Life has been pretty crazy lately. As my fall semester draws to a close, with exams just around the corner, I have been experiencing my fair share of stress and anxiety. My college assignments seem to be never ending and I'm finding it hard to make time for everything. Alongside this, I am in the process of trying to figure out my plans for next semester/year. Should I keep my babysitting job since I will be taking 20 hours of classes? Should I study abroad over the summer? Where should I live next year and with who? Should I go back to work at the movie theater while at home? Should I take an online class over the summer instead of attempting to do 20 hours next semester?
These are a few of the many questions keeping me up at night. I'm sure you all can relate, and have your own long list of "what if/should I" questions as well. It can be very confusing and stressful trying to answer them on your own.. and God doesn't want us to! He is holding out his arms to us, ready to take on our problems and sort them out for His good. He always has a plan for our lives. This is an important concept that I need to remind myself of more often. I can't get through this life on my own and my future will continue to be blurry if I do not lean on His words. That's why I have compiled this list of amazing verses dealing with anxiety, stress, and the future. His timing is always perfect; it just requires a lot of faith and trust. Let go and let God.
Matthew 6:25-34 // "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you - you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
Psalm 62:8 // "Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."
Psalm 94:19 // "When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy."
Philippians 4:6-7 // "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
1 Peter 5:7, 10 // "Cast all your anxiety on him because He cares for you... And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast."
Jeremiah17:7-8 // "But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
Psalm 55:22 // "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you, he will never let the righteous be shaken."
Matthew 10:19-20 // "Do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you."
Isaiah 41:10 // "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Proverbs 3:5-6 // "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and He will make your paths straight."
Hebrews 6:19 // "We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure."
Proverbs 12:25 // "Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up."
Romans 8:28 // "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Romans 12:12 // "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Deuteronomy 31:6 // "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Proverbs 31:25 // "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."
Jeremiah 29:11 // "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Deuteronomy 1:31 // "There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place."
Matthew 11:28-29 // "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
Psalm 121:1-3 // "I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber."
Psalm 34:4-7 // "I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame. This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them."
