Have you ever been so overcome by fear that it has overshadowed every part of your being?
That is how I felt this past week. My husband was due to go all the way to the U.S.A. from our home in New Zealand for three weeks. The craziest, worst-case-scenario scenes of plane, train, and automobile accidents were flashing before my eyes at record breaking speed.
You see, twelve years ago I went through a huge family tragedy, and the trauma and fear of loss still affect me when it comes to my loved ones taking long trips (will share about my experience with you in the near future).
I simply could not manage to pull myself out of the mental rut of imagining my husband lying in a ditch somewhere, no matter how hard I tried.
I couldn’t.
I felt as though I was in a deep pit, and closed myself in allowing only a select few with me into the darkness:
What I didn’t realize, my friend, was that God was in that pit with me, as He is with you in your deepest time of need, too. He is all you need. Even though your fear may blind you, God will lead you graciously by the hand to a place where you can see.
For me, this came in the most unexpected place – my Inbox!
The day when my fears seemed to culminate into the most all-encompassing anxieties, I opened an email that I received from WomenLivingWell.org, and what should the title be?
5 Ways to Worry Less About Your Husband’s Safety
I literally could not believe my eyes when I read those words, and the brilliant, yet simple suggestions that Courtney laid out.
I cried, prayed, and went to sleep.
I woke up the next morning with the greatest peace.
Fear was gone.
Worry stilled.
Joy restored.
Trust renewed.
Such is the work of our great and awesome God!
This was not my doing. I was unable to lift myself out of the miry pit. God used the encouragement of a precious sister in the Lord, through a blog post, to reach me in my time of darkness.
Because, really… if you think about it for a moment, even if the “worst” happened, it would actually be the best that could possibly come to pass, from God’s perspective.
You can trust that out of God’s perfect and holy love for you, He simply would not allow anything into your life that He did not sovereignly ordain for you to handle, with His help and strength. Any circumstance that God prescribes for your life, is ultimately for your best, and for His glory. That thought alone can be life-changing!
Well, my husband did make it safely to his destination. We are 19 hours time difference apart, he is driving on the “wrong” side of the road, and I have no control over the situation. But the Lord’s peace is reigning still in my heart.
He is your rock, my friend, and no matter what happens, you can know that your loved ones are dwelling safely in the palm of His beautiful Hand!
These words in Psalm 40:2-3 display my experience so well:
Photo Credit: Flickr/actionShots-R-UsTweetables:
Even though your fear may blind you, God will lead you graciously by the hand to a place where you can see. (click to tweet)
Any circumstance that God prescribes for your life, is ultimately for your best, and for His glory. (click to tweet)
Bonus Tweetable: Jack Hyles: “Do not ask for fears to be removed; ask for courage equal to the fears.” (click to tweet)
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Wonderful article. I enjoyed reading it. Tweeting to share your message.
Thank you for taking the time to share your post with us at Snickerdoodle Sunday!
~Laurie
Wow, what perfect timing, and such a blessing! Thanks for linking up at Friday Frivolity!
Fear is a tool of the enemy. It is confident in satan over God and His word.
Thank God for His presence even in the midst of the storm. Thank God for your husband's safety.
Thank you for your sweet comment, Ugochi. You're a blessing! xoxo
Amazing post, Tehila!
"God was in that pit with me, as He is with you in your deepest time of need, too. He is all you need. Even though your fear may blind you, God will lead you graciously by the hand to a place where you can see." <--- This is such an encouraging and powerful truth!
Thank you so much for sharing this, beautiful friend! GOD bless you, Love! :-)
Thank you for your encouragement, sweet Tai! God is truly an ever present help in times of trouble (and always!)
xoxo
Powerful post! Jesus is with us in the pit, giving us everything we need. Thank you for the wonderful encouragement. Many blessings to you!
Amen to your powerful and precious words, Beth! God bless you, sweet sister xoxo
When fear rears it's ugly head, I have to just speak God's truth over my life. Or sing songs in worship that remind me of who He is and all He's done. Lately the song from Bethel, I'm no longer a slave to fear...has been on repeatedly on my playlist. My kids even sing it too. It doesn't take much for the enemy to take the slightest "in" in our lives so I've found this helps when I want to be fearful. And trust me, I'm in circumstances where fear easily can grip me. Thanks for sharing.
I must look that song by Bethel up, Allison. You're so precious to be so vulnerable here, and to so openly relate to my story and the fear that can so easily entangle us. Worship is also a fantastic way to get our minds off our fearful thoughts. Thank you so much for stopping by here. I loved having you!!! xoxo
I love your thoughts here on faith vs. fear. I had a similar realization a year ago while I was sitting in the hospital waiting room practically having a heart attack during my baby's surgery. God really does take care of it all.
Visiting via Beauty In His Grip blog link-up. I am so sorry for your deep loss. I cannot imagine receiving such news. But oh am I thankful to hear of how God has walked beside you, gently guiding you into the power of His Love for you. It encourages me so much to read this.
God has been amazing in guiding me into His Love as well. In the past one and a half years, He has encouraged me to face my worst fears, by leaning into His soothing, shielding and embracing Love, through the awful clutches of PTSD and grief, into His loving arms. I am still walking a difficult path, stumbling and falling, but He is busy completing His work in me and I am beginning to taste the fruits of freedom. It is SO exciting and freeing!
Oh Anna! Thank you so much for sharing your struggles and walk of faith through them. YOU are the encouragement and inspiration! May the Lord continue to strengthen, support, and grow you through the trials that He has found you worthy to endure... God bless you, my friend. Glory to glory!!! xoxo
How have I missed this post when I thought had read everything on your blog already. I just posted about overcoming anxiety and fear - and not two hours later, I am feeling all anxious and panicky. An attack by the evil one, I am sure. But, it does truly help to remember who is in control. And who gave the gifts of peace and love. And who gave us fear.
That peace that surpasses all understanding is such a gift. A couple months ago I was in a plane that was rocking and dropping at a pace so quickly I was pretty sure this could be the end. The young man next to me was in an absolute cold sweat. The flight attendants ran (literally ran) down the aisles to their seats. We were dropping fast. And that peace you mentioned gripped me and I simply began to pray. I began praying for my husband's life without me and that God would truly bless his days ahead. I prayed peace over him in my absence (and I, selfishly, prayed it would take him at least a few years to find a new wife - LOL). But I had complete calm. I guess when you know you've overcome death, it's not as scary. NOW, on the other hand if this was happening to my husband, I'd be all kinds of messed up - sobbing and such. I guess it's easier for me to accept my time on earth coming to a close than the ones I love the most.
Wow, Fawn! What an ordeal! I read your comment out to my husband and we were both reliving that tense moment with you. Praise God for His peace that surpasses understanding, and how focused you were in those potentially fatal moments. I'm with you on not really minding if anything happens to me... I know where I'm going... it's not wanting anything to happen to my loved ones that is the hard part.
I'll have to remember to pray that my hubby takes a few years to find someone again :-) LOL...
Blessings, dear one xx