Jerusha: I’m so excited to welcome my dear friend, Stephanie M. Gammon, back to the FW Blog! I’m especially thrilled because Stephanie just released her debut romantic suspense novel and is offering a free print copy to one of you! So read on and leave a comment below to enter the giveaway!
By Stephanie M. Gammon
After finishing the final edits on my novel, Treacherous Mountain Investigation, I downloaded a copy of the manuscript to my phone’s narration app so that I could “read” through it one last time before submitting it to my editor.
I had a long drive from to Colorado Springs and it seemed the perfect time to lose myself in the story. But, as the surreal flatness of Kansas gave way to the looming Rocky Mountains, I was hit with a hard truth. My heroine, Liz, was struggling through the same challenges that I was facing.
I guess that is one of the most beautiful things about writing. You can wrestle through hard truths via fictional worlds. As Kansas disappeared and I headed further into the Colorado beauty I had chosen as the setting for my book, I could hear the echoes of my own hurt, anger, and wounded pride through Liz’s voice.
And one feeling that flavored both of our actions was anxiety.
Anxiety because something catastrophic had happened in our lives. Anxiety because that situation had not been resolved. Anxiety because we were worried about how our pain would affect our future.
That anxiety had a very predictable, but sinful, outcome. We lost sight of Jesus as our eyes turned inward to our own cares.
What does the Bible say about anxiety?
…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. – Philippians 4:6-7
The word Paul uses here for anxious is merimnaō. This means to be anxious, to be troubled with cares, and to seek to promote one’s interests.
Considering the fact that many believe the synoptic gospels were not written until after Paul’s letters, it’s interesting that Paul’s writing complements Jesus’s own merimnaō teaching in Matthew 6:25-34 perfectly.
Anxiety, despair, and fear happen. They will keep on happening until Jesus comes to get us. But both Jesus and Paul point us down a practical path of submission where we can trustingly release our grasp on control and ask God to take over.
What does that path look like?
The Path of Surrender
1. Realize each day has its own problems to deal with.
Don’t borrow from tomorrow. Face today’s worry and deal with it.
Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. – Matthew 6:34
2. Agree with God that your internal and external hashing of the situation is useless.
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? – Matthew 6:27
3. Acknowledge God sees your circumstances.
He isn’t surprised by your needs, and He already has a plan in place to take care of them.
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. – Matthew 6:31-32
4. Meditate on truths that are bigger than your situation.
Jesus and Paul acknowledge we have needs and concerns, but they are saying, “Wait! Get your eyes off the problem. Think about this…”
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? […] And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? – Matthew 6:26 & 6:28-30
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.– Philippians 4:8
5. Let go and rest in God’s peace.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:7
Present your anxiety to God. Let Him know what you need. Thank him for His help. Rest in His peace.
Do you have a habit of worry or a habit of surrender? Do you struggle to present all your fears to God and trust Him to care for you?
In Treacherous Mountain Investigation, Liz eventually learned to submit her fear and move into trust. But I have to admit, this is a lesson God graciously continues to teach me as I walk down the path of surrender.
Do you struggle with anxiety? How have you learned to surrender that fear to God? Please share!
Photos by Karsten Würth, Lili Popper, Alice Donovan Rouse, and Aleksandra Boguslawska, Original graphics designed by Jerusha Agen.
Stephanie M. Gammon fell in love with romantic suspense as a Sherlock-obsessed girl with bookshelves full of Grace Livingston Hill novels. She’s been writing ever since.
With the distinction of finaling in ACFW’s 2017 First Impressions contest under romantic suspense and placing third for RWA’s 2019 Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, Stephanie writes stories laced with suspense and heart. Her debut novel, Treacherous Mountain Investigation is on sale now
Living in Cincinnati with her police lieutenant husband, four kids, two dogs, and one sassy parakeet, Stephanie owns a professional writing business and spends her free time learning and blogging about Jesus.
Connect with Stephanie at her website or on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Stephanie is giving away one free print copy of her new romantic suspense novel, Treacherous Mountain Investigation, to one of you! Simply leave a comment below for your chance to win! (Giveaway ends September 14, 2020. Winner must have continental U. S. mailing address.)
TREACHEROUS MOUNTAIN INVESTIGATION
A journalist’s job could get her killed…
Years ago, Elizabeth Hart took down a human trafficking ring in the Rocky Mountains with a single blog post—and now someone wants revenge. But her ex-fiancé, Officer Riggen Price, won’t let anyone hurt her or his newly discovered son.
With the threats only escalating, can Liz trust the man who broke her heart…and live to give their family a second chance?
Comments 26
Great truths to keep in mind – especially this year with so much uncertainty. Great post!
Thank you, Deanna. 2020 is definitely providing us with the opportunity to trust him more!
Thanks for sharing. Such a rich selection of Scripture! One of the first passages I memorized was Phil 4:6-7…I’ve needed that all of my life.
Isn’t it a wonderful set of verses. I’m right there with you!
I love those reminders! It’s exactly what you need to hear or read when your stress or anxiety are high. We don’t face this life alone, nor have we ever. Through the highs and lows God is right there with you! I would love to read Treacherous Mountain Investigation it sounds quite suspenseful!
Great reminder that we are never alone, Nancy. And thanks! I’d love to share Liz and Riggen’s story with you!
Thank you for sharing. My anxiety is very high since becoming my mom’s full time caregiver. It’s hard trying to make her happy in her present circumstances.
Lelia, thank you for sharing what you are facing right now. I’ll be sure to keep you and your mother in my prayers. May the peace of God surround you in this time, more and more as you focus on his provision.
Thank you! With school starting up again, and two teens returning to campus, anxiety is high right now with the 15 year old girl. The 17 year old boy is fine. I will use these each day as I quietly pray over both of them and my sweet husband.
I’ll be praying for you, Marianne. I’m blessed that you can use these in your quiet time.
Thank you so much.
Thank you for pointing to these Bible verses to deal with anxiety. The fact that nothing is a surprise to God, the Creator of the universe!) is so comforting.
Isn’t it, Caroline? I love to rest in the fact that no matter what, God is in control.
Thanks for sharing I suffer from severe anxiety this article was nice to read
Danielle, I will be praying for your anxiety. May the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
Awe thank you so much I have never had anyone pray for me 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway, Stephanie! I loved Grace Livingston Hill as a girl, too, and Sherlock Holmes came a bit later.
So nice to meet a fellow Hill lover!
Great truths and quotes. I’m a bullying survivor so to get through that I had to surrender my worry to God. Also found the best way to to overcome daily is say many prayers to God. Trust me I know, it does help. When God tells us to cast all our burdens upon Him he means it. He will get us through.
Please enter me in the drawing.
Hope I Win.
Thank you, Crystal for your encouraging words. I’ll be praying for peace for you.
I love books like this. I hope I get a chance to read and review print copy.
My path to surrender and getting rid of worry is talking to God multiple times daily. He got me through me being bullied so I know He will help me and also help you if you ask.
Thank You for chance to win.
Hope I win.
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Amelia!
The premise of your book sounds wonderful and exciting. 😮 Your post was much appreciated during a time of extremely high stress with a couple of unusual, important projects I’m helping my mom out with. I’ll pass everything on to her to read as well. Thank you. I’m keeping my 🤞🏻 to win the contest! Congratulations on this debut suspense novel of yours!! 🎉🍾🥂
Thank you, Venetia. I’ll be praying that God brings you peace as you navigate this time in your life.
Author
Congratulations, Venetia! You’re the randomly selected winner of Stephanie Gammon’s, Treacherous Mountain Investigation! I’ll contact you via email with more details. Thanks for joining the conversation!