I can’t sleep. Anxiety wakes me before dawn and I feel it’s vice-like grip wrapping around my stomach, pressing hard on my chest. Thoughts roil and spin as my pulse quickens. Bile rises in the back of my throat as one silent message after another ticks across the screen of my mind like the captions of a silent movie.
[bbctt tweet="Help me, Lord!I don't utter the words aloud, but they pour from my soul thick with worry and fear.#overcomingfear#anxiety#worry"]
Help me, Lord! I don’t utter the words aloud, but they pour from my soul thick with worry and fear.
I know I’m meant to pray and I resort to intercession for the dear ones on my heart. I can’t imagine a good outcome. How could anything worthy or beautiful come from an ugly, sin-ridden situation like this one? How can God possibly bring something beautiful from the rubble?
So I continue whispering my prayers and sending them to the heart of the Father. I’m still restless throughout the day, even preoccupied at times. But the sensation of a weight sitting on my chest is gone. In it’s place? I’m reminded again and again of His faithfulness to His children.
When Naomi lost hope, God gave her Ruth.
When Mary heard of Christ’s impending birth, God sent her to Elizabeth.
When David faced the sword of the king, He offered protection through Jonathan.
When Shadrack, Meshack, and Abendego walked through the fire, the Lord stood with them.
When the waves washed over Peter, Jesus pulled him from the depths.
When the enemy laughed because He’d thought he’d overcome, Christ rose from the grave.
I am not the only one to experience both joy and sorrow, celebration and grief, or delight and despair. Because we live in a world designed by God but polluted by the enemy, time will oscillate between glimpses of heaven and encounters with hell.
For. A. Time.
Then Christ will scoop each of His children up in the arms of eternity. The sorrow? Destroyed. The grief? Overcome. The despair? Decimated. Instead, we will only know and remember the love, mercy, and grace of the God who brought us through it all.
I long for the timelessness of all that is good and beautiful, don’t you? In the meantime, our wrestling with worry, anxiety and fear can take a back seat to the faithfulness of God.
[bbctt tweet="If He extended grace before the cross, what will He do for you now? You are safe beneath His wings.#loved#treasured#saved."]
If He extended grace before the cross, what will He do for you now? Oh, Friend, you are safe beneath His wings.
Perhaps you’re struggling this week in the same way I have. Why not recite these words of hope as a proclamation of God’s love for you. Complete the __________ with your name as a reminder that you are beloved by Him.
When _______________ lost hope, God gave her Jesus.
When ________________ knew of impending trials or accusations, God sent her Jesus.
When ________________ faced the sword of the king, He offered protection through Jesus.
When ________________ walked through the fire, the Lord stood with her.
When the waves washed over _________________, Jesus pulled her from the depths.
When the enemy laughed because He’d thought he’d overcome __________________ , Christ rose from the grave.
Then, print off this list of verses to pray over and recite when the enemy comes at you with fear and anxiety. You can print them here.
Peace and grace,
Tammy
I often link up with the following wonderful bloggers:
Mondays Sunday Thoughts / InstaEncouragements/ Anita Ojeda Mandy and Michele
Tuesdays RaRa Linkup /GraceFull Tuesday / Tell His Story/Anchored Abode, Dance with Jesus
Wednesdays Recharge Wednesday / Welcome Wednesday /LetsHave Coffee/ Porch Stories
Thursdays Heart Encouragement / Tune In Thursday /Salt and Light / Five Minute Friday
Fridays Dance With Jesus / Faith N Friends / Fresh Market Friday / Grace and Truth / Faith on Fire / Blogger Voices Network/
I needed these verses to pray over someone today. Thank you, Tammy. Popped over from the dancing with Jesus link up.
Hi Lauren. I’m so glad they were a help to you. Joining you in prayer. Peace and grace, Tammy
Love this, Tammy! Personalizing those verses really makes them grab my heart! Blessings!
Hi Deb. I’m so glad! Peace and grace, Tammy
This collection of verses is such a great resource. Thank you
My pleasure, Julia. Thanks for visiting! Peace and grace, Tammy
Love that you pointed out how God provides support in friendships, and the personalized affirmations along with a great list of verses is very powerful. Many Thanks 8)
Hi Debra Jean.
His word is a powerful tool and words are meant to build others up. I’m grateful you found encouragement here today.
Peace and grace,
Tammy
This was a very timely post for me to read. This basically described my morning this morning after a very stressful late night at work and very uncertain and toxic times in my job. It’s time to look for a new job and at my age, there is uncertainty in that.
I feel like reading your post was a God-ordained appointment.
Thanks so much for the encouragement.
Karen, I’m praying for you right now that God will abundantly meet your needs and show Himself faithful to you in every area. May the Father who loves you surround you with arms of comfort as He guides you in a new direction.
I’m blessed knowing you were encouraged today. Praise God for His love for us!
Peace and grace,
Tammy
Thank you for the verses, and I especially liked the fill-in-the-blank assignment as a reminder!
I love this whole post but I especially loved this part. Thank you for these beautiful reminders.
“When Naomi lost hope, God gave her Ruth.
When Mary heard of Christ’s impending birth, God sent her to Elizabeth.
When David faced the sword of the king, He offered protection through Jonathan.
When Shadrack, Meshack, and Abendego walked through the fire, the Lord stood with them.
When the waves washed over Peter, Jesus pulled him from the depths.
When the enemy laughed because He’d thought he’d overcome, Christ rose from the grave.”
It was my pleasure, Tina. I’m grateful God has shown us the lives of other people to whom He has been faithful. He knew we’d need encouragement!
Thank you for blessing me with your words of encouragement.
Peace and grace, Tammy
I needed this Tammy! My family is moving through a season of change and it is easy to get overwhelmed by fear of the unknown. Thanks for reminding me of God’s faithfulness!
Thank you so much for sharing my post. I hope it ministers to many hearts! Peace and grace, Tammy