Peace in His Presence: Hope for the Anxious Heart

Maybe you've had the phone call you weren't expecting. The diagnosis. The season you didn't choose. Maybe you're watching someone you love suffer and there's nothing you can do to fix it. Maybe you're just bone-tired from carrying more than you were ever meant to carry.
Whatever brought you here today — you are welcome. You don't have to have it together. You just have to show up.
About This Episode
Isaiah 43 opens with words God spoke to a people in exile — people who were far from home, overwhelmed, and wondering if God had forgotten them. And before anything else, before the command not to fear, God says something deeply personal:
"I have called you by name. You are mine."

Not mom. Not the strong one. Not your role or your title. By your name. In this guided meditation, Michelle walks slowly and tenderly through Isaiah 43, pairing its promises with gentle breathing and grounding to help your overwhelmed heart receive what is already true about you.
This is not a promise of a pain-free life. It is a promise of presence. When you pass through the waters, God doesn't say swim harder. He says: I will be with you.
What You'll Experience in This Episode
•       Gentle breathing and grounding to help an overwhelmed nervous system slow down
•       A slow, unhurried walk through Isaiah 43 and its promises
•       Honest space for grief, loss, and the seasons that feel like fire
•       The reminder that overwhelm is not proof you lack faith — it is proof you are human
•       A closing invitation to breathe in His faithfulness and breathe out your striving
A Key Truth from This Episode
Isaiah 43 says: "When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." Notice — God does not say if. He says when. He doesn't promise the fire won't come. He promises He walks into it with you.
"The same Lord who stood in the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walks with you."

Jesus did not avoid the fire. He entered it. And because He did, the fire does not have the final word over you. Not the water. Not the flame. Not the diagnosis. Not the outcome. Christ does.
And this: overwhelm is not proof that you lack faith. It is proof that you are human. And you are not walking through it alone.
When to Listen to This Episode
•       When you've received news that has turned your world upside down
•       When grief is sitting heavy and you don't have words
•       When a season of life feels like too much and you can't catch your breath
•       When you're watching someone you love walk through something hard
•       When you need to be reminded: you are created, redeemed, and called by name
More from the Be Still Series
This episode is part of a growing collection of scripture-centered meditations for anxious hearts. Each one focuses on a different name of God and a different passage of Scripture, pairing His promises with gentle breathing and grounding exercises.
 
Rest from Anxiety | Bible Verses for When You Feel Overwhelmed (Psalm 91)
When worry feels bigger than you can carry, Psalm 91 invites you into the shelter of El Shaddai — the all-sufficient God. A meditation for weary, worried hearts who need to set down what they've been carrying.
Perfect for: Anxiety, overwhelm, and the weight of things you cannot fix.
Can't Sleep Worrying? Psalm 121 for Peace at Night
For the 2 AM moments when your mind won't stop. Psalm 121 holds a steady promise for restless nights: the one who keeps you will not slumber. When you cannot sleep, He is not asleep.
Perfect for: Sleepless nights and the worry that wakes you in the dark.
Scripture Featured in This Episode
•       Isaiah 43:1 — Fear not, I have called you by name, you are mine
•       Isaiah 43:2 — When you pass through the waters, I will be with you
•       Isaiah 43:3 — I am the Lord your God, your Savior
Connect with Michelle
If this episode resonated with you, Michelle would love to connect. She offers free 50-minute coaching consultations — real conversations where you can talk about what's going on and explore tools that might help. No strings attached.
Book a free consultation
Subscribe to Michelle's Newsletter
Visit michellediercks.com
Michelle's Books
Promised Rest and Promised Hope — both go deep into the names of God and how He meets us in our most anxious moments. You can find them on Amazon.
Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence
Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness

