Listen to the Part of Your Soul That Feels Anxious

If your part has nothing more to share, it’s time for you to respond. Do you get why this part often feels scared? If so, let the part know—in your own way—and notice what happens inside, like a feeling of relief.

You can also ask this part if it likes having to be anxious. You’ll likely get some form of “no” in response. If that’s the case, ask the part: “What if there’s a way for you to be less anxious? Are you game?”

If your part shows an interest, read 1 John 4:18 to it. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” (NKJV, italics added).

Perfect comes from a Greek word that can also be translated as complete. So, we can understand the verse to say whenever there’s fear, there’s also a lack of love.

But this also means we can make room for more love to fill our inner worlds.

How, you ask? By surrendering fear to God.

For every ounce of fear you relinquish, you can expect to receive an equal portion of love from God—if not more, given how generous God is.

This, by the way, is the same God who promised: “Don't be afraid. I am with you. Don't tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories” (Isaiah 41:10, CEV).

Your part can run to God and plead for His protection anytime it feels afraid. Since God isn’t a human, He never lies (Numbers 23:19). That means if the Most High says He will protect you, He most definitely will.

But is your anxious part willing to swap its burden for God’s perfect love? Ask it to release to God the amount of fear or anxiety it would like to eliminate.

How is it doing now? If it likes the resulting peace, know that in the future, you can do more exchanges like what you just did. Rereading this devotional will offer your part more opportunities to release more of its burden.

If this sounds good to the part, thank it for allowing you to help.

And please thank God for His peace.

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Joice Kelly 

Dr. Audrey Davidheiser is a licensed psychologist in California, certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist, and IFSI-approved clinical consultant. After founding a counseling center for the Los Angeles Dream Center, she now provides IFS therapy for trauma survivors, including those with religious trauma, and assists in IFS trainings. She has been a regular writer for Crosswalk.com and columnist for iBelieve.com. Her book on how IFS helps the grieving process, Grieving Wholeheartedly, will be published by InterVarsity Press in July 2025.