Lord, when things are fine, I’m fine.
When things are shaken up, I’m shaken.
I’m so tired of being the victim of my anxieties, my fears. I’m so tired of this undercurrent of dread I’ve always felt in my life. I’m tired…
I believe in my heart every single promise You have ever made.
I believe in my heart that You are with me every single step of my way.
I believe in my heart that for the rest of eternity, whether here or there,
I belong to You.
And yet, I’m always so nervous, Lord.
Others do not understand this.
They do not understand the shadow that haunts me – the niggling fear that’s always ready to pounce.
Oh, doesn’t someone know?
"My heart is troubled and restless.
Days of suffering torment me.
I walk in gloom, without sunlight."
Job – a righteous man – he understood.
"My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint.
My heart is like wax, melting within me.
My strength has dried up like sun-baked clay.
My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth…
Have mercy on me, LORD, for I am in distress.
Tears blur my eyes.
Have compassion on me, LORD, for I am weak.
Heal me, LORD, for my bones are in agony.
I am sick at heart…
I am worn out by sobbing."
David – a man after God’s own heart – he understood.
"I have had enough, LORD.
Take my life…"
Elijah – the great prophet – he understood.
He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.
Jesus…yes…He understood.
I sit quietly in the darkness of the night, unable to sleep. Worried, fretful, anxious, scared. I’m tired…
I pray.
"Oh Lord, I am poor and needy.
Please hurry to my aid.
You are my Help and my Savior.
Oh Lord, do not delay."
He comes to me.
My child,
I know.
I understand everything you feel.
I am with you – I really am.
And I have a plan – a good plan – I really do.
And someday I’ll make everything right again – I really will.
Believe what I say – really believe.
Rely on what I know – really rely.
Trust in what I do – really trust.
Give yourself to Me – completely – and be not afraid.
I AM here.
The LORD has heard my plea.
The LORD will answer my prayer.
In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe.
I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the LORD was watching over me.
I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me
on every side.
If God is for me, who can EVER be against me?
(Selections from Job, Psalms, 1 Kings, Luke, and Romans)
BLOG = “Blessedly Leaning On God!”
Hi Sharon -
ReplyDeleteYes, certainly we all have our moments...
We must fight to remember that our Lord has not given us a spirit of fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 - KJV,
"For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
This morning the Lord spoke to me and told me to fight...in totality, I am not sure what that means but I sense that He means to fight the forces of evil and to not let them consume me.
The Lord also reminded me yesterday through another incident and another Christian that our battles shall be more intense because Satan is rabid for souls as he knows that his time is shorter. Satan is out to devour us, Sharon, and all others who live for the most high.
Prayer:
Father, You are truly the MOST HIGH, and You are completely fearless. Please help us, Lord, to conquer our fears and to know that You are our fortress, refuge, strength, and joy. You are with us and no weapon that is formed against us shall prosper. We are Your heirs and joint heirs with Christ. We have a holy covenant with You, Lord, and thus, we are not mere mortals. Teach us, please, how to fight Satan more effectively with victories galore! Give us more understanding and peace within as we strive steadfastly to keep our minds stayed on You. Thank you, Lord - Amen
Wow. A great post.
ReplyDeleteI love the passages that you reference. I've read and reread and recited those words from David more than a time or two.
I think with me, here's the rub: Those men are all different from me in that they HAD their moments, but I ABIDE in those moments. Does that make sense? Job had legitimate reasons to lament but once "it" was over, we pretty much shut the book. The Book of Debbie looks too much like that song that never ends.
I want that particular beast of in my sin nature to GO this year. I want to learn to express the fear if I need to but not abide in it.
Sharon, thank you for sharing this very transparent and real message that many of us can relate to in various ways.
ReplyDeleteSharon, I also want to thank you for the beautiful prayer you left on my blog the other day.
Praying for you...
Love and blessings!
AMEN!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your visits to arise 2 write and sweet comments. We are still sick, but getting better each day. I am clinging to our Heavenly Father. HE is faithful!!
Blessings and prayers,
andrea
Romans 8:31 was something I held onto HARD in my teen years.
ReplyDeleteWe have all been there, if we are honest
ReplyDeleteenough to admit it, Sharon. Many, many
times in the Bible the Lord tells us to
"fear not." And of course we know that a
spirit of fear does not come from Him.
We know exactly where it comes from. We
have to keep our eyes firmly fixed on
Jesus and keep praising Him through to
every victory-over fear, anxiety, worry,
doubt,everything.
Love & Prayers,
Sandy
Hi Sharon,
ReplyDeleteYes lots of things still scare me too. thanks for sharing all these thoughts and scriptures, think of me as I think of you. I am so tired tonight and things tend to get a bit out of perspective for me then. God Bless - Nita
"What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee." When I feel overcome by fear, I cry out to the Lord, and ask Him to bind satan in the Name and by the power of Jesus, and to put a hedge of protection around me, to keep me from the evil one. I have to repeat Scripture, and say I will a lot. (I will trust in thee. I will rejoice and be glad in thee. I will not fear. Though God should slay me, yet will I praise Him. etc.) I listened to a fantastic message by Elisabeth Elliot this morning, all about God being the Stronghold of my life, and that He is in control. Go to my blog and at the bottom is a link to Elisabeth Elliot messages and then click on "A Stronghold in My Life"--it REALLY strengthened my faith and encouraged me. Satan likes to attack with fear. I often remind myself that fear is the antithesis of faith. We must also pray for each other to withstand the attacks of the devil. (I will pray for you. Will you pray for me?)
ReplyDeleteLove you, girl,
Wendy
Amen! Very encouraging post, Sharon! Just what I needed to read tonight....
