Finding Peace: Surrendering Anxiety to God's Grace

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing Jesus' Open Invitation

God's grace is not hindered by our past failures or anxieties. He invites us to come to Him with confidence, knowing that He has a purpose for our lives that goes beyond our imperfections. This invitation is a call to experience the fullness of His love and the wonders He desires to work within us. It is an assurance that our mistakes are not the end of our story but can be the beginning of a deeper relationship with Him.

"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." (Matthew 11:28-29)

Reflection: How can you respond to Jesus' invitation today, and what steps can you take to approach Him with your imperfections? [07:40]

Day 2: Vulnerability Opens the Door to Healing

When we are vulnerable before God, we open ourselves up to His healing touch. Personal encounters with God often happen in our weakest moments, when we are open and honest about our struggles. It is in these times that God can speak profound truths into our lives, bringing forgiveness and healing that frees us from the burdens of the past.

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Reflection: What is one area of vulnerability you can bring before God today, and how can you create space to listen for His healing words? [49:06]

Day 3: Anxiety as an Opportunity for Growth

Anxiety and stress, rather than being mere obstacles, can be reframed as opportunities to grow closer to God. By viewing our struggles through this lens, we can approach Jesus with our anxieties and discover that He uses them to draw us nearer to Him, revealing His power and presence in our lives.

"Cast all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)

Reflection: What current anxiety can you present to Jesus as an opportunity for growth, and how can you actively trust Him with it today? [44:16]

Day 4: God's Grace in Our Failures

The story of Peter reminds us that God's grace is available even in our failures. Jesus' response to Peter's denial is a testament to God's desire to restore us and reaffirm His love, regardless of our shortcomings. This example encourages us to face our own failures with the knowledge that Jesus meets us with compassion and offers us a new purpose.

"And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, 'Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.' And he went out and wept bitterly." (Luke 22:61-62)

Reflection: Can you identify a recent failure and consider how Jesus might be offering you His grace and a fresh start today? [41:36]

Day 5: Prayer as a Pathway to Peace

Prayer is a powerful tool in the fight against anxiety. By bringing our requests to God with a heart of thanksgiving, we demonstrate our trust in Him. This act of faith can bring peace to our anxious hearts and establish a continual posture of dependence on God that transforms our daily lives.

"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)

Reflection: What specific worry can you commit to prayer today, and how can you incorporate thanksgiving into your petition to experience God's peace? [25:13]

Sermon Summary

In a heartfelt message delivered at Harbor Point Church, Jeff Pries shared a powerful narrative about the transformative power of God's grace and the hope that lies in surrendering our anxieties and past traumas to Jesus. He began by addressing the common human experience of stress, anxiety, and the feeling of losing control. Jeff emphasized that despite our shortcomings and the moments when life overwhelms us, Jesus invites us to run to Him, not away from Him. He reassured the congregation that Jesus has great things in store for each of us, and our mishaps do not disqualify us from His plans.

Jeff shared his personal struggle with anxiety, which stemmed from his baseball career. For 30 years, he lived with the anxiety that began during his time as a promising baseball player in college, where he faced the pressure of maintaining his performance despite a painful injury. This anxiety followed him even after his career ended, manifesting in simple tasks like trying to assume the pitching stretch position in his office.

A pivotal moment came during a men's retreat in Montana, where Jeff was encouraged to spend time alone with Jesus. Initially resistant, he found himself distracted by throwing pine cones at a tree. However, in a moment of vulnerability, he attempted to mimic his pitching stance with a pine cone and found himself overwhelmed by the same anxiety. In that moment of asking God for understanding, he received a profound response. God showed empathy for Jeff's past actions, which allowed him to forgive himself and release the trauma he had carried for decades.

Jeff's story illustrated that our past traumas can bring anxiety into our present, but they also present an opportunity to lean on Jesus and experience healing. He encouraged the congregation to see their anxiety and stress not as obstacles but as opportunities to go to God. By trusting in Jesus, we can diminish the power that anxiety has over us, even if it doesn't disappear completely.

