Blog

6 ways to know God is watching your anxious moments
Saturday, March 7, 2020 by Janent Perez Eckles

“The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night” (Psalm 121:5).

The sun was hot even before spring arrived in Florida. And the sound of the ocean waves beckoned us.

“C’mon, Nana,” my granddaughter pulled my hand. Even at four-years-old, she knew to lead her blind Nana.

“Don’t go too far,” hubby said as he relaxed on a lounger.

With her small hand tight in mine, our feet sunk in the hot sand as we drew closer to the water. We jumped over the waves, giggled, collected shells, and giggled some more.

After a long while I realized I had no idea where we were—too far from hubby. Was he still watching us?

I got on one knee and held my granddaughter’s wet cheeks between my hands. “Sweet baby, look at me, do you see Papa anywhere?”

“Nope. C’mon Nana, let’s jump.”

Suppressing the panic that cramped my stomach, I said silent prayers, the kind that blurts out from the heart. The kind you want to word just right so God would be quick to answer. And my silent pleas were those that bordered on self-pity. “Oh, if I could only see a little bit, this wouldn’t happen.”

With all traces of patience tossed into the sea, I quickly drew closer to a group of folks talking. “Excuse me,” I waved in the direction of their voices. “Would you have a cell phone?” I said. “I think I lost my husband.”

As I gave the first few numbers for them to dial, I heard a familiar voice, “Honey, what’s wrong?”

“Oh, there you are,” I grinned with relief at my hubby.

“I was watching you both the whole time,” he said.

A little shame swept over me. Not because of the beach scenario. But because how often I doubted, panicked, feared that God took His eyes off me. I worried I had drifted too far from His love, His provision, and His care.

We all do that sometimes, don’t we? While in seemingly fervent prayer, that doubt turns to anxious moments. And we question His ability to rescue us when we’re walking on the hot sand of problems, tough times, and bad news.

6 Steps

So once again, we get on our knees as we were taught and begin to plead, beg, and ask over and over again. And when no answers come, His silence digs more anguish rather than peace. But all changes, all has more clarity, and doubt is replaced by reassurance when we follow these six steps:

  1. Readjust our priorities. If we seek the answer to our prayer with more passion than we seek God Himself, His patience rather than answers is what will be at work. “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).
  2. Resist the temptation to recite memorized, perfect prayers, with lovely words and deep insight. God simply wants the genuine expression of our heart. And most of all, “…when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:7).
  3. Recognize that sometimes we don’t know how to pray or what our requests should be. So, we can freely ask for Him to show us what to pray for. And confident that He’s listening attentively, whisper to Him, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).
  4. Remember that His answer is always in His timing, not ours because a thousand years in God’s sight are like a day that has just gone by (Psalm 90:4).
  5. Relish in the fact that while we wait, He’s working in us, in our heart, in our situation because, “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
  6. Remove anxious thoughts. In the silence of the moment and in the power of His presence, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

Why follow these steps? Because “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14–15).

Let’s Pray

Father, thank You for showing me how to pray with the certainty that You are indeed watching listening and observing each step I take. Grant me the wisdom to recognize You are vigilant of my every move. In Jesus’ name.

As you read this, how certain are you that God does have His eyes upon you and on your situation?

Janet


Did you know I wrote a book filled with words of encouragement, uplifting thoughts and illustrations of real-life triumph to empower you? Its title, Trials of Today, Treasures for Tomorrow: Overcoming Adversities in Life. You can get it HERE.

CLICK HERE for a one-minute inspirational video.

Looking for a speaker for your upcoming event? A great speaker makes the difference between a so-so event and one that shines with impact. I invite you to view one of my two-minute videos HERE.

Please share: Feel free to share Janet’s posts with your friends.

Let’s connect:

Comments: I welcome your thoughts; please consider leaving a comment. Just look for the word REPLY at the end of the post after the list of keywords

Share This Blog:


Previous Posts

When Christmas Erases Pain.
Janet Perez Eckles

12/25/2024

Avoid these three traps when facing impossibilities.
Janet Perez Eckles

12/20/2024

Five steps to turn painful changes to a fresh, new beginning.
Janet Perez Eckles

12/6/2024

How to pray so God will answer.
Janet Perez Eckles

11/22/2024

The perfect guide to peace.
Janet Perez Eckles

11/8/2024

An urgent call for today’s turmoil.
Janet Perez Eckles

10/26/2024

What to do when life becomes too much.
Janet Perez Eckles

10/25/2024

What to do when our world shakes.
Janet Perez Eckles

10/11/2024

He’ll calm your storm.
Janet Perez Eckles

10/9/2024

No eyesight, no limbs, but enjoying the fullness of life.
Janet Perez Eckles

9/27/2024

What to do when feeling trapped.
Janet Perez Eckles

9/13/2024

The sure way to find direction in life.
Janet Perez Eckles

8/30/2024

What to do while we wait for the answer.
Janet Perez Eckles

8/16/2024

Five reasons why you must never be discouraged.
Janet Perez Eckles

8/2/2024

How the 4th of July reminds us that we can have freedom from worry.
Janet Perez Eckles