It's the middle of the night. Your mind is moving. Your heart is racing. Your body just won't settle — even though you know you need sleep, even though you've prayed, even though you trust God.
You're not alone. And you're not failing.
This episode is for you — the one lying awake in the dark, scanning for danger that may never come, carrying worry about someone or something you cannot control.
About This Episode
Psalm 121 was written for travelers on a road — people who didn't know what waited around the next bend. Maybe that feels familiar. Maybe lately you've been lifting your eyes to the hills, watching, wondering: where does my help come from?
In this gentle guided meditation, Michelle Derricks walks slowly through Psalm 121, pairing each promise with unhurried breathing and soft grounding to help your body receive what your heart already believes.
"When you cannot sleep, he is not asleep. When you wake in the night, he is already awake."

The Lord is your keeper. He is not distracted. He is not weary. He is not looking the other way. He keeps your coming and going — from this time forth and forevermore.
What You'll Experience in This Episode
•       Gentle breathing and grounding to quiet a racing mind and restless body
•       A slow, unhurried walk through Psalm 121 and its promises
•       Honest space for the question: what about the harm that has already happened?
•       The assurance that God keeps not just your circumstances, but your soul
•       A closing invitation to release your striving and rest in His faithfulness
A Key Truth from This Episode
Psalm 121 doesn't promise a pain-free life. We live in a broken world, and hard things happen. But here is what it does promise: a kept life. A guarded life. A life held in the hands of a God who never stops watching over your soul.
"Evil does not have the final word over you. Fear does not have the final word. Christ does."

In your baptism, you were joined to the one who conquered sin, death, and the grave. You are marked as his own — kept in his mercy and grace. Nothing, absolutely nothing, can snatch you from his hand.
When to Listen to This Episode
•       When you wake at 2 or 3 AM and your mind won't stop
•       When you're lying in bed rehearsing every possible outcome
•       When you're worrying about a child, a diagnosis, or something you cannot control
•       When your body is exhausted but your nervous system is still on high alert
•       Any time you need a steady, gentle voice to remind you — you are kept
More from the Be Still Series
This episode is part of a growing collection of scripture-centered meditations for anxious hearts. Each one focuses on a different name of God and a different passage of Scripture, pairing His promises with gentle breathing and grounding.
Rest from Anxiety | Bible Verses for When You Feel Overwhelmed (Psalm 91)
When worry feels bigger than you can carry, Psalm 91 invites you into the shelter of El Shaddai — the God who is all-sufficient. This meditation is for the weary ones, the worried ones, and anyone who needs to set down what they've been carrying.
Perfect for: Overwhelming anxiety and the weight of things you cannot fix.
When Life Feels Overwhelming | God Walks With You (Isaiah 43)
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." This meditation holds space for grief, transition, and the seasons that feel like fire. You are created, redeemed, and called by name — and you are not walking through it alone.
 
Perfect for: Seasons of loss, overwhelm, or major life transitions.
 

Scripture Featured in This Episode
•       Psalm 121:1-2 — I lift my eyes to the hills; my help comes from the Lord
•       Psalm 121:3-4 — He who keeps you will not slumber
•       Psalm 121:5-8 — The Lord will keep your going out and coming in forevermore
Connect with Michelle
If this episode resonated with you, Michelle would love to connect. She offers free 50-minute coaching consultations — real conversations where you can talk about what's going on and explore tools that might help. No strings attached.
 
Book a free consultation
Subscribe to Michelle's Newsletter
Visit michellediercks.com
Michelle's Books
Promised Rest and Promised Hope — both go deep into the names of God and how He meets us in our most anxious moments. You can find them on Amazon.
Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence
Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness

Are you carrying something heavy right now? Maybe it's fear about someone's health. Maybe it's worry about your finances, your children, or the weight of everything happening in the world — things you cannot fix no matter how hard you try.
This episode is a place to slow down, breathe, and remember who holds you.
This guided meditation on Psalm 91 is part of the Be Still Series on the Peace in His Presence podcast — scripture-centered meditations designed for the moments when you know what's true, but your body hasn't settled down yet.
About This Episode
Psalm 91 opens with a stunning invitation: "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." Dwell. Rest. These aren't words of striving — they're words of receiving.
In this episode, Michelle Derricks walks you gently through Psalm 91 with unhurried breathing, grounding, and the promises of God's Word. The name of God highlighted here is El Shaddai — the God who is all-sufficient, the one whose grace is enough for this moment and every moment that follows.
"You don't have to be enough. El Shaddai is enough for you."

