7-day plan: Peace and Anxiety
God invites us to let go of worry and rest in his care and in the peace Jesus gives.
One passage a day, with a question to think it over. Your progress stays on this device, no account needed.
Day 1 · Do not be anxious
Jesus points to the birds and the lilies: the Father knows what they need
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky: they do not sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns, and your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And which of you, by worrying, can add a single cubit to his span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they do not labor nor spin; yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into an oven, will he not much more clothe you, you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For all these things the nations seek after; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:25–34 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Jesus says not to worry about tomorrow (v. 34). What worry could you hand to the Father today?
Day 2 · Cast your anxiety on him
Peter asks us to cast all our anxiety on God, because he cares about you
casting all your anxiety on him, because he cares about you.
1 Peter 5:7 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Which word or phrase stays with you, and why?
Day 3 · The peace of the Messiah
Jesus leaves his peace with the disciples, unlike the peace the world gives
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled nor afraid.
John 14:27 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Jesus says, “Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid” (v. 27). What troubles you today, and how could you place it in his hands?
Day 4 · Resting in God
YHWH as shepherd: pastures, waters of rest, and his presence in the dark valley
A psalm of David. YHWH is my shepherd; I will lack nothing. In pastures of grass he makes me lie down; beside waters of rest he leads me. He brings back my soul; he guides me along tracks of righteousness for the sake of his name. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You lay out before me a table in front of my adversaries; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only good and loyal love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will return to the house of YHWH for length of days.
Psalms 23:1–6 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
What does it invite you to do today, even something small?
Day 5 · Do not be anxious
Jesus says not to worry about food or clothing: God feeds the ravens
And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. Consider the ravens, that they do not sow nor reap; they have no storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them. How much more are you worth than the birds! And which of you by worrying can add a cubit to the length of his life? If then you cannot even do the least thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Luke 12:22–26 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Jesus says where our treasure is, our heart will be too (v. 34). What takes most of your time and attention today?
Day 6 · Cast your anxiety on him
David urges us to cast our burden on YHWH, who sustains
Cast upon YHWH your burden, and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be moved.
Psalms 55:22 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
What would you like to say to God after reading it?
Day 7 · The peace of the Messiah
Jesus announces affliction in the world, yet gives courage: he has overcome
I have spoken these things to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have affliction; but take courage: I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 · Read the whole chapterTo think about
Jesus says, “In the world you have affliction, but take courage” (v. 33). What difficulty today can you face with that peace?