Anxiety, Our Need for Peace, and God’s Offer of Peace

Romans 15:13 (ESV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Introduction

Joy and peace are interrelated. 

It's difficult to rejoice when you are not at peace.

Even if you try to have fun and make yourself happy, if you don’t have inner peace, your joy will only last for a moment. 

May ilan akong kilala na mahilig magjoke, they make people happy with their jokes, pero they admit na pinapasaya lang nila ang sarili nila. Deep inside they are desperate to have peace in their mind and heart due to many trials they are facing. 

Therefore, I believe, where there is peace, there is joy. 

There is no peace war and there is no joy in it. 

1400 na ang total deaths and thousands were injured dahil sa Iran, Israel, and US ongoing conflict. A 32-year-old caregiver from Pangasinan was killed in Israel on March 1, 2026, by shrapnel from an Iranian missile strike. 

Proverbs 12:20 ESV …those who plan peace have joy.

Pinaplano mo ba ang makipagpayapaan para malubos ang kagalakan?

Do you want peace of mind and joy in your heart? 

The church in Rome (Paul’s contemporary) was robbed of joy and peace. 

Ninanakaw ni Satanas ang joy and peace sa church sa Rome. How did Satan steal their joy and peace? Out of his craftiness, Satan made them fight over their opinions, and take pride in their knowledge, and judge each other, and then grudges and indifference or lack of concern began to develop, and they ignored one another until they didn't realize their unity as a church had been compromised. 

Walang tunay na kapayapaan at kagalakan sa isang church na puro kampihan! 

This is what Paul was dealing with in our text beginning with Romans 14. Pagkatapos ng words of rebuke and instruction, tinapos ni Paul ang subject matter in chapter 15:13 with a doxology and a prayer, May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace…

Paul was praying for what they are lacking–joy and peace! At ang kanyang prayer ay magumapaw sa kanila ang joy and peace na nanggagaling sa Dios. 

Like Paul, it is my prayer that God would pour out in our church and in our hearts an overflowing joy and peace!

Romans 15:13 (ESV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Now allow me to clarify the words, “in believing“

What does Paul mean by this? 

Dito ay hindi lang ina-affirm ni Paul ang kanyang audience na sila ay believers in Jesus Christ. Paul emphasizes that in our journey as a community of faith, we never stop believing in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Listen mga kapatid, faith in God is not just a one-time-act. Ang pananampalataya natin kay Jesus ay continuous and unstoppable until our last breath or until His coming again! 

Nung first time na naipreach sa iyo ang gospel, by God’s grace ay nagrepent ka at nanalig sa Kanyang Anak na si Jesus na Siya ang Panginoon at Tagapagligtas–Lord and Savior of mankind! That was the starting point of your faith journey. 

And then isa-isang dumarating ang mga trials sa buhay mo, sa mga sakit at kakulangan sa mga pangangailangan, pero ikaw ay patuloy sa iyong faith in Jesus Christ, at patuloy kang nananagan sa mga pangako ng Dios.

Tuloy-tuloy din ang temptations ni devil sayo para magkasala ka. Although sometimes you fall into temptations and get disciplined by God, still your faith in God grows at patuloy kang tumatatag spiritually sa biyaya at kabutihan ng Dios.

Your faith in Christ remains from day one up to this day, and it will continue on in your lifetime because no one can separate you from the love of God. Amen? 

So, ang sinasabi ni Paul sa kanyang audience, at ito din ang message ni Lord sa atin, in believing, in our journey in Christian faith, God wants us to be filled with joy and peace, not only individually, but together as one family of God. 

Hindi ito joy na ikaw lang ang happy, habang ang iba ay malungkot sa ginagawa mong mali. 

Hindi ito peace na ikaw lang ang peaceful, habang ang iba ay hindi masayang nakikita ka na napapalayo sa Dios. 

The joy and peace which God brings is mutual joy and peace. Lahat tayo ay dapat happy and peaceful sa katuwiran ng Dios, at sa pagsamba at paglilingkod sa Kanya. Amen?

Last week, we highlighted joy.

Today, we shall highlight peace.

Word: Anxiety, Our Need for Peace, and God’s Offer of Peace

Pray!

