Definitions & Insights – Anxious or Peaceful?         

by Katy Kauffman

Do you ever feel like the default setting of your heart is set to “anxious”? I would have to say yes, except God showed me a contrast in Scripture that eased my anxious thoughts and made me depend on Him more than ever.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7  NKJV)

Do not be anxious about one single thing. Why?

Anxious means:

• “to be troubled with cares”¹
• “to divide”²

When we’re anxious about a situation, our thoughts are divided. Our hearts feel a tug of war between worry and faith. God wants us to wholeheartedly focus on Him and look to Him for what we need and want. So He calls us to take our troubles to Him in prayer. Then what happens?

The root definition of peace means “to join.”³ When we choose faith over fear, our hearts are joined to God’s heart, and we have peace. Our connection to Him, and our dependence on Him, is renewed. We remember the greatness of His power, love, and wisdom. We anticipate how He’ll work in our situation.

Don’t let worries divide your mind and heart. Join your heart to God’s, and believe in who He is and what He can do. Then you’ll have peace that passes understanding.

1. Larry Pierce, The Online Bible, CD-ROM (Winterbourne, Ontario: Larry Pierce, 2019), Philippians 4:6, anxious.

2. Ibid. (Part of the root definitions.)

3. Larry Pierce, The Online Bible, CD-ROM (Winterbourne, Ontario: Larry Pierce, 2019), Philippians 4:7, peace.