Fear and Anxiety

---

Psalm 32:8     I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

Isaiah 54:10     ” . . . For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed.” says the LORD, who has mercy on you.

Jeremiah 29:11-13     For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.9:11-13  

Jeremiah 31:3     The LORD has appeared to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you. . . 

Matthew 6:27     Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

John 3:16     For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Romans 5:8     But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 8:18    For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  

Romans 8:28     And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Ephesians 2:10     For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

1 John 4:18-19     There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.   We love Him because He first loved us.

 

We all deal with different things that threaten our comfort, make us anxious.  It may be an illness or a potential diagnosis that needs further follow-up, a sudden accident where someone is seriously hurt, maybe with a life threatening diagnosis, or at least a severe life altering trauma–severe head or spine injury, an amputation of a limb.  Or it may not be an accident, but perhaps a child or sibling we love grabbed, kidnapped and maybe forced into sexual slavery.  There could be illnesses and dependent needs in a parent or both parents.  Sometimes there are financial issues that have suddenly come about and have caused a feeling of severe threat. 

Any kind of serious change to our status and norm causes some kind of anxiety–may be a positive anxiety–a reward, an unexpected gift, a much deserved acknowledgment, a child gets a desired part in a play, or a sport position, etc.  Our first thoughts tend to be of negative stresses, but even positive changes can add anxiety to our normal routine, and increase our stress.  The offer of a new job and an increase in pay can also bring a good reward, yet it may become a large stress–and could be something that becomes a black hole.  One could be expected to spend a lot more hours at a thankless, unsatisfactory job, keeping us from family time, spending down time with friends and interfering with church and “God time.”

Generally, we assume anxiety is always caused by bad news.  But that is not always true.  Some good news can create added stress and pressure to one’s life.  It may be the much desired part in a play means your child cannot take the bus home daily because of the need to practice the part–and now requires a ride home.  A parent may have to finish a project and is not able to pick the child up as planned at the end of practice, so the child has to wait longer.  That could mean hanging out at the school where ‘an acquaintance’ can offer the child a ride–and then never makes it home; or you know that the child will have to spend longer working on homework and studying, and you are feeling the pressure of being responsible for picking up on time, getting your own duties done–and you still have to face something for dinner.

We all face times of frustration, impatience, ‘why, God, why?’ times.  But early acknowledgment and recognition of those times coming are a test–how will you deal with this problem today?  Will you get grumpy?  Will you be frustrated?  Will you think it through and do your best to handle each portion of the problem in the best way?  Will you acknowledge that God will get you through and all will be okay?  First, notify the child, ask family member, neighbor, friend, church member to do the favor of getting your child.  Second, can you take the project home and work on it once child has gone to bed?  Third, the best take out option for dinner?  Or is there a frozen family dinner in the freezer that will work?  (And thankfully, you don’t have to use them often?   And fourth, is there a niggle of doubt that this job might not be the best fit for you and your family?   Is there another direction God has?  

Seek God and He will send you an answer and reassurance about a new position or what He feels is best for you and your family.  We need to remember that He wants the best for us.  That does NOT mean always a smooth sail, but it does mean He is with us and will help us, comfort us, show us the best alternatives, and remind us of how much He loves us.

God does test us, and sometimes allows Satan to take aim and cause havoc.  But we must always remember God is in charge, He loves us, and He has a good plan for each of us–even when we are sometimes going through catastrophic episodes.  He has a purpose, a plan for our life, and we need to remember throughout how generous, giving, and full of mercy He has been throughout.  No matter what, cling to God.  He has a plan, He loves you, and your suffering may just be the shining glory of Him that another sees.

But fear, anxiety are Satan’s enticing tools for you to doubt God, to take an easy fix that sounds good yet may not be the best for you or your family.  Satan wants you to FAIL.  He has no love, is ruthless in his desire to ruin and hurt others and pulls them away from God’s love, grace, and mercy through his lies, deception, stealing, and frequent reminders of you walking in this thick mire alone, with no hope, and nothing positive to expect.

That kind of fear is an unbelief of God–not fully doubting God, but enough that you hear Satan’s whispery lies that you are not  worth of God’s love, so He certainly won’t be giving you a positive outcome in whatever situation you are facing.  Those are LIES by the sneaky, devious SATAN.  Do not listen.  Remind yourself of the verses you KNOW that protect you when these lies sneak through.  Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 2:10.

God’s love is so much deeper, unconditional than ours.  Long before we were born, He created us with faults, limitations, sins, and knew who and how we would grow.  That is so awesome and something I cannot totally fathom.  But am thankful for!  But God’s love gives us promises of strength, not being alone–even though at times we may feel totally alone–and knowing Him, and knowing HIs promises reminds us He is with us in our fear.  His love was sacrificial as He willingly followed HIs Father’s edict to die on the cross after suffering abuse, humiliation, pain, and shame, suffering and giving His life, so I could have eternity with Him.  His love is totally about us, wanting the best for us, wiling to die for us, to be the sacrifice for MY selfish sins, and His love is everlasting and unconditional.   Wow.

Lord, my God, You have shown me repeatedly Your love, Grace and Mercy toward me–when I know I have messed up so often.  And still, Your unconditional love holds.  So even when I become fearful with whatever issues have reared an ugly head, I can calm myself knowing You are there, You want the best for me, and somehow (although I can see no possibility of an issue being positively redeemed–You redeem it!)  And I get to brag about Your glory, Your means of fixing an issue I thought was a huge hole to climb out.  Thank You for choosing me, for loving and guiding me, and for being so gracious to me and ‘mybellaviews.’