How to deal with anxiety - Make Room for Peace

Sunday, December 7th

Happy Sunday! This week we're making room for Peace. Take a moment to listen to this week's sermon and reflect on the parents of Jesus as they find peace in the midst of scandal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gFSLjYVc0o

Reflect:

God chooses to use Mary for God's purposes, and yet Mary repeatedly gives thanks for being an instrument for God's work.

• When have you been thankful to be a part of something that put good into the world, even when it was for others' benefit and not your own?

Share with your community: What was your takeaway from this week's sermon?

Monday, December 8th

Today’s Practice: Thankfulness

Write down things that you are thankful for. It can be a long list or a short list. Try for maybe ten at least.

These can be people, possessions, work, financial

security, anything, concrete or abstract.

Now, write down things you wish you had. Compare.

How long is each list? Are you thankful for more, or are you wanting more?

Name things out loud with your household (the things you’re comfortable saying).

If you are alone, think about the importance of the things on each list. Which list has things that are more needed to thrive?

Honestly, I have friend and family support for which I’m thankful. Do I want a supercar? Yeah. But I have been given the important things. And if my home, (normal) car, and savings are all

destroyed, I’m thankful that I have people who will love me and take care of me. For that love, and the love of God, I’m the most thankful.

Scripture

1 Corinthians 10:30-31

If I partake with thankfulness, why should I be denounced because of that for which I give thanks? So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17-19:

Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the

will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.

1 Chronicles 16:8-9:

O give thanks to the Lord, call on God’s name, make known his deeds

among the peoples. Sing to the Lord, sing praises to God; tell of all God’s wonderful works.

Challenge

That’s right, challenge. For each person you talk to this week, try to express thanks for something. It can be thanks to God for providing life, resources, and love. It can be thanks for your community, for the values they uphold. It can be for that person in particular—what they add to your life.

Prayer

[This is my prayer, but change the words to match your true feelings. Be your authentic self!]

God, help me to be sincere in my gratitude. Sometimes I think too much about the things I want and forget about how blessed you’ve made me. Help me to remember the people you’ve sent me more so than the possessions I desire. Help me to give more to the Body of your Church, your people, than to demand for myself.

Amen.

Tuesday, December 9th

Troubleshooting Peace

Something that strikes me about peace is how often I think I've got it figured out. And then suddenly something goes wrong and my peace seems to go with it.

Finding peace all on my own often feels like a shifting goal post as if the rules change on a day-by-day basis and I'm never really sure how to deal with anxiety when it does end up hitting me because I'd become so comfortable with it that I'd stopped looking for it.

I've found in my observations, often when it feels like my peace is disrupted, it's because I've started attributing my peace to the wrong things.

I'll start to get anxious about my work when I start focusing on making people happy rather than why I'm doing the work in the first place.

I'll get overwhelmed when my peace starts to rest externally--contingent on people, places and things rather than internally.

Recently, I went grocery shopping I don't generally enjoy the act of getting stuck behind a mom and three children blocking an isle but there is a solitude to grocery shopping that, for me, can be peaceful. There are no external expectations of me other than to exist. The time when no one expects me to reply, turn something in, do something, make something, write something or complete something is refreshing. I get time to process my thoughts and it becomes a sort of strange fluorescent-and-linoleum-filled meditation.

However, this time, I found my self getting more and more anxious and existential as I went through the isles. Nothing had happened, but that time to reset was being filled with all the thoughts of things I hadn't done, things I might need to do in the future and all the things that could go wrong.

What became clear to me is that my definition of peace had become external instead of being within my heart and mind.

-Kiersten

Today’s Practice

While it's healthy to ensure our sense of self, confidence and assuredness are rooted in our own selves and not on other people, true peace only rests with Christ in us.

So today, I'm going to give a challenge that's very hard for a lot of people--including myself.

Stop.

Just for a few minutes. I want us all to stop. Stop doing. Stop thinking. Stop speaking. Stop worrying. Stop expecting.

I want you to close your eyes and clear your mind. Focus your attention on breathing in and out. Doesn't matter how long you hold your breath or let it out, just follow your body's natural rhythm and draw your focus on the pattern of "in" and "out."

(Relax your shoulders and unclench your jaw.)

Now, don't worry about the formality of prayer but begin an internal dialogue with yourself and God and ask God to center you with peace again. To explore a little further, ask God to show you your sense of peace. Begin shaping what peace looks like in your mind. Is it something physical or maybe it's something more abstract. Is God showing you a simple word ? Maybe it's just an abstract thought you're being drawn to.

Ask God to show you the parts of you that struggle the most with peace, and the parts that you can rely on in moments of upheaval.

