When worries come knocking

At times our society can feel very overwhelming, full of fearful headlines and pressures to succeed. Personally, my head is so full of the ‘to-do-list’, that I feel like Alice down the rabbit hole trying to clutch at certainty when uncertainty is gaping in front of me. 

Like many of us, I have a child starting secondary school; the holidays have left my house looking like a tsunami has hit it, and we’re heading into the busiest season of the year, where literally everything will be clawing for our attention.  

And although it’s easy to feel the mind unravel, we have an incredible confidence; that our God surrounds us (Ps 139.5), protects us (Ps 121), provides for us (Matt 6:25-34), cares for the details of our lives (Ps 37), and His promise is rest (Matt 11.28).  

So, here are a few verses chosen by members of the wonderful team at Church Army that we hope will encourage and remind you that there’s nothing ahead that is going to surprise Him: 

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrew 11:1 (NKJV) 

We live in a world where we are often challenged by people and circumstances and don’t understand what’s going on, and so I love this verse because it calms me when I worry. It reminds me that we are called to have faith in the outworking of God’s purposes in the unseen places. 

– Alan Williamson, Lead Evangelist & Regional Training Lead 

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NRSVA) 

Paul had learnt firsthand that being a Christian is no protection from life’s troubles, and yet he discovered that no matter what we face, God is faithful. However big my challenge, however overwhelming it might feel, however unfair or exhausting, I’m reminded that I do not face it alone.  

Many of us worry about what might happen in the future. I don’t know what is coming, but I know whatever is around the corner is not going to surprise God, and whatever it may be, it will not be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

– David Booker, CA Evangelist & Chaplain 

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

Revelation 21:4 (NIV) 

This is a verse I turn to when I feel overwhelmed or despairing as it’s a reminder that God’s plan is for people to live in peace and joy. Our tears and sorrow are only temporary, and God is our ultimate comforter. 

– Elli Wort, Head of Initial Training 

In the last days […] the law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Isaiah 2:2-4 (NIV)

I go to this verse because instead of almost every view of the future offered by our culture, this verse offers a sense of hopefulness for the future that only God will bring to the earth. 

– Jonny Price, Church Resources Officer 

And the verse I’ve chosen?  

There are a number of bible verses I go back to when my mind is in disarray but this one in particular grabbed me during the pandemic:  

Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Proverbs 16:24 (NLT) 

This reminds me, and my children, that the words we say about ourselves (and others) matter. 

I hope some of these bible verses have brought encouragement to you! Do you have a favourite verse that helps shield you from worry? We’d love to hear and likewise be encouraged by it!  

And ‘finally brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.’ 2 Corinthians 13.11