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/