Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5,6
I found myself, a few years ago, in the hospital. I couldn't breathe well, my heart was racing and there was a frightening pressure on my chest as I cried out to God for peace. My husband stayed with me through the night as they did many tests. Some of you can guess the diagnosis. What seemed to be a heart attack was not that at all. I wasn't dying. I wasn't even close to dying. I was "anxious." What??!! I was insulted as the doctor told me this. Me? I thought, "I'm a woman of faith, I can't be anxious!" But I was anxious. Anxious enough to feel like I was dying.
I felt so foolish. This was the first panic attack I had ever had, but it was not the last. I continued to suffer for many months. The more panic I experienced, the more frequently the attacks came. Some of you know exactly what this feels like, don't you? Yes, fear is greedy. Fear wants me and fear wants you too.
Did you know that anxiety is on the rise by huge numbers in this country? And did you know that women are far more likely to suffer with it than anyone else? There are physical factors that can contribute to anxiety. There are also emotional and spiritual factors.
I thank God because I no longer experience panic attacks. I do wrestle with anxiety at times, but, by God's grace and the help of some really great friends, I'm winning more battles these days.
I asked you at the beginning, What has fear ever done for you?
I can tell you that fear stole from me and lied to me and almost crippled me.
But Jesus.
Jesus is the only reason I would talk with you about all this. Jesus saw me as a 7th grade girl in my school library reading books on the after life and witchcraft and the occult and anything supernatural I could find. He saw the way that fear was pushing me to find answers in all the wrong places. He rescued me out of that and as a 14 year old 8th grader, He revealed His love to me and completely convinced me that He was my Savior.
He saved me and washed me clean. This is when everything became new again and I no longer walked by myself through the hallways of my school. I was not alone in life anymore...but I didn't always realize it.
Jesus saw me as that 8th grade girl, still gloriously saved, and yet physically sick for days around the idea of having to present a book report out loud in front of my class.
He saw me. He sees you too.
He is merciful. He doesn't want His children to be ruled and controlled by fear. Did you know: He has plans for you! He has people He wants you to love in His name. Places He wants you to go in His name. Risks He wants you to take in His name.
He calls us to things bigger than ourselves and bigger than we could ever accomplish in "our own understanding."(proverbs 3:5,6)
I encountered Jesus as a 14 year old, suicidal girl. There was so much to live for! I suddenly wanted to live - and - find out about my purpose. The way I experienced God's love on a daily basis was overwhelming and it changed the direction of my life completely. I told the Lord that I was willing to follow Him anywhere and do anything for Him as long as He was with me!
You may have had a similar experience. Maybe you can relate to Peter.
John 4:18-20 "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother, Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fisherman. 'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' At once they left their nets and followed Him."
(Let's explore this amazing story together next time! See you tomorrow!)
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