You Are Seen: Encouragement for Teens Who Struggle With Stress and AnxietySample

Day 1: God Knows You and Your Future

God Made You with Purpose
You might be worried about your future, but God is not. The words in Psalm 139:16 (NIV) remind us that God designed each day of our lives with love and purpose:

“Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

The Lord not only understands you better than anyone, but He also knows what each day of your life is going to be like. He knows your inner thoughts and worries about whether you’ll be sitting alone at lunch or what grade you’ll get on that math test. This is why we can trust that everything that has happened and will happen is in God’s good hands.

It’s amazing to think that God was watching you even be­fore you were born! Psalm 139:13 says that He actually “knit” you together: “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb” (NIV). You are not an accident! Anxiety builds when we view our bodies with shame, but the Bible tells us that God, in His goodness, designed our bodies intentionally. He has a purpose in design­ing your height and the color of your eyes—and even more, He has a design for your life. Don’t allow your thoughts to tell you anything opposite of what the Bible says about you or God. Trust that He knows what’s happening today, tomorrow, and each day ahead, just like He knows every detail of your being.

Ephesians 2:10 says that you are God’s work of art! “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (NLT). And Philippians 1:6 says, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion” (NIV). In His eyes, you are His masterpiece! God’s got this—and God’s got you! He is setting things up to meet your needs and help you make the most of every day.

Reflect:

Do you struggle with trusting that God sees you in your moments of anxiety? Tell Him what you are anxious about today and trust that He cares about you.

Prayer:

God, I don’t know what will happen later today, but I know You do. I trust that You will be with me no matter what I face. Help me to think positive thoughts about what’s next in my life and not to worry, even if things are hard right now. You made me. And You know me. I’m not an accident. Thank you for giving me life and help me make the most of it. In Jesus’ name, amen.