by Grace Edwards
We live in a world brimming with worry from trials. If you’re ever short on anxiety, just turn on the TV and watch the news or any advertisement, or scroll through social media. Nearly every message is designed to stir up fear, insecurity, or a sense of lack.
I remember one of the hardest trials of my life—one so intense it threatened to destroy the two most sacred things in my life: My faith and my family. The pain was overwhelming, the lies unrelenting. As I was climbing out of that valley and preparing for the birth of my first child, I found myself fighting a new battle: overwhelming anxiety.
You see, the enemy doesn’t back off; he adapts. He switches up his game. He fires lies like, “You’re not worthy to be a parent,” or “You’ve made too many mistakes to raise a child in faith.” But something my childhood pastor once said has kept coming back to me:
“You hit what you focus on.”
He was talking about bowhunting, but the principle applies deeply to the Christian life. You can have all the right tools and support, but if your focus is off, you’ll miss the target. As believers, the center of our target should be Christ. Our purpose—through trials, suffering, and yes, even through childbirth and parenting—is to bring glory to God.
“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
Anxiety is one of the enemy’s favorite weapons. He knows just how to tailor the attack for each of us. But Jesus knew this would be our reality, and He gave us what we need to overcome it. He promised:
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
Christ’s promise is not for some shallow, momentary peace. Jesus gives us His peace—the same peace that steadied Him through betrayal, torture, and the cross. He also gave us the Holy Spirit:
“And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth… I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” John 14:16–18
God does not promise a life free from fear or trials, but He does promise His presence in the middle of it. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. We are not alone. We are not disqualified. We are not unequipped.
“Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6–7
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3
Jesus does not give us mere motivational phrases—He gives us spiritual weapons. The battle for being a peacemaker is won by fixing our focus, not on our past, not on our feelings, not on fear, but on Jesus—the Author and Finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:2
Prayer:
Father, thank You that in a world full of noise, fear, and distraction, You offer real peace—peace that guards my heart and steadies my soul. When anxiety comes in like a flood, help me to fix my eyes on You. Strengthen my faith. Remind me of Your promises. I surrender every fear and lie to You, and I receive Your truth: that I am not alone, not disqualified, and not without purpose. Help me to glorify You in every season—even when it’s hard. Fix my focus on You and the glorious purpose You have given me! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
My name is Grace and I am a born-again believer, author, singer, and ER nurse. I’m also the mother to a beautiful, medically complex child who teaches me daily about resilience, grace, and the power of God’s love.
My life is committed to sharing God’s Word and walking in obedience to Him. Whether I’m writing, singing, caring for others, or navigating motherhood, I strive to reflect Christ in everything I do. My recent journey has been anything but easy, but through every challenge, God has proven Himself faithful, and it’s a blessing to share that faithfulness with others.