This isn't a meditation for people who have it all together. It's for the weary ones. The worried ones. The ones who are tired of trying to hold everything together.
What You'll Experience in This Episode
•       Gentle breathing and grounding to help your body settle before receiving God's Word
•       A slow, unhurried walk through Psalm 91 and its promises
•       An introduction to El Shaddai — what this name of God means and why it matters for your anxiety
•       A practice of releasing what you've been trying to control
•       The Be Still Prayer to close — moving from striving to simply resting in His presence
 

A Key Truth from This Episode
Psalm 91 says God promises: "I will be with you in trouble." Not if trouble comes — when it comes. He doesn't promise a pain-free life. He promises presence. And that presence is not distant or distracted. If you are standing in someone's shadow, you are very close to them. El Shaddai isn't far away watching you struggle. He is near enough that his presence covers you.
"You are not alone in what you're facing."

When to Listen to This Episode
This meditation was created for specific moments — you don't have to wait for a quiet Sunday morning. Listen:
•       In the morning, before your thoughts begin racing
•       In the middle of the day when you feel tightness in your chest or shoulders
•       At night when you can't sleep and worry has taken over
•       Whenever you need your nervous system to remember what your heart already knows
More from the Be Still Series
This episode is part of a growing collection of scripture-centered meditations designed for anxious hearts. Each one focuses on a different name of God and a different passage of Scripture, pairing God's promises with gentle breathing and grounding exercises.
Can't Sleep Worrying? Psalm 121 for Peace at Night
For the 2 AM moments when your mind is moving and your heart is racing. Psalm 121 was written for travelers who didn't know what waited around the next bend. Its message is simple and steady: the one who keeps you will not slumber. When you cannot sleep, he is not asleep.
Perfect for: Sleepless nights and the worry that wakes you in the dark.
When Life Feels Overwhelming | God Walks With You (Isaiah 43)
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." God doesn't say if — he says when. This meditation holds space for seasons of overwhelm, grief, and uncertainty. You are created, redeemed, and called by name. You are not walking through the fire alone.
Perfect for: Seasons of transition, loss, or when life feels like too much.
Scripture Featured in This Episode
•       Psalm 91:1-2 — Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
•       Psalm 91:15 — I will be with you in trouble
•       El Shaddai — God Almighty, the All-Sufficient One
Connect with Michelle
If this episode resonated with you, Michelle would love to connect. She offers free 50-minute coaching consultations — real conversations where you can talk about what's going on and explore tools that might help. No strings attached.
Book a free consultation
Subscribe to Michelle's Newsletter
Visit michellediercks.com
Michelle's Books
Promised Rest and Promised Hope — both go deep into the names of God and how He meets us in our most anxious moments. You can find them on Amazon.
Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence
Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness

Have you ever noticed your stomach clenching, your shoulders tightening, or your chest going tight — even when you know God is in control? Even when you trust His promises?
 
You're not spiritually defective. You're not failing at faith. There's actually a beautiful, science-backed reason your body responds the way it does — and in this episode, Michelle  explains exactly what's happening and why it makes complete sense.
 

What This Episode Is About
In this deeply personal episode, Michelle shares a breakthrough moment that connected years of theological study, neuroscience learning, and her own experience as a mom navigating the empty nest season.
She explores how a mother's nervous system becomes trained — over years of scanning for danger, listening for sounds in the night, cutting food into small pieces — to protect the ones she loves. And then one day, the kids leave. But the nervous system? It doesn't get the memo.
"That dysregulation isn't a sign of weakness. It was love."

