Isaiah 26:3 states: You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Anxiety has become the constant soundtrack playing in the background of many lives today. There was a time when humanity lived in fear of war, famine, and disease. Today, many fear the future, failure, and even silence. Anxiety sits with students during exams, with parents at work, and with patients in their hospital rooms. It can whisper fear into our hearts in the night when all seems at peace. We are the most connected generation, and yet more than ever, we can feel isolated or even lost. There is always the question, “What if?”

     The mind is ever at work, racing into futures that have not arrived. We are prone to look for storms when there isn’t a cloud in the sky. The scripture addresses this restless condition of the heart. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7 ESV).

     The Hebrew word for the clinical definition of anxiety is charadah. It comes from the biblical root meaning to tremble, shudder, or fear. When we look deeper into the word for anxiety, we find de’agah, which means the burdening weight of the mind. Let’s look at this in the Book of Proverbs. Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad (Proverbs 12:25 ESV).

     While anxiety is real and sometimes deeply clinical, there are also moments when anxiety grows because we have forgotten how to quiet our minds in truth. God never intended for anxiety to take up residence in our lives, yet it is one of the most common mental health struggles in our country today. The National Institute of Mental Health reports that each year, medical professionals diagnose 19.1% of US adults with an anxiety disorder, and nearly 31.9% of adolescents aged 13-18 years have experienced anxiety disorders. Statistics show young adults report some of the highest anxiety levels among all age groups. 

     The statistics speak for themselves, but as always, the Word of the Lord remains timeless and speaks to the heart. Before anxiety was a medical diagnosis, God knew the human heart and addressed its struggle with fear. Jesus never promised a life without trouble, but He did promise His peace in the middle of it. Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27 NKJV). 

     The world system does not offer shalom. Instead of worrying about what the future holds, Jesus encourages us to walk by faith while the world shouts for us to stay in control. God says He will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. The peace that quiets the soul does not come through self-help strategies. It enters the heart by seeking God in prayer with surrender, studying the Word, and worshipping His holy name. God’s perfect shalom will meet us in the middle of our anxieties. He understands the frailty of our being and will teach us to rely on His strength. You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength (Isaiah 26:3-4 NKJV). Peace rules when anxiety loses its voice. When fear arises, run to the Word and incline your ear to the LORD, as He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.”