A Prayer to Release Anxiety and Embrace Trust
By Chelsey DeMatteis
Bible Reading
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” - Genesis 50:20
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Last fall was a big milestone for me in my walk with Jesus. A stronghold that I had struggled with for 10 years had finally been broken. I had incredible anxiety when it came to driving. It got to the point where I no longer would travel on the freeways but find a "back way" to get where I needed to go. While that worked for the most part, there were many ways this hindered my ability to go places. This got in the way of ministry opportunities, fun adventures with my children, and, for a time, seeing my family till they moved closer.
For years I prayed and prayed that God would free me from this bondage, however, my situation kept not changing. Then, one morning, the Holy Spirit washed over me that I was setting an example of fear and anxiety over my life for my children. If that comes across as a condemning tone, please know it wasn't. It was gentle, patient, and tender, just as our Heavenly Father speaks. Here, I'd spent the last seven years praying my children would never endure an anxiety like mine, yet I couldn't release the anxiety I faced and trust God in my own life.
So, on that beautiful fall morning, I called my mom and asked her to ride with me while I took her and my youngest to lunch. It was about a twelve-minute drive on the freeway, but it was the most freeing 12 minutes and a major breakthrough for my life, both presently and spiritually. It gave me a part of my life back that I had somewhat given dominion over to the enemy, though I didn't do this intentionally I allowed him to use it as a way to warfare against me.
Genesis 50:20 says, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
While me being able to drive on the freeway isn't saving lives. It's enriching the ones He has entrusted to me. It's given me the ability to be there for people in a way I couldn't be for a decade. It's opened doors for me to travel for ministry and share the Word of God with hundreds of women. What the enemy meant for evil, God worked out for His good and His glory. Releasing my anxiety and trusting in the One who holds all my days showed me, yet again, the great gift we have in Jesus. He meets us right where we are and continues to offer us more and more freedom. New life in Christ means the rest of our days will be ones filled with releasing what gets in the way of Him, putting off what was in our former lives, and then getting to relish in the goodness He has for us.
Oh, what a Savior! Sharing this story gets me excited all over again. The good news of the gospel changes everything. It changes our spiritual lives, of course, but because of that shift comes all the changes in the physical realm as well. Jesus went to the cross for every sin that hinders us, and anxiety has been one of those thorns in my side. Ultimately, my lack of trust in God to get me safely from point A to point B was my choice not to believe He would be good. Even if one of those drives was the end of my days here on earth, He would still be good, and He would still get the glory.
Irrational fear and anxiety are among the many ways the enemy tries to shackle us. As believers, we serve the One true King. His ways, plans, and purposes for our lives will never be thwarted. We have to trust Him because He knows best. He does care for you and me, our families, and those we love. He is a good God, and He doesn't want us stuck in strongholds. Lean into Jesus and be set free.
Let's Pray:
Father, thank you for setting us free from the chains that hinder us. Convict my heart of the things in my life that have caused a stronghold. Help me see that you are there, waiting for me to turn to you with full trust and assurance that you are good and have good planned for me. I pray to release all anxiety to you in Jesus' name, amen.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Marsell Gorska Gautier
Chelsey is the voice behind the Living with Less Podcast and author of the 52-week devotional More of Him, Less of Me: Living a Christ-centered Life in a Me-centered World. She writes devotions for Lifeway Women's Journey Magazine, Crosswalk.com, and iBelieve.com. She also writes Bible reading plans for the YouVersion Bible App. Chelsey lives in Ohio with her husband and two children. You can connect with her on Instagram @chelseydematteis and at her website ChelseyDeMatteis.com.
Editor's Note: We're proud to announce we've just launched a new nighttime companion to Your Daily Prayer: the Your Nightly Prayer devotional. You'll soon be able to subscribe to receive Your Nightly Prayer via email, or as a podcast, but for now you can find it on the website at crosswalk.com/devotionals/your-nightly-prayer. We hope it's a relaxing and soothing way to wind down your day with rich meditations on who God is.
Related Resource: Jesus Calling - Stories of Faith
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Inspired by Sarah Young's classic devotional book, the Jesus Calling podcast has brought encouragement and peace to millions. New episodes drop every Thursday! Listen today on LifeAudio.com or wherever you find your podcasts.
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