My stepdaughter Deb, when she was a child, told me that I was the most anxious person she knew. I brushed it off, claiming I was a faith-filled, Bible-quoting, devil-stomping mighty woman of God—full of praise, power, and glory!
But looking back, Deb was right. I had been taught that fear was the opposite of faith and faith was the currency of blessings. No faith equaled no blessings. I needed blessings, so I hid my fear behind a façade of spiritual strength.
I am convinced that God does not want us to employ denial to handle our emotions or to hide behind a façade like the one I had built. I have learned that it pleases Him and honors Him when I am honest. If you are struggling with this, you are not alone. I have spoken with many believers who are afraid of being honest with God. Please talk to the Lord about such fears.
These days my heart rarely pumps out fear. But it is difficult in our topsy-turvy, fallen world to avoid all feelings of anxiety. It is challenging to not worry about what the future holds. Lately, I have caught myself worrying about family issues and pet health problems. As I prayed for God’s help, I noticed that my anxiety deepened.
When I asked God why, I realized a hidden heart belief was the source of my fear. I believed that I was the only person in the entire world who cared. This lie made me feel responsible for everything, blocking my trust in God’s care.
Philippians 4:5-6 says, The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
If the Lord is “at hand,” then it was time to shift away from begging for fixes to asking God to help me with my anxiety and distrust. I began praying, Lord, prove You care about what I care about. Teach me You’re safe to trust. As I prayed this way, my anxiety lessened and my problems no longer loomed like giants. I was able to relax.
Here are some prayers I am confident God will answer for you.
Dear Lord Jesus, help me recognize my fear and bring it to you. Please prove to me that You care about what matters to me. Teach me that You are reliable, trustworthy, and safe and that it is safe to leave my problems with You. Amen.
“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
God bless,
Susan
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