These are anxious times.
You don’t need a pastor to tell you that. It’s in the news cycle that never ends. It’s in the cost of groceries. It’s in the deep breath you take before checking your phone. It’s in the way you lie in bed and replay every mistake, every fear, every worst-case scenario.
Let’s be honest. We are not okay.
But here’s the thing: God is not surprised by our anxiety. God is not shocked by the state of the world. And more importantly—God is not absent from it.
An Old Problem with a Timeless Answer
Anxiety is nothing new. Scripture is full of it. The Psalms are basically a masterclass in honest panic. Elijah, Jonah, Martha—pick a name. These were people wrestling with fear, exhaustion, and a world that didn’t make sense.
But again and again, God met them there. Not always with immediate fixes. Not always with miraculous rescues. But always with presence. Always with truth.
Philippians 4:6–7 is the verse I like to quote:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
But too often we skip to the “peace of God” part without wrestling through the every situation part.
Because that’s where we live: in the messy middle of situations we can’t control, problems we can’t solve, and futures we can’t see.
What Faith Looks Like Here
Living in anxious times doesn’t mean pretending to be calm. It doesn’t mean faking peace or quoting verses like magical spells.
It means walking through fear with our eyes fixed on Someone greater.
It means building quiet practices of prayer, even when our minds race.
It means being honest with God, and honest with others, about how we’re doing.
It means not letting worry become our worldview.
Jesus told us plainly: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Take heart.
That’s not a suggestion—it’s a charge. It’s an anchor. It means holding on to courage even when the waves hit hard. Not because we’re strong, but because He is.
Some Practical Grounding
If anxiety is loud in your life right now, here are three things to do this week:
-
Limit the noise. Turn off the constant stream of bad news for a bit. Your soul needs more Scripture than headlines.
-
Reach out. Call a friend, talk to someone you trust, or meet with a counselor. Isolation magnifies fear.
-
Pray honestly. Don’t polish your prayers. Tell God exactly what’s weighing on you. God can handle it.
And above all, remember this: You are not alone. Not in your fear. Not in your fatigue. Not in your fight for peace.
Jesus hasn’t changed—even if everything else has.
Take heart.
Peace and grace,
Pastor Lui