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful writing! I love how you structured this post! You have encouraged me tonight!!!
ReplyDeleteI can remember days of great anxiety and turmoil within myself. It seems like the negative can suck us under and stomp on us til we can't breathe.
ReplyDeleteIn those nights when I couldn't sleep, I remember quoting the Psalm--"When I lie down, I fall peacefully asleep, for you alone O Lord bring security to my dwelling." My heart's deepest request was to fall peacefully asleep.
And the Lord, in His faithfulness and timing did grant that to me.
May He bring you the peace that passes understanding, the freedom from all anxieties as you dwell on everything good, virtuous, and worthy of our thoughts.
You have blessed others with your transparency and the Lord will bless you, my friend.
Praying for you,
Janis
How ironic is it that I laid down in bed, was way, WAY, *WAY* to anxious and fretful to actually sleep, and so here I ended up? Not ironic at all, perhaps...
ReplyDeleteObviously, this is something I quite literally needed to read right now. I have been carrying and dwelling on a whole heaping sack of fears lately, and it's a complete hindrance not just to my spiritual life but into my day-to-day life.
I couldn't have said it better if I were Job himself: "I am sick at heart…
I am worn out by sobbing."
The main thing, which is THE main thing, is to remember that I can't sob alone in my bed - I need to give it over to God.
Thanks, Sharon! And I just so happened to be on here to see your old comment be replaced by your new comment. And I am giggling at *you* being nervous about the original. Hee hee. No worries, friend! I thought it was funny. ;)
P.S. - I finished Genesis tonight 3 days into my B90x (Bible in 90 days) schedule. ;) I'm telling you so you can keep me accountable!
Sandra - Thank you for your prayer. What a blessing washed over me as I let your words sink in. Yes, I believe that the enemy's attacks are becoming more intense - his time is growing shorter. And I will join you in learning how to FIGHT - in the LORD'S strength.
ReplyDeleteDebbie - I totally get what you're saying. Just because fear knocks at the door, doesn't mean that I have to invite it in. The thing is - sometimes it just barges in like a home invasion. I get overwhelmed with it. However, I am with you in choosing to "stop the music" - and MOVE ON!
Lisa - Thank you for your kind comment. Been thinking about you, and praying. Please keep me posted on how you're doing. And as always, know that God is THERE, the ever present Help!
Andrea - Glad to hear you guys are getting better. Just about everyone I know has been/is sick with something. That time of year, I guess. And I love that you used the word "cling!" Sometimes, that's just what it feels like - CLINGING to the LIFE preserver, our Lord Jesus!
Parsley - Yes, that verse is like a Rock in a blustery storm, isn't it? I'm finding that holding on to it in my mid-life years is carrying me through some new storms. I'm gonna hold on HARD - just like you said.
Sandy - It IS interesting to me how many times "Fear not" is in the Bible. I am very comforted by the fact that God was gracious in acknowledging that this was going to be a problem for us. He knows the enemy better than we do. And thus, He is the ultimate Word against Him. Fear not - better translated as, "Don't be fooled by him..."
Nita - I think of you often every day. And I pray for you, too. I have felt a real connection with you - knowing that you understand these fears and depressions that can come so strongly sometimes. We will support each other in prayer - and in friendship. And we will remind each other of the ONE who has WON the victory!!
More responses - keep on reading - :)
Wendy - Thank you for your very good words. I WILL - isn't that the secret to conquering fear? Letting the emotions rage around you, yes - but then CHOOSING to let God's strength and power and peace keep you steady. It's late tonight, but I will check out that link to Elisabeth Elliot tomorrow. She would know a thing or two about fear, I would think - so I'm sure her message is very powerful. And yes, of course - I will be praying for you, dear friend!
ReplyDeleteKaren - I'm so glad! I just want to share God's encouragement with others. I think the name of your blog would be a good retort to those attacks of fear - Hallelujah Anyhow!! What do you think?! :)
Alisa - Thank you so much for stopping by tonight! I am so pleased that you found encouragement here! That's what it's all about, isn't it? Holding each other up with the precious promises of the Lord. After all, we're all in this boat together - and we need each other to help keep our eyes on the One Who Walks On Water!
Janis - Thank you for your very encouraging and kind words. You've said something so helpful. DWELL on the things that are WORTHY of my thoughts. I really liked that. Fear is a waste of time. The thoughts may come, but I need not dwell on them - instead, I must choose to abide in the promises of the Lord. I'm going to sleep in peace tonight with that thought in my mind.
Jennie - You caught me, huh?! I'm glad you thought the "original" comment was funny. But somehow it just didn't sit right with me! Oh, how sad it makes me feel to know that you've been struggling lately with the same "stuff" as me. But, I'm also glad that you understand. Fear is exhausting, and then when I'm tired, the anxious thoughts come more often, and I am less able to fight them off. However, as far as giving it over to God - for me, sobbing seems to be part of that process. It's almost like it releases the last little hold, and I am literally washed clean with my tears. THEN, God has a chance to come in and give me a Kleenex and say, "Silly girl. I've been here all along..." Will be praying for you - and AWESOME job on the Bible reading! WOO HOO!
Thank you, dear friends, for stopping by. Your words were a balm to my soul. Comforting and encouraging. I appreciate each one of you - for your friendship, of course - but also for the unique way each of you brings Jesus to me. And that is what you have done tonight - brought Him close to me. So now I lay down in peace, and sleep!
GOD BLESS each of you!!
Oh Sharon - another great blog lesson. And one I can so relate too. Hope you are doing well. sandie
ReplyDeleteSandie - Thank you. I knew you would understand. I'm doing OK - just plugging along, fighting some fears - but learning to stand firm in faith.
ReplyDeleteGOD BLESS!