The Daily CHEW™
Moving God’s Love from Head to Heart for Christian Professionals
A client called me three days before a major board presentation that could determine his company’s future: “I can already feel the anxiety building. I know what’s going to happen—I’ll walk in there, my heart will be racing, and I’ll feel like I’m going to fail. How do I prepare for this?” Another client was scheduled to visit her aging father who had been emotionally abusive throughout her childhood: “I need to go, but I’m already dreading it. I can feel myself getting anxious, angry, and wanting to avoid the whole thing.”
When you know anxiety is coming—whether it’s a major presentation, difficult confrontation, or facing someone from a painful past—you don’t have to wait for the storm to hit. You can use CHEW to anchor yourself in God’s love BEFORE the moment arrives, so you walk into it with courage instead of dread.
Why Anticipatory Anxiety Is Different—And How CHEW Addresses It
Anticipatory anxiety is unique because you have time to prepare your heart, unlike sudden crises where you react in the moment. The challenge is that your mind rehearses worst-case scenarios, your body starts experiencing stress responses days in advance, and false beliefs about your adequacy, safety, or God’s presence begin to dominate your thoughts.
The Gospel truth is this: God’s love for you doesn’t wait until the difficult moment to show up—it’s available right now to prepare you, secure you, and give you courage for what’s ahead. When you CHEW in the days leading up to anxiety-provoking situations, you’re not just managing anxiety—you’re anchoring your identity in God’s love so deeply that the circumstance can’t shake it.
CHEW On This™ in 3–5 Minutes: Preparing for Anxiety-Provoking Moments
Confess (C) to God
“Father, here’s what I’m honestly feeling about this upcoming situation: I’m already anxious, imagining worst-case scenarios, and feeling inadequate/unsafe/unprepared. I confess my tendency to trust my fears more than Your presence. I confess any unforgiveness I’m carrying toward people involved in this situation.”
Hear (H) from God in Scripture
“Father, what Scripture do You want me to wrestle with as I prepare for this moment?”
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
“What is true about You in this upcoming situation? You will be WITH me. You are MY God. You WILL strengthen, help, and uphold me—not might, but WILL.”
Exchange (E) with God
Option 1 (Beginner CHEWer):
“If I really believed God loves me as much as He loves Jesus, what would change right now?”
Option 2 (Intermediate CHEWer):
“If I really believed God loves me as much as He loves Jesus, how would that change what I’m imagining about this situation, how I’m preparing for it, and whether I believe He’ll be present with me in it?”
Option 3 (Advanced CHEWer):
“If I really believed God’s love is so secure that He will be WITH me in this moment, strengthening and upholding me no matter what happens, how would that change my worst-case scenario thinking, my need to perform perfectly or protect myself, and my ability to forgive those who might hurt me? How would that change my courage to face this situation?”
Today, Father, I give You my worst-case scenarios, my rehearsed anxieties, and my unforgiveness. I receive Your promise to be WITH me, to strengthen me, and to uphold me with Your righteous right hand.
Walk (W) with the Holy Spirit
“Holy Spirit, please guide me in preparing my heart for this moment:”
- Daily CHEW Leading Up: “I will CHEW on this situation every morning until it arrives, asking You to secure my identity in Your love before the moment comes.”
- Forgiveness Work: “Show me any unforgiveness I’m carrying toward people in this situation, and help me release it by remembering how much You’ve forgiven me.”
- Truth Over Scenarios: “When my mind rehearses worst-case scenarios, I will replace them with the truth that You will be WITH me no matter what happens.”
- Before I Walk In: “Right before the moment, I will do a 3-minute CHEW to remind myself: I am loved as much as Jesus, God is WITH me, and the outcome doesn’t determine my value.”
“Holy Spirit, prepare my heart to walk into this moment with Gospel courage.”
Worship: The God Who Goes Before You and Walks Beside You
God doesn’t wait at the finish line to see if you succeed—He goes before you to prepare the way and walks beside you through every moment. Your worth isn’t determined by how the presentation goes, whether the confrontation resolves well, or if the abusive person apologizes. Your worth was settled when God loved you enough to give His Son for you.
When you CHEW in the days leading up to difficult moments, you’re building a foundation of Gospel truth that anxiety can’t erode. You’re reminding your heart that God’s love isn’t conditional on your performance, that He forgives you completely so you can forgive others, and that His presence is the source of courage you need.
Community + Resources
Community: Don’t face anxiety-provoking moments alone. CHEW with others who can pray for you and remind you of Gospel truth when your emotions overwhelm you here.
Want More?
The Daily CHEW™ | Make CHEWing a daily rhythm
Select Resources:
- When Your Heart Holds Something Against God: Honest Steps When Forgiveness Feels Impossible
- Raw Prayer: When Faith Gets Honest and God Gets Real
- Going Deeper: How to Move Beyond Surface-Level CHEW to Heart-Level Breakthrough
With you on the journey,
Ryan
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