A Small Book for the Anxious Heart

3/31/2020

These are anxious times! The unknown is scary whether anxiety is something you struggle with on a daily basis or only on occasions that are unfamiliar and uncomfortable for everyone.

Most of us have at least a little anxiety right now thanks to COVID-19. But, God’s Word has a lot to say about feeling fearful and anxious. The following is an excerpt from A Small Book for the Anxious Heart by Edward T. Welch, a small but powerful devotional book to remind us of the encouraging, beautiful words in Scripture written to anxious people.

Don’t Be Anxious . . . Pray. This sounds too simple, doesn't it!?

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

Don’t be anxious . . . PRAY!

A Small Book for the Anxious Heart banner

But don’t brush this off as trite and simplistic.

Every other way of dealing with fears and anxieties relies on some technology, medicine, and/or self-talk. But we all know—even children know—that our anxieties need the right person, and you and I know that Person!

Have you tried this when you are anxious?

Have you ever answered your anxious thoughts with Scripture-led prayer?
It turns out that this seemingly simple and available-to-all teaching is one of the hidden and underused treasures of Scripture. It only sounds trite if you haven’t practiced it. It is simple, but, like the simple instruction to “love one another,” it takes a lifetime to master.

So, what happens when we answer our anxious thoughts with Scripture-led prayer?

We learn to speak honestly to the Lord about our fears and anxieties.
We grow in making simple requests, such as “help!”
We talk to God using His words in the Bible—merging our requests with what He says is true and what we know the Lord delights in giving us.
We learn to wrap all of this together with thanksgiving, remembering what Jesus has done in the past, what He is doing now, and what He will do in the future.

Those who consistently respond to anxiety with prayer are the sages in our midst. Too often we brush off Philippians 4:6 and look for something more complicated. Meanwhile, this wonderfully compact teaching stands waiting for us.

Ed Welch writes, "The last thirty years of my life have been spent shortening the time lag between the appearance of anxiety and the onset of prayer. That gap has gone from two days down to one, and then down to an hour.

Occasionally, prayer comes even before my anxiety is full-blown. When that happens, I marvel at the power of God that equips me to do what is counterintuitive. Left to myself I spin out doomsday scenarios, hoping that my frenetic mind will stumble into some answers. But when I go to my heavenly Father and tell Him my worries, when I remember His words to me (an ever-present help in trouble), and when I thank Him for His care, the peace of Christ does begin to rule my heart and mind. It’s a miracle that still takes me by surprise."

"God is our refuge and strength,a very present[b] help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; He utters His voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

Come, behold the works of the Lord, how He has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariots with fire. 'Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!' The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah" (Psalm 46)

For this passage to come alive to you and me, we have to know that God is near.

Paul mentions that right before he tells the Philippians to replace anxiety with prayer (Philippians 4:5). For the ancient Israelites, God was just on the other side of a curtain, residing in His Holy of Holies. Now, for us, Immanuel—God-with-us—is in us and we are in Him.

Are you persuaded that He wants you to talk to Him?

This is what happens in the best of relationships.
We speak of what is heavy on our hearts, and the other person never minimizes our struggle. Although the Lord knows your thoughts and feelings even before you do, He values you actually putting those thoughts and feelings into words and into prayer. Welcome to the deep wisdom of God that is available to us through Jesus! Welcome to don’t be anxious . . . PRAY!

Purchase A Small Book for the Anxious Heart and get started this week!

Fear and anxiety are chronic struggles for many, and they are only intensifying and increasing.
Best-selling author Edward T. Welch shares the comfort and peace of Jesus in fifty brief readings for those of us who wrestle with fear and anxiety.

A Small Book for the Anxious Heart cover

A Small Book for the Anxious Heart is a powerful devotional that reminds us of the encouraging, beautiful words in Scripture written to anxious people.

While many books on fear and anxiety exist—promising to help us manage our struggles with methods and formulas—this devotional reaches deeper into Scripture, making the Word of God more accessible. Don’t put a Band-Aid on your fear and anxiety; rather, learn to bring your fear to Jesus, relying on His Word.

Welch has been counseling for over thirty-eight years and is the author of more than a dozen books, including A Small Book about a Big Problem (which we'll look at next Tuesday), Running Scared: Fear, Worry and the God of Rest, Shame Interrupted, When People Are Big and God Is Small, and many others.

Jesus cares for us, and in these readings, Welch invites readers to trust God for today, knowing He goes before us always.

Read a sample of A Small Book for the Anxious Heart here.

Last week, we looked at A Small Book for the Hurting Heart. Be sure to check back next Tuesday as we highlight A Small Book About a Big Problem.

Thanks for joining the InstaEncouragements weekly Christian link-up! We would really appreciate it if you would grab this IE link-up button, place it on your blog and link back to this post.

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Thanks for linking up and sharing! Have an awesome week!

If you've read A Small Book for the Anxious Heart by Ed Welch, I'd love to know what you thought and how it impacted your life.

