“I used to let anxiety run my day. Now, when I pause to chew on God’s love and presence, I find a peace that doesn’t make sense—but it’s real, even when life is hard.”
Why Anxiety and Stress Keep Coming Back
Whether it’s deadlines, family pressures, health concerns, or the constant buzz of notifications, anxiety and stress can feel like uninvited guests that never leave. Sometimes, we try to manage it by distraction, control, or simply pushing through. But true peace doesn’t come from escaping stress—it comes from inviting God’s presence right into the middle of it.
The CHEW on This™ framework is your invitation to experience God’s peace, not just when things are calm, but especially when life feels overwhelming.
How to CHEW for Peace in Anxious Moments
1. Confess—Be Honest About What’s Weighing on You
- “God, my mind is racing and my heart feels heavy.”
- “I’m worried about things I can’t control.”
- Brief Prayer: “Lord, I bring You my anxiety. Meet me with Your presence and peace.”
2. Hear—Let God’s Word Speak Calm Over Your Heart
- “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
- “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… will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)
- Brief Prayer: “Holy Spirit, remind me that You are near and that I am not alone.”
3. Exchange—Chew on a Peace-Filled Question
- “If I really believed God is with me in this anxiety, how would that change the way I face this moment?”
- “If I really believed God cares about what’s on my mind, how would that change my response to stress?”
- “If I really believed God’s peace is available right now, how would that change my thoughts and actions?”
- Brief Prayer: “Jesus, help me trust Your presence and receive Your peace, even when I feel anxious.”
4. Walk—Let Peace Guide Your Next Step
- Pause and take a deep breath, inviting God’s presence into your stress.
- Pray your chew question out loud or write it down.
- Share your anxiety with a trusted friend and ask them to pray for you.
- Do one thing that brings calm—step outside, listen to worship music, or simply be still.
- Brief Prayer: “Father, help me walk in Your peace, not just my own strength.”
Mini Story
“This morning, I woke up already anxious about a tough conversation at work. Instead of letting the worry spiral, I paused, whispered, “If I really believed God is with me, how would that change this moment?” I prayed, took a deep breath, and sensed a quiet strength that carried me through—not because the problem disappeared, but because I knew I wasn’t facing it alone.”
One-Day Focus: Peace in the Storm (Day 3 of the 7-Day CHEW Challenge)
Today, let your CHEW practice center on experiencing God’s presence and peace in whatever makes you anxious.
Pause at least three times—when stress rises, when your mind races, or when you need to reset.
Write down or share one moment when you noticed God’s peace breaking through your anxiety.
Invite a friend or family member to join you, and encourage each other to chew for peace throughout the day.
Ready for more?
Don’t stop here—continue your CHEW journey with the next blog in the series: “Restoring Relationships—Forgiveness, Patience, and Real Connection.” You can see our previous blog post here.
Transparency Note: This series is crafted in collaboration with advanced AI tools and thoughtfully finalized by the 1st Principle Group staff to ensure biblical faithfulness and practical relevance for our readers.