The message also touched on the biblical figure of Peter, who experienced his own form of anxiety and stress. Jeff recounted the story of Peter's denial of Jesus, highlighting the intense emotional turmoil Peter faced leading up to that moment. Despite Peter's failure, Jesus did not condemn him but instead sought to reaffirm His love and Peter's role in His work. This narrative served as a reminder that Jesus understands our weaknesses and stands ready to offer His love and a fresh start.

Jeff concluded the message with a call to prayer, inviting the congregation to bring their anxieties and past traumas before God. He prayed for comfort, peace, and a touch from God that would change lives and lead to freedom from the bondage of anxiety.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV) — > "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

2. Mark 16:5-7 (NIV)
> "As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. 'Don’t be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, "He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you."'"

3. John 21:15-17 (NIV)
> "When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?' 'Yes, Lord,' he said, 'you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.' Again Jesus said, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' He answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Take care of my sheep.' The third time he said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, 'Do you love me?' He said, 'Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my sheep.'"

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Observation Questions

What does Philippians 4:6-7 instruct us to do when we feel anxious?
In Mark 16:5-7, what specific instruction does the angel give to the women at the tomb regarding Peter?
How does Jesus restore Peter in John 21:15-17, and what does He ask Peter to do?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul emphasizes prayer and thanksgiving as a response to anxiety in Philippians 4:6-7?
What is the significance of the angel specifically mentioning Peter in Mark 16:7? How might this have impacted Peter after his denial of Jesus? [41:36]
In John 21:15-17, why does Jesus ask Peter three times if he loves Him? What might be the purpose behind this repetition?

Application Questions

Reflecting on Philippians 4:6-7, how can you incorporate prayer and thanksgiving into your daily routine to combat anxiety? [25:13]
Jeff shared his personal struggle with anxiety stemming from his baseball career. Can you identify a past trauma or failure that still affects you today? How can you bring this to Jesus for healing? [49:06]
The angel's message in Mark 16:7 was meant to reassure Peter despite his failures. How can you remind yourself of God's grace and forgiveness when you feel overwhelmed by your mistakes? [41:36]
Jesus' restoration of Peter in John 21:15-17 shows that our failures do not disqualify us from His plans. How can you apply this truth to your own life, especially in areas where you feel inadequate or unworthy? [47:45]
Jeff mentioned that anxiety and stress can be opportunities to draw closer to God rather than obstacles. How can you reframe a current stressor in your life as an opportunity to lean on Jesus? [44:16]
In the sermon, Jeff talked about the importance of vulnerability and spending time alone with Jesus. What practical steps can you take this week to create space for a personal encounter with God? [49:06]
Jeff concluded with a call to prayer, inviting the congregation to bring their anxieties and past traumas before God. What specific anxiety or past trauma do you need to bring to God in prayer today? How can your small group support you in this? [56:04]

Sermon Clips

1) "I will never underestimate the power of anxiety and the brain and how it works. I have my story and in some way or another, you all have yours." [31:44] (Download)

2) "What if the next time you lean on Jesus is the time where something gets unlocked and you feel something or experience something that changes everything?" [54:39] (Download)

3) "It's amazing with the trauma of our past how it can bring anxiety and anxiousness to our present, but it does." [53:58] (Download)

4) "Maybe as you bring things to God, maybe that anxiety won't totally go away, but it will begin to have the power that it has over you diminished." [55:22] (Download)

5) "People approach Jesus through their anxiety. It is not an obstacle but an opportunity." [44:55] (Download)

6) "Jesus was saying, 'I have great things in store for you.' That does not disqualify you. I have great things in store for you." [47:45] (Download)

7) "What if our anxiety and our stress and our lameness is not an obstacle to God but it's actually an opportunity to go to him?" [55:22] (Download)

8) "Jesus wanted Peter to see that Jesus loved him but at the same time he wanted Peter to hear him say to Jesus that he loves Jesus." [46:19] (Download)

9) "God said back to me, 'Of course you did, Jeff. How could you not have?' And I heard that, and he wasn't scolding me, he was showing empathy to me." [53:13] (Download)

10) "I dealt my whole season like that, I dealt my whole six years in pro baseball like that, trying to get into the stretch." [31:04] (Download)

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