel peace. All you have to do is ask and give it up. Every time that situation comes to mind, and those feelings arise, give it up, lay it down. Why would you carry that burden when there’s no reason to? I’m preaching to myself here guys. Sometimes you have to make the daily choice, sometimes a billion times a day, but He is still good every time.

Lay it all at the Savior’s feet and walk away in peace.