Seeds of Peace

“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”

Galatians 6:7

Spring has arrived with its verdant call to shake off sleep and come alive, and many New Englanders head outside to the warming soil with joy. This is the time of year we naturally contemplate roots, shoots, and fruits. One of the most common problems that affects our culture is definitely a root issue: anxiety. Like a fungus, it thrives in the dark, hinders growth, and damages a garden’s yield. But take heart—though the situation is serious, it is far from hopeless.

In order to enjoy healthy, fruitful inner gardens, we must get intentional with our daily decisions. Think of them as seeds; every moment provides an opportunity to weed out the old and sow something new. Do we want a harvest of quiet trust to replace a constantly frenzied spirit? Then we need to get our fingers in the dirt now, regardless of how we feel. Planting seeds of peace in the face of anxiety is an act of faith. Our concerns are real; but our God is more real. By choosing well, we proclaim the excellencies of the One who has overcome the world and its troubles.  

“Do we want a harvest of quiet trust to replace a constantly frenzied spirit? Then we need to get our fingers in the dirt now, regardless of how we feel. Planting seeds of peace in the face of anxiety is an act of faith.”

If anxiety has crept into the garden of your heart as a sort of root rot, here are some solid field-tested seeds of peace to begin scattering throughout your life:

Gospel Resources

• Write the Word: Anxiety by Cultivate What Matters

• JJ Heller’s Peaceful Songs for Anxiety playlist 

• Meditations for Anxiety by The Daily Grace Co.

• Calming Grace’s 30 Biblical Affirmations to Calm Anxiety and Fear

• Anxiety Interrupted by Rachel Dymski

• Edward Welch’s A Small Book for the Anxious Heart 

• Seven Reasons Not to Worry by Kevin DeYoung

• The Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation’s Anxiety Archive

Personal Tips 

• Find a good counselor: look for biblical soundness, practical wisdom, and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit

• Talk to your doctor: communicate openly about your symptoms and ask questions

• Recruit mat carriers: surround yourself with friends committed to bringing you to Jesus, no matter what (Mark 2:3-4)

• Set boundaries with angst: identify your triggers and get scrappy (turning off the news and taking a break from social media are always incredibly helpful here)

• Saturate your life in Scripture and prayer: now that the news and socials have been hushed, use that free time to nourish your soul in the Lord’s presence

• Establish healthy rhythms: take stock of your eating, moving, and sleeping habits, figure out what could use some work, set goals, and brainstorm next steps

• Pursue community within your church: sign up for a Bible study, small group, or recovery ministry* 

• Note red flags and have a plan ready: pay attention to what happens in your emotions, body, mind, and soul  at different stages of anxiety; then develop a personalized toolbox with strategies for each stage

• Move toward true sabbath rest: create margin in your schedule and get away with the Prince of peace, even if you have to start small

• Talk back to the enemy—and your own heart—with the Gospel: collect verses, poems, song lyrics, quotes, anything true and beautiful that wages war against anxiety, and dump it all into a journal or the Notes app on your phone; revisit it often

Of course this hard work will add to our own flourishing in due season, but there is also a larger kingdom benefit. One quick glance at the culture in which God has planted us will reveal what a gift we’re able to extend to others by providing a non-anxious presence. Let’s start cleaning up our inner gardens so that we might experience the fullness of joy and so that those around us can encounter the bounty of Christ. 

Note: If you suspect you may be dealing with clinical anxiety, please speak to a medical professional. The content of this post is intended to serve as a help and an encouragement, not as a diagnosis or an exhaustive (and exhausting) new law. 

*While local connections are ideal, many believers simply have no access to Gospel-centered recovery programs in person. If your church doesn’t offer such a ministry, look into the virtual re:generation pathway here. 

Kassie Prather is a church planting pastor’s wife in Putnam, CT. She desires to make much of Jesus through her blog www.dwell.place.