Whether you're a mom watching your child drive off to college for the first time, a parent of grown kids you can no longer protect, or simply someone whose body feels anxious even when your heart trusts God — this episode will feel like grace upon grace.
In This Episode You'll Discover
•       Why your nervous system stays on high alert long after the danger has passed
•       The science behind why you feel anxious even when you fully trust God — and why both can be true at the same time
•       Why Jesus isn't surprised by your nervous system — and isn't waiting for you to do better
•       Simple, practical tools to help your body settle when anxiety rises
•       How to move from shame and self-judgment to compassion for yourself
Practical Tools Mentioned in This Episode
Grounding — Plant Your Feet
Press both feet firmly into the floor. This signals to your nervous system: I am not running. I am safe.
Breath Reset
Breathe in for a count of four. Breathe out for a count of six. When your exhale is longer than your inhale, your body begins to understand — we are not running from a bear. Your nervous system starts to settle.
Color Scan
Look around the room. Choose your favorite color. Find five objects in that color. When you are calmly observing your environment, your brain begins to register: there is no immediate threat here.
Gentle Truth
While your body settles, quietly remind yourself of what is real. God's Word renews the mind and reshapes neural pathways — but sometimes we need to help our bodies calm down enough to receive it.
The Be Still Meditation Series
Michelle created these three scripture-centered meditation episodes specifically for the moments when you know what's true — but your body hasn't caught up yet. Each one includes gentle breathing, grounding exercises, and the promises of God's Word. They're designed for early mornings, anxious afternoons, or sleepless nights.
Episode 1: Rest from Anxiety | Bible Verses for When You Feel Overwhelmed (Psalm 91)
When worry feels bigger than you can carry, Psalm 91 reminds you of a shelter that was always yours. This meditation anchors you in El Shaddai — God Almighty, the all-sufficient one — who invites weary, worried people to dwell in his shadow. Not because they've gotten it together, but because they are his beloved children.
Perfect for: When anxiety feels overwhelming and you need to set down what you've been carrying.
Episode 2: Can't Sleep Worrying? Psalm 121 for Peace at Night
For the 2 AM moments when your mind is moving and your heart is racing. Psalm 121 was written for travelers who didn't know what waited around the next bend — and it speaks directly to the mom who can't sleep worrying about her kids. The one who keeps you will not slumber. When you cannot sleep, he is not asleep.
Perfect for: Sleepless nights, racing thoughts, and the worry that wakes you in the dark.
Episode 3: When Life Feels Overwhelming | God Walks With You (Isaiah 43)
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you." God doesn't say if — he says when. This meditation holds space for the seasons of overwhelm, grief, and uncertainty, anchoring you in the truth that you are created, redeemed, and called by name. You are not walking through the fire alone.
Perfect for: Seasons of transition, grief, overwhelm, or when you're walking through something that feels like fire.
Scripture Referenced
•       Psalm 91 — Dwelling in the shelter of the Most High
•       Psalm 121 — The Lord is your keeper
•       Isaiah 43 — Fear not, I have called you by name
Connect with Michelle
If this episode resonated with you, Michelle would love to connect. She offers free 50-minute coaching consultations — real conversations where you can talk about what's going on and explore tools that might help. No strings attached.
 