I want you to take this internal representation of peace and in your mind, place it deep in your core. This lives here because Christ lives here. In moments where you struggle with peace, come back to this image and remember to breath. Peace has not moved or left, you just have to take a moment to look for it again.

Scripture for Today

Isaiah 26:3:

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

A Thought to Hold

There's a saying "If you don't take the time to schedule maintenance on your equipment, your equipment will schedule it for you."

This applies to you as well.

If you don't take the time to find peace, address your overwhelm & maintain your well-being--your body, mind & spirit will eventually make the time when you can no longer keep pushing it aside and it bubbles over.

Discussion Question

If you feel comfortable sharing, share what your peace looked like in your mind.

If that too intimate to share or you want to share additionally, offer one tip for calming yourself down in times of unrest to help your community recenter.

Prayer

God, my true peace lies in you. Remind me in moments of overwhelm that because there is room in my spirit for you, there is room in my spirit for peace. I pray for help in finding that peace and if I lose sight of Your peace, please show me the direction to look so that I may rest my eyes only on you and your peace.

Wednesday, December 10th

Advent is a season of preparing room for Jesus — not just in our spiritual life, but in our physical life too.

And I’ll be honest: peace is the hardest practice for me.

I have a difficult time slowing down.

Stillness makes me feel unproductive.

When life is full, peace can feel like something I’ll “get to later.”

But here’s what I’m learning:

My body doesn’t experience peace as optional. It experiences peace as essential.

When I don’t slow down, my body reacts; not emotionally, but physically.

My shoulders tense.

My breath shortens.

My heart rate climbs.

My patience thins.

My sleep gets disrupted.

My creativity dries up.

And I lead from effort instead of overflow.

This isn’t about personality.

This is physiology.

God designed our bodies with a “rest and restore” system, the parasympathetic response, a built-in pathway back to grounding and clarity.

A deep breath can lower stress hormones.

Stillness can calm the nervous system.

Slowing down can help the brain reset.

Peace isn’t inefficiency.

Peace is how God created our bodies to come back to life.

As worship leaders, this matters.

Before we help others encounter God, we need space for God to settle our own hearts and bodies.

People don’t follow only the songs we sing; they follow the peace we carry.

So tonight, as we light the candle of Peace, remember:

You are not wasting time when you slow down.

You are giving your body what God designed it to need.

You are making room for Christ to restore you at the level of breath and bone.

~ Aaron Bostwick

Today’s Practice: “Peace in My Breath, Peace in My Body”

1. Light your candle of Peace.

Let the flame be a reminder: peace is restoration.

2. Play this song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW6xcmqfiY4

Let the music set a pace gentler than your week.

3. Place one hand on your chest and one on your stomach.

Inhale through your nose for 4.

Hold for 2.

Exhale for 6.

This long exhale is how your body tells your nervous system:

“You’re safe.”

Heart rate lowers.

Muscles release.

Your mind quiets.

Your system shifts into peace.

4. As the song plays, pray this simple phrase with your breath:

“Christ, bring peace to my body.”

5. When the song ends, finish this sentence:

“Today, I’m making room for peace in…”

Scripture for Today

“My peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled.” — John 14:27

Jesus offers peace that reaches our actual bodies, not just our thoughts.

A Thought to Hold

When we don’t choose peace, our bodies choose tension.

When we make space for peace, our bodies remember how to rest.

Family / Team Question

Where does your body show stress the most?

How might Christ’s peace meet you there?

Prayer

God of Peace,

You know how quickly we move and how rarely we pause.

Teach us to receive Your peace in our bodies, not just our minds.

Slow our breath, soften our tension,

and restore us with the peace only You can give.

Amen.

Thursday, December 11th

Jesus spent so much time showing us how to live in community and love others. There is a marked difference between scriptures which prophesy Christ’s coming and future actions, and the way that people of faith responded to His conception, birth, teachings, life, death, resurrection, and further lessons.

Scripture

“The Lord says: ‘It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.’”

– Isaiah 49:6

“And if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday.”

– Isaiah 58:10

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

– Romans 15:13

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

– Hebrews 10:24-25

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.”

– 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

Challenge

It has always been emphasized in our scriptures that we are to take care of the needy and worship God. But Jesus’ life was an example of how to live in community with others. Think about what God must have wanted from us if we are told that we need each other—that we are supposed to

need each other. It’s not like God changed, but our understanding of how to worship changed from the moment Christ was conceived.

