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I often try to quiet fear by pretending it doesn’t exist. Clever… I know. But alas, it does exist and that’s not always a bad thing. To the contrary, it can actually keep us safe in proper context. When my house was struck by lightning and lit with fire, fear sounded an emotional alarm, insisting that I escape – and fast. In this instance, fear was good. It kept me safe.
In many instances, however, fear is not good.
I’ve found that while it’s natural to be afraid at times – human, even – it’s best to not allow feelings of fear to consume and control large spaces of real estate in my heart. David handles the intersection of his fear and faith nicely.
In Psalm 56, captured by the Philistines in Gath, and in Psalm 57, hiding in a cave to escape the pursuit of Saul, David sifted through honest feelings of vulnerability and desperation. I imagine his reality was one of shaky hands, pulse raging wild and brows soaked in sweat. Yet fear was silenced as he made the powerful decision to redirect his emotions toward a more productive, more faith-filled response when David chose to trust God.
By choosing to trust God in the hiding and in the chains, David’s fear shifted to faith.
Faith shuts the mouth of fear.
“When I am afraid, I will trust you.” (Psalm 56:3, CSB)
“You yourself have recorded my wanderings. Put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book? Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call. This I know: God is for me.” (Psalm 56:8-9, CSB)
These weren’t just flippant statements or memorized verses.
These were sturdy declarations.
Deliberate choices made by a deeply determined worshiper. The kind of choices that change and calm a frantic heart. The kind of choices that speak peace to anxiousness. The kind of choices we can make when we’re afraid. The kind of choice we can make when fear screams loud within.
Bring it.
Fear is a liar.
We can choose faith, knowing God is for us.
Decision made.
Dear Lord,
Sometimes the anxiousness and fear in my heart can overwhelm me. But You promise to be faithful at all times and are deliberate to catch every tear in a bottle. This is true no matter what has me hiding or running. Please lead my heart to Your freedom, grace, strength and peace today.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
Draft a deeply-determined-worshiper declaration of your own! Fill in the blanks:
“When I am ________________________, Lord I will ____________________.”
Write that in your journal. Write 3 or 4 different variations of it! Make a powerful decision today to redirect your emotions toward more productive, faith-filled responses. Share your declaration on the wall of my blog or as a comment on my latest Instagram post!
You’ve got this, friend… because He’s got you!
Love you so much. Have a beautiful, grace-filled day, friend.
GWEN
PS. Don’t forget to listen to the new GRACEOLOGIE podcast episodes! I make them just for YOU! 😄✨
🌸 I HAVE TWO POWERFUL NEW GRACEOLOGIE EPISODES FOR YOU! 🌸
LISTEN NOW on the WEBSITE
LISTEN NOW on the WEBSITE
Comments 30
When I am fearful of what my tomorrows hold. When I am anxious. When I feel overwhelmed with all the things of life. When I feel the anger well up… I will run to you. Lord, help me to learn to run to you more instead of allowing all these emotions to bottle up and then I feel like I am drowning in my own sea of feelings. You are my Rock, my strong fortress. Let me find comfort in your arms.
When I am fearful Lord, I will turn to you, my Rock and my refuge!
Author
Yes! Love it.
When I am anxious Lord, I will remember you calm the storms.
Author
Yes. Yes. Yes. Jesus is our Storm-calmer.
When I am fearful and anxious, Lord, I will remember your Words:
“I have made you, I will carry you, I will sustain you, I will rescue you.
~ Isaiah 46:4 As a parent, I can fully relate to these promises.
I will also remember that You did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Thank you for your love, grace, and protection, Father God. In Jesus’s precious name, Amen
Author
Powerful, Ellie!
Thank You Gwen for this post. It’s timely in my life right now! When I feel anxious and overwhelmed about family and feeling trapped in my situation, I will trust you God! Please pray for and with me! I recite Philippians 4:6 daily!
Author
God knew! Praying for you now, Melynda!
Gwen
When I am Afraid and Anxious and feeling like things are unusual.
Lord I will trust in you.
Trust in your word
That never returns void.
I will trust in your faithfulness.
You are in control
I do not depend on Man but depend on you.
Author
So many layers of LOVING this, Yarida! Yes and amen.
Gwen
When I am fearful, God, I will run into your mighty fortress!
Author
Love the picture of not just turning to Him, but RUNNING, Gail. Thanks for sharing this!
GWen
When I feel desperate for a change I really think I need, Lord, I will leave it at your feet and believe.
Author
So good, Tammie! His feet is the best place for our desperation!
GWEN
When I am feeling negative, I will pray, repent and put the best construction on the situation.
Author
A great heart re-direct, Nicki Rae!
GWEN
When I am analyzing scenarios,I will shift my focus to seeking you.
Author
He always has the wisdom and perspective we need, Vanetta. This is great, friend.
GWEN
When my insecurity and my self indulge thoughts of me thinking of what other people think of me I will focus on you Lord
“ When I am filled with anxious thinking, Lord I will send my thoughts in a 180° turn to bypass all fear and come into your presence”
Author
Great thought, Lori.
Gwen
“When I am anxious about my finances because of me stepping out on my own with my 6 year old son and when I just feel like maybe we won’t make it, Lord I will trust in the truth that YOU think I am AMAZING, am ABLE to do ANYTHING through YOU, and that YOU always have my back!”
Author
Stay strong, Sandra! You are not alone! He is with you and will guide you every step of the way.
Love and grace to you, friend.
GWEN
Thank you Gwen for sharing this. I live in fear,doubt,shame, feeling I’m not worthy to be loved. But God says we can take shelter under his wing. He wipe every tear away and bring me joy.my father is the king of king and word is powerful.I will trust in you alone. You are my stronghold my strength in the mist of my storm
Author
Thanks for sharing this, Anita. I believe God is inviting you into a new day of FREEDOM and JOY, friend. I just sense it!
GWEN
When I am fearful about my life, Lord I will trust You and have faith in You.
Gwen,
Thank you for this. I have been struggling with fear for several months now and although I know I should trust, the little things that have happened place fear and doubt in my mind. Love the prayer and will really make an effort to allow God to use my fear for good by putting my trust in him each time it whispers in my ear. This morning my prayer was “Good morning God this is your day, show me how to walk today.”
When I am out of control and things around me seem to be falling apart Lord I will continue to have faith knowing that you are more powerful than my circumstances.
Author
Yes, Dawn! Love it. He is always more powerful than our circumstances.
Gwen