Replacing Fear with Faith
Today I’m sharing what’s been on my heart. I was nervous last time I shared about finding contentment, but was surprised to hear so many other women struggle with the same thing. Thank you to those who commented and encouraged my heart.
Fear & Worry. I think it’s very common for moms to worry. In fact, I think it’s common for anyone to worry. There are so many things we can worry about: finances, relationships, jobs, school, health, success, pregnancy, the future, and the list goes on and on.
I remember worrying about Troy when he was about 4 months old. My mom was watching him while I was working and she brought him to a doctor appointment with her. The dr. noticed a small ridge on his head and brought fear and worry into our lives when he said he had craniosynostosis. This would mean he would likely have surgery and wear a helmet to correct his ridge on his head. Of course I googled it and worried even more. After a couple different doctors looked at his head they found no problems with it and said that the ridge would change as he grew. I felt silly for being so worried. Why didn’t I just trust God and leave it in His hands? I let fear and worry take over.
I can think of many times that I’ve worried. Most recently, I’ve been worried about health. It seems that many people I know (mostly family) are struggling with health issues. My mom had a stroke 3 months ago, and most recently my grandmother passed away. With these two things and more, I’ve been overanalyzing health issues in my own life just because I’m fearful something might happen to me. Worrying doesn’t get me anywhere…it just stresses me out and makes me lose focus on what’s important! We get consumed by fear when we dwell on it and don’t seek truth in God’s word. As I was thinking about my anxieties, I realized that I hadn’t been giving them to God or spending as much time reading His word in the Bible. That makes a huge difference in my life!
I need to pray, trust, rest, and have faith that God is in control. I desperately need to remember that! I love this quote from Elizabeth Elliot in her book, Secure in the Everlasting Arms
“A prayerful heart and an obedient heart will learn, very slowly and not without sorrow, to stake everything on God Himself.”
My sweet grandmother passed away last week. She was 87 and lived a wonderful and full life. She had many health problems in her life including polio and scoliosis. She never complained or was fearful of what would happen to her. In the bulletin from her funeral, there was a short letter that she wrote in 1981. It said: I shall welcome death and have life, with great joy, because I will be with my Lord & Savior! That is how I want to life- with no fear of death because of my trust in the Lord.
Isn’t it amazing when we go to church and the message speaks right to our heart? That happened to me yesterday. The pastor was speaking about the Kingdom of God. He stated that when we are living in the Kingdom of God, we are in a no worry zone. When our thoughts, actions, and life are completely aligned with God and His will, we have peace. That is the Kingdom of God. His message hit home for me and is something I’ve been meditating on.
It is hard to go through a day without worrying. When we watch the news, we can get worried about our country or the latest health scare. My prayer for you today is that you choose to trust God and not dwell in fear or worry. Let Him take control and bring your anxious thoughts to Him. Pour out your hear to him–He wants to hear you! I would love to pray for you have something in your life that you are worried about. Please email me or leave a comment if you would like to share.
I certainly will struggle with fear and worry throughout my lifetime. I am not perfect and need God’s grace daily. But today, I challenge you to replace your fear with faith in our everlasting Father.
Can I please ask did you son in the picture end up needing surgery? I ask because I’ve been searching high and low to figure out why my daughter has the same ridge since birth and she’s 7 1/2 months old now and I don’t feel like I’m getting answers from pediatrician. I know I need to give it to God and I’m letting fear get best of me. Hope to hear back from you soon! Thank you for sharing your story.
Hi Andrea! He ended up not needing surgery and everything is fine! I know that doesn’t probably help you, but I do hope you get the answers you need! Hang in there, mama!
Guys read your blog too! 🙂
Thank you for sharing these encouraging words in this time of anxiety with the global health concerns around us.
Peace and blessings to you
Struggles are for everyone, but we have been made different by responding to them. I had a lot of struggles and I thank all the people who have supported and encouraged me in times of trial. Thank you very much for sharing this encouraging post.
That’s very true. Thanks for sharing!
Hi there, my name is Tina and I’m from Australia. I’ve had Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for a many years now (since I was 26 years of age, now 50 years of age). The first few years of having it, it was quite scary but as time has gone on, ive managed it as best as possible and i’m very grateful that im living a normal daily life in terms of working and managing household etc. I have a husband who is an absolute angel and a stepson that im really proud of. He is 21 years of age now and (he has lived with us since he was 13) and he also has turned into a true gentleman.