Book a free consultation
Subscribe to Michelle's Newsletter
Visit michellediercks.com
Michelle's Books
Promised Rest and Promised Hope — both go deep into the names of God and how He meets us in our most anxious moments. You can find them on Amazon.
Promised Rest: Finding Peace in God's Presence
Promised Hope: Finding Peace in God's Faithfulness

Does your heart feel shaken right now?
Social media feels like a war zone. The news is devastating. People you love are tearing each other apart. And you're already carrying your own heavy weight—relationship struggles, financial stress, health concerns, kids you're worried about.
You go online looking for connection and find division instead. The weight just keeps getting heavier.
If you're exhausted from trying to hold it all together, if you're weary of watching people fight, if you're searching for peace when the world feels like chaos—this episode is for you.
In This Episode, You'll Discover:
Why your heart feels shaken (and why that's a normal human response to chaos)
The powerful truth from Matthew 11:28-30 that Jesus spoke for moments exactly like this
How to recognize when you're carrying weight you were never meant to carry
The difference between feeling shaken and being shaken (Jesus is unshakeable even when you're not)
Why "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) is more than a pretty phrase—it's your lifeline
The REST framework: A 4-step process for laying down the weight you're carrying
How to sit with Jesus in your heaviest emotions without being crushed by them
Why you can hold both your real emotions AND God's unshakeable truth at the same time
This Episode Is For You If:
✓ You feel overwhelmed by world events and don't know how to process it
✓ Social media is exhausting you instead of connecting you
✓ You're tired of watching people you love fight and divide
✓ You're carrying anxiety about the state of the world on top of your personal struggles
✓ You need permission to step back from the chaos and find rest
✓ You're searching for peace but don't know where to find it
✓ You want a Christian perspective that doesn't demand you pick a political side
✓ You're weary of trying to hold everything together alone
✓ You need to remember that Jesus is unshakeable even when you feel shaken
What You'll Walk Away With:
🙏 Biblical Truth for Chaotic Times:
Matthew 11:28-30 — "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest"
Psalm 46 — "Be still and know that I am God"
Hebrews 12:28 — "A kingdom that cannot be shaken"
🧠 The REST Framework:
R - Recognize what you're carrying (name it honestly)
E - Experience it in your body (feel where the weight sits)
S - Sit with Jesus in it (bring it to your shelter)
T - Trust the process (lay it at His feet)
💙 Permission You Need:
You don't have to carry this weight alone
It's okay that your heart feels heavy
You can feel shaken and still trust the One who is unshakeable
Rest isn't something you create—it's something you receive from Jesus
You can step away from the chaos without stepping away from caring
Featured Song Reference:
"Rest for Your Soul" by Auston French
Key lyric: "There is one who knows the heavy you hold"
Key Scriptures:
Matthew 11:28-30 — Jesus' invitation to the weary: "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Psalm 46:1-2, 10 — "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea... Be still, and know that I am God."
Hebrews 12:28 — "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe."
Why This Message Matters Right Now:
The world feels chaotic. Social media feels toxic. People are losing their minds. And you're already carrying your own personal weight.
But here's the truth: You might feel shaken, but Jesus is not.
He's not panicking. He's not doomscrolling. He's not wringing His hands wondering what's going to happen next.
He is unshakeable. And He invites you to rest in Him.
This episode doesn't tell you what to think about current events. It doesn't demand you pick a political side. It simply offers you what you desperately need:
Rest for your weary soul. From the One who knows the heavy you hold.
Connect With Michelle:
If you're carrying weight that feels too heavy and you need someone to walk through it with you, I offer free 50-minute coaching consultations. These are real conversations where we can talk about what's weighing on your heart, and I can share tools that might help. [Schedule here: link]
More Episodes That Might Help:
If this episode resonated with you, check out The Be Still Series (Episodes from September-December). It's a 10-episode journey through:
Breaking anxiety spirals
Processing emotions instead of just thinking about them
Finding rest when everything feels out of control
Learning to be still when the world won't be
These episodes combine neuroscience, coaching tools, and Scripture to help you create new pathways from panic to peace.
A Note from Michelle:
Friends, I know your heart feels heavy. Mine does too. But Jesus is our shelter. He's our unshakeable kingdom. And He offers rest—not because we've figured it all out, but simply because He loves us.
You don't have to carry this alone.
Come to Him. Find rest for your soul.
With love and prayers for your weary heart,
Michelle