Illustration 

A very sick lady businesswoman sells a home-made rice cake (puto) like the size of a pizza, and her children help her with all the delicate preparations. As she was about to die, she was so anxious about her business. So, she requested all her children to come para sa kanyang last and very important words. Punta agad ang kanyang mga anak na worried na worried. Her children finally came over. Unfortunately, she can no longer see. So, she called her children one by one. Nandyan ba si Pedro? Yes po mom. Nandyan ba si Karla? Yes po mom. Eh si Tino na paborito ko? Yes po mom, I’m here. Okay, listen mga anak. Her children paid attention with tears falling in their eyes because their mom was catching up her breath. And then their mom gave her final words, “listen to me, all of you, please lang, liit-liitan nyo ang hiwa ng puto para lumaki-laki ang kita natin, ipangako nyo yan sakin, oley(?)” (make sure to cut the rice cakes smaller than the usual in order to raise our profit).

Everyone wants to have a peaceful death, pero itong businesswoman na ito ay kakaiba, she finds peace in teaching her children to do monkey business.

I’m sure nobody here finds peace in doing what is ethically wrong. Amen? 

What does God want us to learn about anxiety and peace?

Let’s go back in time…

The Garden of Eden was so peaceful until Satan came into the picture. 

In the beginning chapters of the book of Genesis, ay mapapansin natin sa Garden of Eden na ito ay very peaceful. Walang ginawa si Adam and Eve kungdi i-explore at i-enjoy ang lahat ng nasa Garden–kumain ng iba’t ibang masasarap na prutas at makipag-fellowship kay Lord directly. Napaka-peaceful! 

And then, suddenly, Satan came into the picture in the form of a serpent. Na-brainwash niya si Eve at tinukso na magdisobey kay Lord. And then si Eve ay tinempt si Adam at pareho silang nag-diobey kay Lord. 

There was no turning back, God cannot break His law of sin and death. He told them not to eat the fruit which He forbade, because if they eat it, they will die. Lahat ng sinners ay dapat mag-suffer ng consequence ng kanilang pagsuway. Adam and Eve were driven out of the Garden, separated from God, and will die eternally if God will not do something to save them. Because of sin and death as its consequence, people began to long for inner peace. 

Listen, there is no peace apart from God. And only God, God alone, can give us lasting, inner peace. Amen?

Characters in the Bible who were robbed of peace because of anxiety (worries and fears):

Let’s talk about only two–Cain the bad guy, and David the good guy.

Cain (the bad guy). 

Noong pinarusahan siya ng Dios because of murdering his brother, Abel ay ito ang sabi niya sa Dios, “Genesis 4:13-14 ESV “My punishment is greater than I can bear. (14) Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. I shall be a fugitive (nagtatago) and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”

This is a statement of restlessness. “Sinumang makakita sa akin ay papatayin ako!” Kung ikaw si Cain, your mind will be restless in thinking that everyone you meet might kill you. Ang tawag dun ay paranoia. At kapag ang paranoia ay naging severe, it leads to anxiety and depression. 

So, walang peace sa puso ni Cain dahil natatakot siya na pwede siyang patayin ng iba dahil sa pagpatay niya sa kanyang kapatid. 

Therefore, I believe that fear of retribution, that is, “evil for evil,” robs people of peace. 

Hindi ito yung “karma” doctrine ng Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It shares the same idea, but they are different in terms of how it works. Karma is governed by impersonal force, pero ang biblical retribution ay isang punishment ng isang personal, holy God katumbas ng ginawang pagkakamali–eye for eye, tooth for tooth, evil for evil. 

Pharaoh hardened his heart, therefore, God hardened his heart! That’s a biblical idea of retribution. Kung ano ang ginawa, yun ang parusa sa kanya ng Dios. 

Sa book of Esther, gumawa si Haman ng gallows (pangbigti) para mamatay si Mordecai because Mordecai refused to bow down to Haman and worship him. God saved Mordecai and Haman was hanged on the very same gallows he created to kill a servant of God. Nagplano siya ng evil sa kapwa, yun ang balik ng Dios sa kanya. That’s a biblical idea of retribution.

What evil plans, or destructive words, or evil ways have you thought, said, and done to others? Are you afraid of the day of reckoning when God will deal with you and punish you with the same sin which you have committed? Just the thought of it will rob you of peace in your heart and mind! 

I have a good news for you, the Lord our God is merciful and gracious!

Nakita ng Dios na si Cain ay worried and anxious dahil baka gawin sa kanya ng iba ang ginawa niyang pagpatay kay Abel. This is where God’s mercy and grace come in. God said to Cain, “If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” Parurusahan ng pitong ibayo ang sinumang papatay kay Cain!

I could imagine how Cain was relieved from anxiety and how these words from God brought him peace in his heart and mind. 

