Anxiety is something almost everyone experiences, especially when we feel pressure about our future, relationships, or expectations. As our anxiety grows because we try to control things that were never meant for us to control. God invites us to humble ourselves, trust His care, and cast our anxieties on Him because He is both powerful and deeply concerned about our lives.

Here are some discussion questions to further your guide your conversation:

• Why do you think people often try to hide their anxiety or pretend they have everything together instead of asking for help?

• Michael said that pride and unbelief are often the root causes of anxiety. How can trying to control everything in life actually make us more anxious instead of less?

• Read 1 Peter 5:6-7. What do you think it means to “humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God”? The verse also says to “cast all your anxieties on Him.” What do you think that looks like practically in a Student’s life?

• Read Philippians 4:6-7. How can prayer and gratitude help change the way we handle anxiety?

• We fight anxiety by fighting against unbelief and fighting for faith in future grace. And the way you fight this good fight is by meditating on God’s assurances of future grace and by asking for the help of his Spirit. What are some fighter verses to meditate on to help you believe the promises of God’s future grace, and how can the Holy Spirit help you overcome your pride and unbelief?

• What is one area of your life right now where you are trying to control things instead of trusting God with them?

• This week, whenever you feel anxious, pause and pray something simple like this: “God, I give this to you because you care about me.”

• Close in prayer now, asking God to help you trust His plan and timing instead of trying to control everything yourself.