When Anxiety Creeps Out of Nowhere

Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus

I don’t know about you, but anxiety seems to have this sneaky way of creeping into our lives, sometimes when we least expect it. One minute, everything feels fine – you're getting things done, moving through your day – and then, out of nowhere, it hits. The heart racing, the mind spinning, the chest tightening. It’s like a shadow that comes without warning, reminding you of all the uncertainties that you try to push aside.

I’ve been there more times than I care to admit. It’s in those moments, the ones where you feel like you’re spiraling, that I’ve learned the most important thing isn’t to fight the anxiety on my own, but to shift my focus to Jesus. The truth is, I can’t carry it all – the fear, the worry, the endless “what ifs.” But I know who can.

Anxiety has a way of distorting our vision. It makes everything seem so much bigger than it is. What starts as a small concern can snowball into overwhelming fear if we let it. But Jesus? He’s the calm in the middle of our storm. When Peter walked on water towards Jesus, it was when he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the wind and the waves that he started to sink. And honestly, isn’t that just like us? We let our eyes drift from Jesus to our problems, and suddenly, we’re sinking too.

I wish I could tell you that I’ve mastered this – that I always keep my eyes fixed on Him and never let anxiety take over. But the truth is, I’m still learning. Some days, I feel like I’m walking on water, trusting fully in God’s strength. Other days, the waves feel too big, and I start to sink. The beautiful thing is that even when I do, Jesus doesn’t let me drown. He’s always there, reaching out, ready to lift me up again.

So what can we do when anxiety sneaks in? We breathe. We pray. We remind ourselves of His promises. Because God’s promises are more powerful than our fear. When the world feels chaotic and overwhelming, God’s peace is steady. When our thoughts race a hundred miles an hour, God’s voice is gentle, calling us to rest in Him. His Word tells us, "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). I love that – He cares for us. Deeply, intimately, fully. In our mess, in our panic, He cares.

One thing I’ve learned is that our struggles with anxiety don’t disqualify us from God’s love or His grace. We don’t need to be "perfectly peaceful" to come to Him. He wants us, messy feelings and all. In fact, it’s in those very moments of weakness that His strength shines brightest. We don’t need to hide our anxiety from Him or feel ashamed when we struggle. Instead, we can bring it to Him, knowing He is faithful to carry us through.

If you’re feeling that weight today, like anxiety is creeping up and trying to steal your peace, I encourage you to take a deep breath and remind yourself of the One who holds your life in His hands. He’s not distant. He’s not unaware. He sees you, right where you are, and He’s calling you to let go of what you’re carrying and rest in Him. Fix your eyes on Jesus, and even in the middle of the storm, you’ll find the peace that passes all understanding.

Because, sweet friend, anxiety may come – but Jesus remains!!