Finding Peace in Anxious Times – Bible Study

FINDING GOD’S PEACE IN ANXIOUS TIMES

Anxiety can creep into our hearts quietly or crash into our lives suddenly. It can be sparked by unexpected circumstances, ongoing pressures, or fears about the future. Even those who walk closely with God are not immune to its weight. Throughout Scripture we see men and women of faith who wrestled with fear and uncertainty, yet found strength and peace in God’s presence.

This study will take us through the story of Elijah’s exhaustion and God’s gentle restoration, Jesus’ clear teaching on worry, and a collection of powerful promises that help us break the chains of anxiety. Along the way, we will look at practical ways to shift our focus, hand our burdens over to God, stand on His promises, and walk in victory together.

The goal is not to pretend anxiety will never appear again, but to learn how to meet it with God’s truth, His peace, and His presence so that it loses its grip on our hearts.

TAKE HEART, EVEN THE PROPHET ELIJAH FELT THE WEIGHT OF FEAR AND ANXIETY

Before we see Elijah hiding in a cave and longing for God to take his life, we need to remember what just happened. In the previous chapter, he had faced 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, and God answered his prayer with fire from heaven, proving He alone is the true God. Yet soon after this great victory, Elijah was threatened by Queen Jezebel, overwhelmed with fear, and running for his life. His story reminds us that even the strongest believers can face deep discouragement, but God meets His people in their weakness, restores their strength, and calls them back into His purposes.

1 Kings 19:1–18
¹ Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. ² Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” ³ Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there. ⁴ But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” ⁵ And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” ⁶ And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. ⁷ And the angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, for the journey is too great for you.” ⁸ And he arose and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mount of God. ⁹ There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ¹⁰ He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” ¹¹ And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. ¹³ And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ¹⁴ He said, “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” ¹⁵ And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. ¹⁶ And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. ¹⁷ And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. ¹⁸ Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

How did Elijah go from a great victory in chapter 18 to running in fear?

How does God respond to Elijah’s fear and exhaustion?

Why do you think God chose a “gentle whisper” rather than dramatic displays of power to speak to Elijah?

How can you recognize when you are running away from fear instead of facing it with God’s help?

JESUS’ TEACHING ON ANXIETY

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke directly to the worries that so often consume our hearts. He did not dismiss the reality of our needs, but He called His followers to a deeper trust in their Heavenly Father’s care. In these verses, Jesus redirects our focus from anxious striving to confident faith, reminding us that God knows what we need and will provide.

Matthew 6:25–34
²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ²⁷ And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? ²⁸ And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, ²⁹ yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ³⁰ But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹ Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. ³⁴ “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Jesus says life is more than food and the body more than clothing. What “more” is He inviting you to focus on?

If you truly believed God will provide for your needs, what anxious thought would you release today?

How does seeking the Kingdom of God first take away your anxiety?

Jesus ends this section by telling us not to be anxious about tomorrow. How could focusing on today bring peace?

BREAKING THE CHAINS AND FINDING VICTORY OVER ANXIETY

God’s Word gives us more than encouragement, it offers practical steps for overcoming anxiety and walking in lasting peace. In this section, we will explore how to refocus our minds, bring every burden to God in prayer, stand firmly on His promises, and strengthen one another in community. These truths not only help us face moments of fear, they equip us to live in victory every day.

Reframe Your Focus

Colossians 3:1–2
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Isaiah 26:3-4

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

What does it practically look like to “set your mind on things above” in the middle of a stressful situation?

How do these verses challenge you?

Cast your Cares on God

Philippians 4:4–7
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand. Do not be anxious about anything, 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 your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:6–7
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Psalm 55:22
Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

How can thanksgiving change the way you bring your requests to God?

What anxieties do you need to deliberately hand over to Him today?

Stand on God’s Promises

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Psalm 94:19
When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.

Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

Which of these promises speaks most to your current fears?

How can you remind yourself of God’s peace when anxiety tries to return?

Walk in Victory Together

Hebrews 10:24–25
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Who has encouraged you in your walk with God during anxious times?

How can you be that encourager for someone else this week?

What is one specific step of faith or obedience you will take this week to walk in the peace and freedom God offers?

The God who restored Elijah is the same God who walks with you today. Let His gentle whisper quiet your heart, steady your steps, and remind you that you are not alone.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.