I’m a Bible study girl. My bookshelves are full of completed studies where I’ve poured over verses and learned new insights from an unchanging God. What I love is often I can find free online studies where videos are offered for the duration of the study. Sometimes I join the online community, and sometimes I branch off and form my own

This summer I’m going solo, and the study is Max Lucado’s Anxious for Nothing. If you haven’t picked up Max’s vast collection of works, put that on your summer bucket list and get at it. He is a natural storyteller with such wisdom and grace. Whether through word or video, he has the look of someone that you’d strike up a conversation with at the coffee shop and leave knowing you met a new friend.

I picked up the book thinking anxiety is something I’ve had here and there with hormonal issues, and a loved one definitely struggles, so why not read it? It didn’t take long before I realized as I read anxiety has been a rock in my shoe that I’ve walked so long with, I didn’t even notice.

Now I’m aware, and like you, there are some what if situations just dancing around me, threatening to steal my peace. What might throw me off might not you, but here are common things:

-Finances

-Health

-Relationships

I’m painting with a broad brush, but our area idled an automotive plant that employed thousands. Now the local newspaper is shutting down There are so many people looking for work. Trying to pay their bills.

There are also people going to the doctor or visiting nursing homes. ER visits. Unexpected surgeries.

Relationships? Anxiety over whether that one is “the one.” Stress when the marriage isn’t working. Devastation over an affair. Grief learning a new normal without a spouse.

It’s a tornado of situations that kick up a lot of what if’s that keep our pharmacies in business.

I’m no different and I thought what I would share here is how present God is. How specific. Not only in the study am I reading about Philippians 4:4-6, but it’s popping up everywhere. Pastors mentioning it in sermons. Reading it in devotions. Friends drop it in their conversation.

The words for this week come from verse four. “Rejoice in the Lord always.”

Rejoice is a ten-point vocab word. You can’t be blah when it’s time to rejoice. It requires action and emotion. Intentionality. Always? That’s pretty specific as well. Not when we feel like it. Not just when the news is good. Always.

When the job is gone. The marriage is over. The word cancer is mentioned. College is off the table.

Trust me, I know it sounds cliche, and I’ve struggled . But He is faithful. Any hard thing He’s allowed only strengthened me and prepared me to help someone down the road going through the same thing.

So if you’re struggling, I hope this post encourages you. God’s got you. I promise!

I don’t think it’s too late to join the Anxious for Nothing Study. Check it out!