Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. A truer statement has never been said. Anxiety indeed weighs us down. Anyone who has ever felt anxiety (which is everyone) has felt the weight it puts on you. Anyone who consistently struggles with anxiety can tell you the weight of it can be near crippling at times. One of the ways I have dealt with anxiety in my own life is through words of affirmation. When I feel the weight of anxiety pulling me down I try to turn to things that are positive, words that are true, and words that can bring me joy. They may be words others have said to me or words I am saying to myself, but more often than not, they are words from God’s Word. I find His Word is far better than any words I can come up with myself. In addition to speaking kind words to yourself, you should consider sharing it with others. It is hard to be anxious or down hearted when you take the focus off of your own worries, stress, and anxieties by focusing on another. You may not realize just how uplifting it can be to them or how much it really matters. Not only should you give words of encouragement and kindness, but some Scripture references, too. We have gone over some already this month, among them Philippians 4:6. Today I challenge you to focus on someone else. Offer them the kind word they may need to hear to help them with the weight of anxiety. Not only will you be offering kindness to them, but you will feel the joy that comes from speaking positivity to another person. #TEENS4JESUS #t4jym #T4J #devotion #devotions #devotional #dailydevotional #dailydevotional #christianyouth #christianteens #christiangrowth #christiandevotion #DailyBibleVerse

Psalms 94:19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. What do you do when anxiety becomes great within you? If you are anything like me you probably drown in the emotions and stress of what feels unbearable. I admit I do not handle anxiety very well. I know how I SHOULD respond, but most of the time I don’t do those things. Hopefully this is not you. Take a look at the second half of the verse: “your consolation brought me joy.” Your consolation. Consolation is something provided to a person who has suffered, that makes them feel better. In this case, God is providing comfort that brings joy to someone suffering through anxiety. When facing anxiety our response should not be the emotional one. We should turn to Him and meditate on His Word. There is consolation in the promises in the Bible, peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Consolations cheer our souls when our hearts are overwhelmed (Psalms 94:19). We know we are not to be anxious and to give it to God (Philippians 4:6). We should be delighted knowing the peace of Christ rules within us (Colossians 3:15). Peter speaks of grace and peace that are abundantly ours (2 Peter 1:2). Plus there are so many more Scriptures offering hope to the downhearted. When anxiety creeps in, stop and pray. Do not let negative thoughts lead to anxiety. Stop them as soon as they enter your mind (2 Corinthians 10:5). Pray. Give them to God. Focus instead on the good in your life (Philippians 4:8). Think of all of the blessings He has rained down upon you. Knowing His Word helps remind you of these promises. Memorizing Scripture can help you quickly replace those negative thoughts with His promises. By doing this we can take comfort and experience joy from His consolations. You are a conqueror (Romans 8:37). You have the power, Christ’s power, to cast your anxieties far from you. He is always with us (Isaiah 43:2; Psalms 94:14) and always will be. Feel His loving arms wrapped around you. Feel the joy He gives as you are being consoled. #TEENS4JESUS #t4jym #T4J #devotion #devotions #devotional #dailydevotional #dailydevotional #christianyouth #christianteens #christiangrowth #christiandevotion #dailybibleverse

Here is the August Scripture Writing Plan. The goal is to write one verse per day. This can be done in a blank notebook, a journal, or in a monthly planner. Don’t just write the verse and then move on to something more. Spend time thinking about the verse, pray over it, and consider what it means to you. http://teens4jesus.org/.../upl.../2024/07/August-Anxiety.pdf #teens4jesus #t4jym #scripturewritingplan #scripture #scripturechallenge #scripturewriting #christianfaith #youthministry #christiangrowth