24 Comments

Barbara Harper link

3/31/2020 09:10:07 am

I have not read all of Ed's books, but I have really benefited from the ones I have read. This will go on my TBR list.

Patsy Burnette link

3/31/2020 11:30:22 am

It's a great little book, especially for these unprecedented, uncertain times! I wish I had about 1000 copies I could leave in hospitals, doctor's offices, hospice homes and places like that!!! The world needs this! They need to know where to find HOPE!

Lisa notes link

3/31/2020 09:14:15 am

This sounds like such a great resource. I do struggle with anxiety and I am grateful for the avenue of prayer to help me release some of that to the Lord. This reminds me that I need to get out some of my scripture prayer books to guide me in my prayers. Thanks, Patsy.

3/31/2020 11:35:08 am

Prayer and His Word are such a blessing, anytime, but especially during times like this! And that's really the theme that resonates throughout the book. Look to God. Go to Him in prayer. But you know, Lisa, we really need to be doing those things before calamities come. When we're in the habit of always being in a spirit of prayer and daily in His Word, then, and only then, will we be prepared for the unforscene times like we are living through today.

Laurie link

3/31/2020 12:54:32 pm

This sounds like something I could use right now. I typically don't struggle with anxiety but recent events have left me struggling. Thank you for this good recommendation.

3/31/2020 02:23:17 pm

We can all use it right now, Laurie!

Beth Steffaniak link

3/31/2020 02:29:38 pm

I was just talking about the power of prayer to get my heart in line with God's this morning in my small group (Zoom meeting). God uses it in such a powerful way to calm our anxious hearts and redirect our wayward choices. Thanks for sharing about these incredible books, Patsy! Pinned and tweeted!

3/31/2020 03:06:15 pm

Thank you, Beth! There truly is so much power in prayer! :) And peace is found there as well.

Lauren Renee Sparks link

3/31/2020 04:25:40 pm

This is the book I need for myself and my daughter.

3/31/2020 07:00:29 pm

I think every one of us needs it right now, Lauren!

Donna Reidland link

3/31/2020 05:15:48 pm

Patsy, I have benefited greatly from Ed Welch's life and ministry, including his books. I haven't read this one but it sounds like a gem!

3/31/2020 07:01:11 pm

It is, Donna!

Michele Morin link

4/1/2020 08:28:22 am

We need to claim our spiritual resources in Christ during this anxious time. Thanks for sharing a resource to guide us--as well as your own good thoughts here.

4/1/2020 10:39:28 am

YES! We do, Michele! So many resources there, just waiting to be claimed!

diane@worthbeyondrubies link

4/1/2020 03:55:57 pm

This sounds like an amazing resource Patsy, as is your post! It is so needed right now and I appreciate you sharing it with us! And thank you for linking up @worthbeyondrubies

4/1/2020 05:17:58 pm

It's a great resource for these uncertain times!

Kathryn | Mom Life on Purpose link

4/1/2020 04:16:31 pm

This looks like a great book to have on your nightstand.

4/1/2020 05:19:16 pm

The whole set would make a good nightstand package. :) That's a great idea! I'm just thinking now I might put these on the nightstands in our guest rooms! Thanks!

Maree dee link

4/1/2020 05:12:09 pm

I have not read any of these book. Thank you for bringing them to my attention. Maree

4/1/2020 05:20:12 pm

They are all excellent resources leading the reader right back to Scripture and prayer!

sue link

4/1/2020 07:28:03 pm

This makes so much sense yet I can forget to cry out to my loving and all-powerful Father in heaven. Just read in Jesus Calling this morning about taking all the details of my day (including the annoying and anxious parts) to pray all day all. Loved it! And you. xxoo

4/2/2020 04:51:03 am

You and me both, Sue! I love Jesus Calling! :) And yes, He wants to hear ALL the details, even though He already knows. It's kind of like when my hubs and I have a conversation. Sometimes he tells me things I've already heard or already know about, or maybe he's even told me that before—but I just love to hear his voice so I allow him to go on speaking. If we truly love someone, we're going to want to hear their voice and God loves to hear ours! We should love to hear His too!

Rachelle link

4/24/2020 09:06:16 pm

Hi, I’m visiting from a link party - sorry, can’t remember which one!

I have a lifestyle blog and I do a series on Fridays called “Friday with Friends” The next one is scheduled for May 1st and is dealing with small things. I will be covering different topics in this post, and feel that this little book takes a look at anxiety from God’s view. I appreciate how you address the issue and what you wrote about it.

I would love to use a picture from your post about the book and link back to your site for my tribe to read the full post.

Please let me know if you are open to this.
You can view my blog at:
WWW.Myhubbardhome.com
And email me at Rachelle@myhubbardhome.com

Looking forward to hearing from you!
Rachelle Rubio
My Hubbard Home.com

3/8/2021 02:01:34 pm

Thank you so much, Rachelle! :)

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