Kahit bad guy itong si Cain, hindi siya nakarinig sa Dios ng sigaw o masamang pananalita kahit sobrang bigat ang ginawa niyang kasalanan. Instead of raising His voice, or instead of saying something that would worsen his fear and anxiety, out of God’s mercy and grace, God said something that was very relieving. “If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.”

The punishment was still served. Cain was banished from his homeland, and God made it sure it would be very difficult for him to find food, and God’s face was hidden from him. But Cain was comforted by the way God dealt with his worries and fears. God gave him some sort of protection for his life even if he was a bad guy! What a merciful God we have, Amen? 

Now, let’s try to answer this question, 

How should we minister to people with anxiety over “karma”?

1. Tell them that God is personal, “karma” is not. Karma is emotionless while God deals with sinners personally, in mercy and grace.

2. Deal with them in mercy and grace. Don’t be mad at them or say something that might worsen their anxiety.

Let us remember thatGod dealt with Cain in a very just and loving manner. God did not tolerate Cain’s sin, but He showed him mercy by relieving him from anxiety. Let’s do the same sa mga taong nakagawa ng masama, maliit man o malaki. 

Let's be gentle with them. Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if anybody is caught in the very act of doing wrong, you who are spiritual, in the spirit of gentleness, must set him right…

3. Tell them that God is like a father to us. He corrects and disciplines those He loves andHe is gracious to the humble. Just stay humble as God does His work of correcting you and, eventually, God will lift you up. 

Remember these verses: 

Hebrews 12:6 ESV For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

While God has set us free from the judgment of hell through the death of Christ, God does not withhold from us the necessary discipline for our perfection. Amen?

James 4:6 “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:10 GNB Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

I implore you, brothers and sisters, if you are being disciplined by God, don't grumble, be humble. Pride hardens the heart, humility heals the broken spirit. 

Next person in the Bible who was robbed of peace:

David (the good guy). 

1 Samuel 23:15a ESV David saw that Saul had come out to seek his life. 

Hindi lang isang beses tinangka ni Saul na patayin si David. King Saul attempted to kill David more than 20 times. Ano ang reason? Because David was chosen by God to replace his throne. Bago pa lang naghahari si Saul ay disobedient na siya sa Dios. God chose David to be the next king because he loved God deeply and was willing to fulfill all of God's will. Nung malaman ng lahat na si David ang papalit na hari, King Saul became deeply obsessed with killing David. Kinain siya ng intense jealousy at takot na mawala sa pwesto, and after the Spirit of the Lord departed from him, a "distressful" spirit took hold of him. He began to do what the devil hoped to accomplish–to kill and to destroy!

1 Samuel 27:1 GNB David said to himself, "One of these days Saul will kill me. The best thing for me to do is to escape to Philistia. Then Saul will give up looking for me in Israel, and I will be safe."

David was anxious about his life. Natatakot siya sa araw na yun na makukuha ni Saul ang gusto niya, na siya ay mamatay at mabura sa daigdig na ito. David was worried and anxious. For 13 years of being hunted by Saul, David sought for peace in his heart and mind. 

Are you afraid of death? Hindi ba at peace ang puso mo dahil sa takot na mamatay? 

Siguro, itong fear of death ay mas totoo sa mga may sakit na nakamamatay katulad ng cancer or sa mga old people who think about their death. I think that’s normal dahil maging si David ay naging anxious din sa kanyang kamatayan. 

Testimony. 

For the first time in my life, at age 54, last year, I experienced numbness in my right arm as if it was dead. Nagising ako late at night na hindi ko maigalaw ang kanang kamay ko. After a few seconds, I began to feel a sensation until my arm was restored back to normal. Peaceful pa ako nun until I asked my wife what she discovered over the internet about the symptoms which I just had. Nung sinabi niyang baka “stroke,” nagkaroon ako ng panic attack. I was worried and anxious (paano na ang wife ko at and my two children?). I felt so nervous my heart pounded so fast and, I must admit I was robbed of peace on that very night. In the hospital, and I thank God for your love and prayers, but the doctor proved to me that I'm not getting any younger, so he gave me maintenance medicine to stabilize my health. Praise God!

The second panic attack was just last month. Papunta kaming Sinoloan ng family ko when, suddenly, I felt a burning sensation within my heart na may kasamang shortness of breath. Again, I felt nervous and I chilled. My son was so worried kaya sinaggest nya na dalhin nako sa nearest hospital. Again, I was worried and anxious, “is this the end of my life? Paano na ang wife ko and my two children?” I must admit I didn’t have peace on that very day. Nag-over-think ako only to find out it was only an acid reflux. 