7/19/2024

Is this what you're missing?
Janet Perez Eckles

6/21/2024

When my problems are too deep.
Janet Perez Eckles

6/7/2024

What does God say about immigration?
Janet Perez Eckles

6/2/2024

When will God heal me?
Janet Perez Eckles

5/24/2024

Your secret to become the best mom.
Janet Perez Eckles

5/10/2024

A free event to empower you.
Janet Perez Eckles

4/24/2024

How to prepare for the end times.
Janet Perez Eckles

4/12/2024

How do I know I'll go to heaven?
Janet Perez Eckles

3/22/2024

Six choices that make you a victor.
Janet Perez Eckles

3/8/2024

A surprise is tucked inside.
Janet Perez Eckles

2/27/2024

How long before the heartache stops?
Janet Perez Eckles

2/23/2024

Does God see my loneliness?
Janet Perez Eckles

2/9/2024

When bad situations turn to victory.
Janet Perez Eckles

1/27/2024

5 ways you can have a victorious new year.
Janet Perez Eckles

1/5/2024

Good news in the midst of fear and loneliness.
Janet Perez Eckles

12/22/2023

What to do when facing a war.
Janet Perez Eckles

12/8/2023

The secret to a real celebration of Christ.
Janet Perez Eckles

12/6/2023

A Message of Appreciation
Janet Perez Eckles

11/24/2023

What is the purpose for my life?
Janet Perez Eckles

11/10/2023

Happy birthday to...me!
Janet Perez Eckles

10/27/2023

Three lies that can rob your security.
Janet Perez Eckles

10/13/2023

This is how you overcome stress, sadness, and worry.
Janet Perez Eckles

9/29/2023

Avoid pitfalls and pain with these three steps.
Janet Perez Eckles

9/15/2023

What kind of prayers does God really answer?
Janet Perez Eckles

9/1/2023

How to calm your emotional turmoil.
Janet Perez Eckles

8/18/2023

Five promises to live free from fear.
Janet Perez Eckles

8/4/2023

This is the way to a rich life.
Janet Perez Eckles

7/21/2023

Saying goodbye.
Janet Perez Eckles

7/4/2023

It's a hot summer, but timely inspiration is so cool!
Janet Perez Eckles

7/3/2023

Is that blind woman dancing?
Janet Perez Eckles

7/2/2023

Free...For You!
Janet Perez Eckles

7/1/2023

No eyesight, no limbs, but enjoying the fullness of life.
Janet Perez Eckles

6/30/2023

The best way to celebrate our Father...our Heavenly Father.
Janet Perez Eckles

6/16/2023

Your joy is closer than you think.
Janet Perez Eckles

6/9/2023

Five reasons why loneliness cannot enter your heart.
Janet Perez Eckles

5/26/2023

Five weapons for mothers to overcome stress.
Janet Perez Eckles

5/12/2023

Three steps to contentment during chaos.
Janet Perez Eckles

5/5/2023

This is what you need to remove to have a happier and peaceful life.
Janet Perez Eckles

4/21/2023

Because the tomb is empty, your loneliness, fear, and anxiety can end.
Janet Perez Eckles

4/7/2023

Your pet might be speaking the love that no human can.
Janet Perez Eckles

3/31/2023

3 ways to know if God will find you strong and committed or find you lukewarm instead.
Janet Perez Eckles

3/17/2023

Three questions to determine how prepared you are to face life's troubles.
Janet Perez Eckles

3/3/2023

Three ways to prepare for the end times.
Janet Perez Eckles

2/17/2023

Overcoming Loneliness on Valentine's Day
Janet Perez Eckles

2/14/2023

Something just for you.
Janet Perez Eckles

2/10/2023

Four decisions to turn anxiety to peace.
Janet Perez Eckles

2/3/2023

God is with us...always!
Janet Perez Eckles

1/27/2023

12 questions to determine the success of your new year.
Janet Perez Eckles

1/20/2023

Five steps to keep depression out.
Janet Perez Eckles

1/6/2023

This is where you find comfort this Christmas.
Janet Perez Eckles

12/23/2022

This is how stress turns to peace this Christmas.
Janet Perez Eckles

12/18/2022

How to end your worry.
Janet Perez Eckles

12/5/2022

Big Announcement ... Read On
Janet Perez Eckles

11/19/2022

How to get rid of loneliness.
Janet Perez Eckles

9/2/2022

How to get rid of anxiety.
Janet Perez Eckles

8/12/2022

Your battle belongs to the Lord.
Janet Perez Eckles

7/29/2022

The only connection you need to feel safe and secure.
Janet Perez Eckles

7/15/2022

10 steps to help you never, never fear
Janent Perez Eckles

4/1/2022

How to overcome this hot summer of loneliness
Janent Perez Eckles

8/21/2020

How to see God’s way out of our troubles
Janent Perez Eckles

7/10/2020

With these four promises, we can dare to expect a brand new, beautiful, tomorrow
Janent Perez Eckles

6/19/2020

When God Meets our Greatest Needs
Janent Perez Eckles

4/24/2020

Trust in the Real Source
Janent Perez Eckles

4/10/2020

6 ways to know God is watching your anxious moments
Janent Perez Eckles

3/7/2020

12 ways to transform your life
Janent Perez Eckles

1/17/2020

Avoid these three traps when facing impossibilities.
Janent Perez Eckles

12/20/2019

Consider these three steps before getting angry.
Janent Perez Eckles

11/8/2019

Three steps to have your prayers answered.
Janent Perez Eckles

11/1/2019

The secret to live a happy life.
Janent Perez Eckles

10/4/2019

Three secrets of a real winner.
Janent Perez Eckles

9/6/2019

So, what’s another disaster?
Janent Perez Eckles

8/2/2019

One thing you need to remove in order to live with confidence.
Janent Perez Eckles

6/7/2019

What to do when life becomes too much.
Janent Perez Eckles

2/22/2019

Five questions to see if you’re a people pleaser.
Janet Perez Eckles

11/23/2018

How to achieve the best of life.
Janent Perez Eckles

11/9/2018

I need encouragement.
Janent Perez Eckles

11/9/2018

6 Steps to Bring Back Peace
Janent Perez Eckles

6/8/2018