Defeating Fear and Worry

We all face challenges from the difficult situations that confront us.  How do we respond to scary news like losing a job, a family member being in a major accident, a loved one being diagnosed with a serious medical condition, an unexpected financial problem, or anything facing us that is out of our control?  How we respond in the midst of crisis is crucial to being an overcomer.

I remember the day my doctor told me I had multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer.  Knowing someone who had recently died from myeloma made this news even more of a shock and a definite spiritual battle for me.  How was I supposed to respond?  My first response was to get anxious and to worry – not a very overcoming attitude! However, I knew that this was not the response that God desired from me.  As I walked with Jesus through my disease and ultimate healing, the Lord taught me about the uselessness of worrying.  Some of the wisdom the Lord shared with me is given below.

Overcoming worry and fear

“You are worried and distraught over so many things that are out of your hands. To worry about these things that you cannot change in your own strength is a work of futility, for these are things outside of your control.  Most of them will come to outcomes that are of no consequence. Very few of the issues you worry about actually turn out to be trouble. But, even in those, to worry is futile. For worry changes nothing! All it does is increase your fear and decrease your faith.

So what to do instead of worry? The answer is obvious: pray!  Come to Me, bring the issue or situation, the person or challenge to Me.  For I am able to overcome all problems, all issues, and all negative situations. There is nothing outside of My influence, nothing!

In all things I am at work; and My work is always good.  So in anything that gives you worry and fear, give it to Me in prayer. Then, because I hear your every prayer, expect Me to act for good in the very situation you are bringing to Me.  Expect My response to come forth, for that is what I do. I work everything out for good. My good is the best for that moment, that time, and that situation.  You can rest in Me.

Victory through rest

The key to overcoming worry and fear is to pray until I give you rest. Then, rest in the full expectation of My perfect response.

Rest in faith. This faith, this belief in Me, comes from My ongoing love and My proven answers from your past. It is these experiences that build your faith. It is this faith that is the foundation for your rest. And it is this rest, based on Me, My life, My nature, My character and integrity, that becomes your strength. For your strength comes out of your rest.”

One thing I learned from having cancer was that the Lord was in the midst of my every need.  When I would come to Him in prayer, He would answer and give me rest.  When I would remember and testify of His marvelous works, He gave me rest.  It was His supernatural rest that gave me the peace, hope and strength to persevere, to overcome and to not worry!  The words from Romans 8:28,  “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” became very real to me.

This is God’s desire for everyone of us, to live out of His rest (Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 4:11).  First come to Him.  Bring your needs, pray and rest in His wonderful, loving care.  Remember what He has done and tell others of His great works in your life.  This will revive your faith and dispel your fears and worries. Get into His comforting presence and receive His rest.

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