When I talked with kuya Harried about it, he admitted he also had the same negative thoughts when he had an acid reflux for the first time. Akala nya deadbol na sya nung araw na yun. He said it was the first time he brought himself to the hospital, as fast as he could. Iba talaga kapag naunahan tayo ng worry and fear. 

I am sharing this to let you know na yung panic attack at yung anxiety normally happens to people who worry too much about their health and/or their final end. David was one of those who feared for his life and, for a while, it robbed him of peace. 

Therefore I believe that too much worry (anxiety) , especially the fear of death, robs people of peace. 

What to do when anxiety comes ?

1. Pray and worship God. 

Cry out to God in prayer. 

When David was being pursued by Saul and his armies to kill him, he hid in the cave and cried out to God for help.

This is what he wrote in Psalms 142:5-6 LORD, I cry to you for help; you, LORD, are my protector; you are all I want in this life. (6) Listen to my cry for help, for I am sunk in despair. Save me from my enemies; they are too strong for me.

So, kung natatakot kang mamatay katulad ni David, or whatever worries or fears you might have, just cry out to God in prayer. Ask God for help. Ask for His protection and deliverance. He is willing to help you. Trust Him!

Also, when anxiety comes, read the Bible. 

Almost half of the book of Psalms was written by David. Part of which is related to his long-term anxiety, fear, and emotional distress because of Saul who was trying to kill him. God preserved his writings and it formed part of what we now call the holy Bible. So, read the Bible and you will find out that the way to overcome anxiety is by talking to God and by putting your trust in His power and might. Amen?  

Also, when anxiety comes, worship God. 

Again, while David was in the cave hiding from Saul, this is what he wrote,

Psalms 57:5 ESV Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!

You see, during the time of distress and anxiety, David worshiped God in the heavens! And guess what happened? David found peace in worshiping God!

Testimony

Just a few Sundays back, during our worship through songs, I felt sick and the fear of death kept creeping into my mind. As we were singing that song which glorifies God and His power to heal, repeatedly, I kept saying, “yes, Lord, you are my healer.” And then, suddenly, I felt like God’s shower of peace flowed within my spirit until I found myself crying and thanking God because all my worries and fears disappeared, and I was instantly healed, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Praise the Lord!

So, if you have worries and fears, worship God not just once a week, but everyday because worry and fear will keep haunting you, but through prayer and bible meditation, and by worshipping God through songs of praise and songs of fait, you’ll find peace in being with God!

Next, what to do when anxiety comes?

2. Find a safe place.

David found a safe place–a cave. 

But let me explain something here. The safe place David found was not just a place of “flight” (para makatakas sa anxiety). That cave served as a place where he can pray to God, and worship Him, and to meditate upon His Word. 

Did you know that Psalm 57 and Psalm 142 were written by David inside the cave? What does this mean? David managed his anxiety by talking to God, by pouring out his heart to Him, and by trusting God that He is his safe place, his refuge. 

Psalms 142:5 (ESV) I cry to you, O LORD; I say, “You are my refuge (shelter, kanlungan), my portion in the land of the living.”

So, when you are worried and in fear of something, whatever it is that you are anxious about, you know where to go. Your shelter, your safe place is God. He is our refuge and in Him we find peace!

And where do you find that shelter, that safe place here on earth? Well, God dwells in the midst of His gathered saints, His church. So, the church is your safe place! Amen?

So, go and be with a small group or Discipleship Group where you can tell your story and so be heard.

Go and be with godly people who can share with you God’s comforting words from the Bible. 

Go and be with church people who can pray for you and pray with you. 

Go and be with the believers in Christ and worship God with them, and believe God with them, and by believing, you shall overcome anxiety by God’s power and might! Amen?

What else do you do when anxiety comes?

3. Encourage yourself to trust God.

Unlike many of us, David didn't have anyone to turn to when he was being pursued by Saul. His friend, Jonathan could not help him because David’s enemy was his father. So, the only friend he’s got is God.

Listen, when you are distressed and anxious, and you have no one to turn to, never forget that you have a friend to cry on. That is our Lord Jesus Christ. So, get closer to Him. Go to your room or find a quiet place where you can be with God in prayer and worship. Remind yourself day after day that you have God by your side. He will never leave you nor forsake you! Amen?

And lastly, 

4. Let God fight for you.

You cannot fight the battle alone. You need God's power. Only God can turn your anxiety into victory. Yes, you need to help yourself. But you must not fight alone. You’ll lose. You need to help yourself to take a little step forward to get closer to our God Almighty. He is just a prayer away. Go and be with Him in prayer, in worship, and trust in His power to heal and save! 

