Personal Wellness
by Rev. Dr. Travis Guse
Advent and Christmas are supposed to be seasons of joy, anticipation, and wonder. However, for many of us, they come wrapped in something very different: anxiety. The calendar fills. Expectations rise. Pressures mount. Even good things can feel overwhelming.
During this time of year, the difference between stress and anxiety becomes especially clear.
- Stress comes from external pressures – deadlines, to-do lists, gatherings, travel, finances.
- Anxiety comes from an internal wrestling of the soul – uncertainty, fear, self-doubt, or the sense that everything depends on us.
Scripture offers a deeper, richer invitation in the midst of this: Peace. God’s Shalom.
Peace: The True Antidote to Anxiety
The antithesis of anxiety – biblically, theologically, and psychologically – is peace. And even more precisely, trust.
In the Bible, peace is not simply “feeling calm.” It is shalom, which is the wholeness, stability, and flourishing that comes from God’s presence and God’s reign. It is the settled center of a life anchored in the One who holds all things together.
One of my favorite passages for anxious seasons in my life comes from Paul, in which he writes, “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)
Paul places anxiety and peace side by side because he knows the human heart; how easily it drifts into fear, and how desperately it longs for steadiness. And right between the two, he gives us the anchor: “The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:5) That nearness of God’s presence is what makes trust possible. And trust is what produces peace in our hearts and spirits.
Trust: The Deeper Opposite of Anxiety
Many theologians will say that the truer opposite of anxiety is not calmness, nor even peace, but trust – a posture of placing our confidence in God’s presence, provision, and power.
David expresses this with simple clarity when he exclaims, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” (Psalm 56:3) Notice the parallel:
- Anxiety says: “I am trying to manage what I cannot control.”
- Trust says: “I can release what I cannot control into God’s hands.”
Trust doesn’t deny the reality of our fears. It redirects them into the hands of the One who holds all things together.
A Helpful Progression for the Anxious Heart
You can think of it like this: Trust → Peace → Rest (which stands opposite of Anxiety → Fear → Restlessness)
- Trust displaces the root of anxiety.
- Peace becomes the condition of the heart when trust is in place.
- Rest (emotional, physical, and spiritual) flows out of living in that peace.
Rest is the fruit of peace. Peace is the fruit of trust. Trust is rooted in God’s nearness.
Advent: The Season That Speaks Directly to Our Anxiety
This is why this Advent is such a gift. It reminds us that God came near long ago in Bethlehem, in the manger, in the quiet humility of Emmanuel, “God with us.” And it reminds us that God will come again to set all things right, to wipe away every tear, to replace fear with the fullness of His peace when Jesus returns.
Advent sharpens our awareness that:
- God is with us.
- God is for us.
- God holds us and eternity in His hands.
This is greater reality, higher than the reality of what we experience in this life, that produces trust. This is the reality that creates peace in our spirits. This is the reality that calms anxious hearts. Jesus Himself offers this promise as He speaks of His coming: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
A Blessing for Your Advent Journey
As you move through this Advent season – through the crowded days, the heartfelt moments, even the hidden anxieties of your heart – may you remember that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is present with you.
May His perfect peace, the peace that surpasses all human understanding, guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. May you know His nearness. May you trust His goodness. May you rest in His promises. And may His shalom fill you this Advent and Christmas season.