My Weekend Adventure
Over this past weekend, I battled my social fear of going to unfamiliar settings and being in public.
My mom and I went to see a play and with her being a new driver, I was a little anxious. She depended on me for directions and thankfully, we made it to and from our destination safely.
In fact, it was quite an adventurous weekend and time well spent with family. On Sunday, we took the grandkids to K.F.C and Emancipation Park. I was again a little anxious about giving directions and about her finding parking space but once again, it all worked out well.
Life is filled with uncertainties often leading to fear and anxiety. This is a normal life experience.
However, according to the Mayo Clinic, “people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. Often, anxiety disorders involve repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks).”
The truth is, I have battled excessive anxiety for years and have experienced panic attacks. This bothered me as a Christ-Follower since Jesus tells us not to worry or be anxious about anything. He says, as is confirmed in the medical field and evidenced in our lives, that anxiety does not do us any good.
This weekend’s experience was a reminder to live fearlessly. I had worried for nothing. However, while we were driving, I rehearsed portions of Psalm 23 which calmed my fears.
It is said of the Scriptures the command to “Fear Not” is given 365 times, one for every day of the year.
This leads to a major key to winning the battle against fear: The Scriptures.
Fear-Busting Scriptures
Let me share three major fear-busting Scriptures which reduce my anxiety and fears.
1. Psalm 23: The entire text is an anxiety killer. However, certain verses are poignant.
“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me” (Psalm 23: 4a, NLT).
The reminder that God is with me, reassures me of victory.
“Surely, goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life…” (verse 6, NLT).
This reminds me to expect favor and good things to happen to me throughout my life.
2. Romans 8: The entire chapter is comforting but verses 31-39 are major fear-busting verses especially if you battle the fear of abandonment and loss of love.
The writer, Apostle Paul, expressed his convictions that nothing in all of creation can separate us from God’s love, not even our worries or fears.
Verse 38 is the clincher “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[p] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”
3. Matthew 6:25-34: In this passage, Jesus explicitly tells us not to worry about everyday life or the future (tomorrow) for several reasons including the following:
a. We are more valuable to God than birds. Since God takes care of them well, He will certainly take care of us.
b. Worry does not add a single moment of life. Today has enough trouble and will bring its own worries. Therefore, focus on today. Live in 24-hour compartments and stop worrying about the future.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today (Matthew 6:34).
In this new year, we do not know what lies ahead of us. The media continually reminds us of the crime and violence and various ills taking place around the world. You may be experiencing a personal crisis, and with all of this, fear will raise its ugly head.
Therefore use Scripture as a tool to slay fear. In this way, you will certainly rise above fear and soar to new heights in 2020.
I leave you with one more fear-busting Scripture. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Philippians 4:6, NLT).
Cheers,
Fearless Ruth| Jamaican Authorpreneur