Do you want Him to fight for you? Then trust Him. Meditate upon His word and find courage in His promises. He is the God of all comfort. Jesus is the Prince of peace. He will comfort you and grant you a lasting, inner peace. Just cry out to Him for help and let Him speak and hear Him out. Listen to what He has to say. When He says stop worrying. Then stop it. Think of something beautiful. While God is fighting for you, get yourself busy with good and godly things. Go to church, worship the Lord, and serve Him. Do your job well. Focus on your studies. Set an example of godliness wherever you are and please God in everything you do. 

You know what? When you stop worrying, and let God fight your battles, and just be what God wants you to be, you will find yourself fruitful and peaceful from within. When worry and fear keep on creeping into your mind, then keep yourself focused on God. Trust that He is the Warrior who can conquer your worries. Trust that He has the power to take away your fears and grant you peace that passes all understanding. Amen? 

There are more characters in the Bible who were robbed of peace because of anxiety (worries and fears):

Sarah had a fear of social disgrace. She was worried about being barren and was jealous of her slave who bore children with his husband Abraham. She feared she might be known for her disgrace and divine displeasure because she didn't have a child. 

Nagaalala ka ba na baka pagtawanan ka ng iba dahil wala kang anak? 

Moses had a fear of being teased because of his speech problem. Perhaps he was worried about people who might tease him. 

Nagaalala ka ba na baka pagtawanan ka ng iba dahil sa ikaw ay bulol o may kapansanan? 

Job had a fear of losing his reputation. His friends accuse him of sin for the tragedy which came upon him. While he did not claim to be entirely sinless, Job believed his intense suffering was not caused by any unrepented sin. Reading between the lines, he feared that people would believe his friends for the accusations they make against him. 

Nagaalala ka ba na baka maniwala ang marami sa maling paratang sa iyo ng iba? 

The disciples had a fear of being alone. They were worried because Jesus is going to the Father. 

Nagaalala ka ba na baka dahil nagiisa ka, walang kakampi, at posibleng pagtulungan ng mga taong hindi ka gusto? 

Whatever your worries or fears are,

1. Pray and worship God.

2. Consider the church as your safe place.

3. Encourage yourself to trust God.

4. Let God fight for you.

Closing:

John 14:26-27 ESV But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. (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.

Before leaving His disciples, Jesus comforted them with these words. 

He knew it would be difficult for His disciples to be alone. Jesus discerned their worries and fears. So, He promised them the Holy Spirit who will teach and guide them. And then He promised to grant them peace. 

What kind of peace did Jesus promise to give his disciples (including us)?

Peace like no other–incomparable to peace this world gives. 

Others find peace in drinking alcohol. 

Others find peace in avoiding contact with stressful people. 

Others find peace even on things that God hates.

Yes, they may be enjoying some sort of peace with all these worldly things and worldly mindset, but that peace is only short-lived because that peace is not from God!

Do you drink alcohol just to find peace? 

On the cross, where Jesus was about to die, He was given a strong drink so he could have a painless and peaceful death. But He rejected it! He doesn’t need wine just to have a painless and peaceful death. He doesn’t need peace that the world gives. He is the Prince of peace. And He willfully took our pain and the punishment of death in order to give us life and peace.

Do you avoid stressful people just to find peace? 

Jesus did not avoid stressful people like Judas the betrayer, Zacchaeus the greedy tax collector, Thomas the doubter, and so on. He did not avoid them just to have peace. He loved them. Jesus knew that loving people of any kind would bring peace on this planet earth!

Do you do the things that are against the will of God and you think that it can give you a sense of peace? No! 

Jesus knew that He was about to die to take away our sins. And as He prays, in distress, his sweat became like a drop of blood, and then He said to the Father, 

Luke 22:42 ESV “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

So, what kind of peace does Jesus give? 

Lasting, inner peace. 

How to have this peace? 

1. Repent of your sins and put your trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

1 John 1:9 ESV If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 5:1 ESV Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Once you realize that God has forgiven all your sins, then you will have a lasting, inner peace. 

1 John 5:13 ESV (John said) I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God whom He sent to die on behalf of those who repent and believe. And to those who believe, they will not perish, but have eternal life. 

Once you realize you have eternal life in Christ, then you will have a lasting, inner peace. 

2. Keep trusting God that He will fight your battles. 

You cannot win your battle alone. You need God and you need to trust in His power to heal and save and grant you victory. 

Once you realize you have God on your side to fight for you, then you will have a lasting, inner peace.