During Advent, observe how your loved ones work together. You don’t do everything. You can’t. Your mom might. No, but really—one person is not supposed to be everything in the Body. Even in Genesis 2, God said, “It is not good for this man to be alone.” Depend on each other.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, help me bear your fruits.

Help me to know the gifts you’ve given me.

Help me to know others who bear the gifts I lack

And make them my sister and brother

So we glorify you in our actions together.

Amen.

Friday, December 12th

I love Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-55. Every year, I am struck by her ability to be still, despite knowing something is on the way that will change her life forever. She reflects on the past and all that has come to pass, expressing immense gratitude to God for making her a part of the story. She could have been dwelling in fear, but found power in stillness and gratitude. Wow.

This scripture makes me think of a song by Hope Darst, “Peace Be Still”. The phrase comes from a story of Adult Jesus in Mark 4 (below for reference). The song expresses that strength in stillness and gratitude - the peace that comes from trusting God despite being surrounded by things that could make us afraid or uneasy. My prayer is that when we are surrounded by storms that could make us uncomfortable and feel dread for the future, that we would be filled with the quiet strength and gratitude of Mary, knowing that God is in control of our present situation and our future.

-Andrew Raney

Today’s Practice

Listen to “Peace be Still” by Hope Darst. Take a few minutes to listen to the lyrics. Imagine this as Mary’s prayer in the weeks after she learns of her role in God’s plan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsIpGiz3SfQ

Scripture for Today

Luke 1:46-55

 And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

Mark 4:39 

The boat Jesus and the disciples were traveling in was battered by storm. The disciples were afraid for their lives, so they woke Jesus asking if he even cared that they were going to drown. 

“He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.”

A Thought to Hold

There is power in stillness. I can reflect with thanks on what has already come to pass, and know that God will give me strength to face what storms surround me.

Family Question

What storms are surrounding us? How have we seen God work in similar situations in the past? 

Prayer

God of Peace,

Grant me the gratitude and faith of Mary’s song. May I be thankful for how you have already led me through storms and strength to be still and trust you to move throughout my current circumstances.

Share With Your Community

If you are comfortable, share a “storm” you are facing right now and how you have seen God work in a similar situation in the past. Others may benefit from hearing your experience!

Saturday, December 13th

Peace Before the Gathering

Saturdays hold a strange kind of tension.

We try to rest, but our minds are already reaching for the week ahead.

We want quiet, but the noise of unfinished tasks keeps tugging at our thoughts.

We long for peace, but it feels just out of reach.

Sometimes the place we encounter that peace most clearly is when we gather in worship; not because everything in our life has settled, but because we choose to bring our unsettled selves into the presence of God together.

Peace rarely arrives when we feel perfectly prepared.

Peace often arrives on the way; in the showing up, in the listening, in the shared breath of community worship.

Tomorrow, when we gather as a church to celebrate JOY, we’re not gathering because we’ve mastered peace.

We’re gathering because we need it.

We gather because:

• peace grows when we sing it together,

• peace becomes louder when we hear Scripture spoken aloud,

• peace becomes tangible when we stand shoulder-to-shoulder,

• peace becomes contagious when one person’s stillness steadies another.

Peace is a communal inheritance; a gift God shares with us as we share life with each other.

So today, let this be your grounding thought:

You don’t have to feel peaceful to walk toward peace.

You only have to take the next faithful step.

And tomorrow, that step is worship.

I hope you’ll join us; not out of obligation, but because there is something sacred God wants to give you when you gather. Something you may not fully receive on your own.

Peace rarely comes in isolation.

Peace comes in the community Christ forms.

~ Aaron Bostwick

Today’s Practice : “Make Space for Peace Tomorrow”

1. Light your candle of Peace.

Let its glow remind you that peace is not a mood; it is a presence.

2. Sit quietly for one minute.

Ask yourself gently:

“What am I hoping God will speak to me in worship tomorrow?”

Don’t try to craft a perfect answer.

Let whatever rises be enough.

3. Pray this simple Saturday prayer:

“God of Peace, prepare my heart to meet You in community tomorrow.

Give me the courage to show up as I am,

and the openness to receive what You have for me.”

Scripture for Today

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” — Colossians 3:15

Peace isn’t a solo calling.

It’s a shared one.

A Thought to Hold

Peace deepens when we receive it together.

Tomorrow’s gathering isn’t just a service —

it’s a place where God shapes peace in us as a people.

Discussion Question

What often keeps you from receiving peace — and how might gathering with others help open your heart?

Prayer

God of Peace,

meet us in this Saturday space,

settle our restlessness,

and prepare us for whatever You want to give us tomorrow.

Draw us toward worship with expectancy and trust,

and let Your peace meet us there.

Amen.