Finding Peace in the Middle of Anxiety — Carol McLeod Ministries

A Note from Carol: One of the greatest joys of my ministry is introducing you to voices that inspire us to love Jesus more deeply. Today, I’m honored to share Amber Albee Swenson with you—an author, podcaster, and woman of unwavering faith. Amber has walked through seasons of pain, uncertainty, and surrender, yet she has seen God’s faithfulness woven through it all. In her writing, she invites us to let go of worry, trust God’s provision, and find confidence in Christ alone. Her words remind us that while life can feel overwhelming, God’s peace truly does guard our hearts and minds when we rest in Him.

There have been times I couldn’t see God’s hand at work in my life. There were many times I didn’t know how God would work things for good. There were even times I wondered if God really was with me because my life was a mess and I couldn’t see what I wanted his presence to look like.

But as I look back, he was at work. He continues to use what was meant to harm me for good. He was with me and provided for me in amazing and sometimes mysterious ways.

He put the right people in my life at the right times. And every time he did that in the past, he proved his faithfulness to me. That means I can trust him in the future, even when I can’t see him and even when I don’t understand his ways.

And when I trust God, it’s harder to worry. Not that Satan and his army of angels aren’t there taunting and tempting. They are. And sometimes I fall into worry, just as I fall into negative self-talk and doubting my worth in Christ. But more and more I recognize where the worry is coming from, just like I recognize where the negative self-talk is coming from. And sometimes I say out loud, “You are faithful, God. You were with me in the past. You’ll be with me in the future.” The more I say it, the more I believe it. And that’s what God wants for you too.

That’s why he said through the apostle Paul: “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” (Philippians 4:6,7).

God wants his peace to stand guard around your heart and mind. His peace is like a bouncer that doesn’t let anxiety in. When you worry about what the doctor will say, his peace stands with arms folded, shaking his head. When trepidation about the myriad of issues facing your kids tries to sneak in, God’s peace points you to 1 Peter 5:7: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

You are not meant to carry anxiety, trepidation, worry, and fear. God has big shoulders. He can carry all that you can’t. He already knows the diagnosis. He already knows what your children will face, now and even after you’re gone. That’s why you can pray without ceasing. Pray prayers for God to carry your children until they are home. In my family, we pray to walk with God all the days of our lives. I don’t just want my children to follow God now. I want them in heaven with me for eternity. I pray for God to put godly people in my children’s lives always and for them to be the godly influences others need . . . not just now but with every breath.

It took several painful seasons, but I’ve learned that only the Holy Spirit can change hearts and lives, and I can’t convince anyone of my worth. Some people just won’t like me. As much as I may want to see change, very often my words fall on deaf ears. My actions can be misconstrued. My efforts can go unnoticed and at times can even be mislabeled and misjudged. If I’m honest, those situations are the ones that bring the most worry and anxiety into my life.

For my husband, it was a job that no matter how hard he worked, it only continued to get more stressful. Try as he might, the demands continually went up with little support.

For both of us, the day finally came when our health, mental and physical, was suffering because of the situations. I needed to leave things I didn’t want to leave. Steve needed a different job.

There are so many things that cause dread and anxiety in this world. But I have learned the importance of knowing and believing we have options. Too often we stay in situations hoping and praying for change instead of realizing the change we need is to get out of the situation. Full stop. Read that again.

If you are the object of your spouse’s abuse and cower every night until he or she falls asleep, my guess is any time you are in the same room as that spouse, your anxiety is high. God doesn’t expect you to stay there being abused. Look for the people who can help you find a way out.

I would have loved for the situations I was in to change, but the only change that occurred was from bad to worse. The same was true with Steve’s job. And eventually I realized the anxiety I carried—for me about saying the next wrong thing to set someone off and for Steve walking into work every day knowing there was no way for him to do his job well—is a weight that makes every day a struggle until the situation changes.

When the situation changes, then the weight and anxiety are gone. That’s not to say they’re gone forever. There was a lot of anxiety every time I ran into one of the people who made my life hard. My body reacted when people unknowingly said things about not trying hard enough or walking away instead of working it out or about submitting to authority. I believe in submitting to authority. But I also believe it is an abuse of power to use the power you’ve been given as a club to beat down someone who points out flaws you don’t want to address.

So often there aren’t easy answers. Not everyone can leave a job, especially when they have 30 years in and they’re at the top of the pay scale. Leaving would mean starting over. I get it. It can be complicated to leave the situation when children and money are wrapped up in it.

But difficult and complicated are not the same as impossible.

Amber Albee Swenson has authored several books and is a regular blogger and podcaster for Time of Grace Ministry. In her latest book, The Key to Confidence, she reveals that when you realize where your true confidence comes from—Jesus Christ—nothing will be able to hold you back.

On this week’s episode, I have the joy of sitting down with Amber Albee Swenson, a woman whose passion for God’s Word and love for His people shines so brightly. Together, we talk about how to live faithfully in a culture that often feels confusing, what it means to stay rooted in truth, and the joy of finding your purpose in Christ. Amber shares her story with honesty and wisdom, and I know her insights will strengthen your faith and encourage your heart.