We all struggle sometimes with fear, afraid of the what-ifs in life. Sometimes, life seems totally out of control and we wonder where God is.
I remember when I was pregnant with Christian and three months into the pregnancy, the doctor told me there was something terribly wrong. She said we should terminate. This was absolutely unthinkable. I said to my little baby “I will fight for you! For every minute that you have on this earth.”
The next months were a rollercoaster of emotions. I was confused, afraid, questioning, and everything felt out of control. But I stood on the fact that God was with me, even in the pain, the not knowing and the brokenness.
A couple of weeks before Christian was born, the doctor called and told us that the day my tests came in the tests from another mother came in and her chart was put into mine and mine into hers. There was never anything wrong with Christian! Tears washed my face and soul. For myself and the other woman.
God is moving even when we can’t see Him. God is in control even when things seem out of control. God is good. God is for us even when things turn out differently than we expected.
When fear and anxiety descend on your life, here’s what God has taught me in my own life in my own struggles.
1. Don’t quit. Remind yourself that this life and our struggles are not a quick fix. Facing the “what-ifs” is a challenge, even when you’ve started to make progress, because it can be tempting to quit. God is a God of grace and He is faithful. He is our Father and He loves us.
2. Don’t let fear take control. Write down everything you’re afraid of. Fear is a huge obstacle and can paralyze us. Remind yourself of this promise every time fear begins to grab hold of your heart:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV).
This is thought to be the last letter Paul ever wrote. He was in prison and facing execution. He shows us that even in the darkest night we don’t have to be afraid because God is in control and He loves you so much.
3. Don’t give up. Tell God the truth that you have given up, it was too hard and that you’ve quit. Then ask Him to help you start again. Take the list of everything you’re afraid of and read it to Him. Change the place fear holds in your life.
F…fall on your face before Him.
E…earnestly seek Him.
A…ask you to give you His peace.
R…rest in His presence.
Resting in His presence changes everything.
It’s Okay Not to Be Okay is now available wherever you buy books:
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These are the 8 steps God used to move me forward after my struggle with depression.
It’s not another book or self-help. It’s GOD HELP and I really believe you and your friends will find this will help you move forward even if you feel stuck.
We’re on this journey together and God is right here holding our hands!
Much Love,
Sheila