Worry and peace are two ends of a spectrum. I can find myself deeply imbedded in worry and at other times feel a profound sense of peace over the same issues that brought on the worry in the first place.

Throughout this season of job change, there has been a lot of worry. Worry about what is next: will I like the work, can I even find work, will I be challenged and excited for what’s next. Then some peace would drift in and I would move toward hopeful expectation. This was often followed by a drought in positions to apply for or a slew of rejection emails sending me right back into the worry. The worry and peace continuum continuing to move back and forth.

³⁴ “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. (Matthew 6:34 MSG).

⁶ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. ⁷ Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (I Peter 5:6-7 NIV).

I hold onto these scriptures. They remind me to cast my cares on God, and yet the worry persists. I would cast my cares and worry anyway. It might help in the moment but the oscillation wouldn’t stop. Until it did. The sense of peace that took over was profound, and it lasted for weeks. In fact it is still there even though the employment situation has not changed. I know without any doubt, I will be okay. I will find the right job. There will be a next chapter.

Why did it take so long to find lasting peace? I don’t know. I do know there was always a little bit of worry within my hope and expectation until I landed fully on the peace end of the continuum. I would guess many of us struggle to let go fully of worry and embrace peace. I simply know not to give up on hope and peace will come. God will lift us up in due time and in the meantime worry and peace stay connected.

Where are you on the continuum of worry and peace? Share your story here and breathe life and bring hope to others.