I guess because of the Chronic Fatigue I have suffered from anxiety but it is usually triggered when I know im going to do something that might make me relapse or compromise my health in some. Lets just say im a little traumatised of going back there again. Ten years ago I my partner and I went to Greece and the last time I had made that trip, I felt extremely exhausted, bad vertigo (which is a symptom that has remained with me) and very very minimal sleep. I felt that a lot my fatigue came from being so nervous the whole time and extremely anxious everyday. By the time I got back I was a mess and of course even more anxious about how I was going to get myself back to where I was…the sleepless nights continued for months. It took me a good 5 months to start to feel myself with help of medication also.
Now finally getting to the point, in 2018 I built up the courage to try that trip again nly because I really felt amazing all the years after that and I too had surrended to God. These were the best years I had had in a long time…..but when it came to the crunch
to go on this trip 2 weeks before that I had a bad panick attack and cancelled the trip through sheer fear that these attacks will continue overseas. I did not trust myself at all. Even after cancelling the trip I continued to have negative thoughts about myself telling myself I must be crazy and all sorts of terrible things. I finally stopped being as cruel to myself only in the last few weeks however im desperately trying to feel like I did before when I had surrendered to God. Its there I can see it I want to go into that path but I keep getting pulled back and comparing myself to other peoples anxiety stories and saying “surely I cant be different to everyone else” “why am I seeing the light and there are other people suffering every day” surely it couldn’t be that simple”….But yet I have been there before and it has been beautiful. Please pray for me and let me see that light and never look back.xxxxxx
I am so sorry to hear this. I said a prayer for you. Asking that you’ll find peace and answers.
Thank you again for sharing. Worrying is something I struggle with also and have spent much time praying about. I have noticed also that it gets a much stronger hold on me when I drift from my daily bible studying or time in prayer. It’s nice to read about your common struggle and feel normal and encouraged. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing as well! I feel the same way–I worry more when I’m not in the Word! I have to remember this daily otherwise I get off track! Thanks for your comment.
Lovely and a good reminder. Thanks for sharing your heart!
Thanks, Kara! Hope you are doing well at your new job!
I think this is something we all struggle with at some point. Thank you for being so honest.
Thanks, Ticia! Yes, I do think it is something we all struggle with. Thankful for God’s truth in His Word to calm my heart. Thanks for your comment!
Thank you for sharing this Angela! Good reminder as I start my week. It makes such a huge difference when my focus is on the “what ifs” of life versus keeping my eyes on God and what is happening in the here and now. After reading 1,000 Gifts, I am making every attempt to live life fully in each moment of my day.
Thanks, Susan! So glad it was a good reminder for you. I love that book and the concept of fully living each moment of every day. Life is so short and I don’t want to be consumed with worry and fear! Thanks for commenting.
I am learning this. My kids are adopted and we home educate them. I know I am giving them the best I can. I know I work hard for them and play with them and I love them. I still find it hard not to worry, especially with issues (and there are plenty) that arise from their very damaged start in life. Things I get I cannot go back and change but we are doing our very best to give them a whole new set of great experiences and expectations of life. Still, I find myself wondering, what happens if I don’t get this right now? Are they doomed to drugs and alcohol and mental health issues? Very common for kids like ours to end up in terrible circumstances and very common for them to not. So, I worry that I am arming them with enough love and security to get through the difficult times in their life. I am slowly learning that worrying won’t actually do anything. If I do my best everyday then the rest is in Gods loving hands and I am sure he wants them to have a good life. I know he wants the best for them. I know he loves them at least as much as I do. I just have to keep hold of this. Thank you for this, it is nice to know I am not the only one who sruggles with this.
Hi Gina! I am sure it is especially tough not to worry about your children since you had no control over their life prior to coming to you. I love your attitude and mindset–to leave everything in God’s loving hands. He see your heart and knows all that you are doing to show your children love and to instill Godly values in their lives. Thank you for sharing your heart and I will pray for you. I have a heart for adoption and hopefully someday can adopt as well. 🙂
Prayer Gina. Please pray for my kids and grandkids too. Some of them are going through a very hard season. Just keep doing your best. God will bless the work you are putting in.