How do I free myself from fear?

I didn’t know the fear building up until one night I sat shaking on the couch. My husband and I were talking about the future, and it seemed my heart was torn in two. I knew I trusted God, but in those moments He felt so far.

Where was God in the middle of the unknowns?

We have our son, and his medical needs are so much less severe than our daughters. We rejoice in the beauty of answered prayers, but we still know adoption is hard. His bonding and attachment aren’t necessarily going better, but they are different. We are more experienced, and he is a little more open to affection. My soul needed this hope, but I’ll be honest with you: I am still struggling to find hope in the future.

The trip to China was honestly a dream come true. It wasn’t perfect, and yes it had its hard moments, but really over all it went so amazingly well – I hesitate to even hope. Hope: To look forward with reasonable confidence.

Confidence. Reasonable confidence. No, I want absolute confidence things will work out. It seems our human hearts only can find confidence in things we can reason. So when I sat on the couch that night, experiencing what I know was a panic attack, I realized hope was something that needed to be absolute. I needed TRUTH. I needed FAITH. I needed to TRUST.

Fear engulfed my heart so I felt like I was suffocating.

Fear was a flame, smoldering so long I barely noticed. We made small decisions, taking steps leading us to a huge change. I refused to look too far ahead. I wanted to trust. I wanted to hope, while I sat on the hotel bed in China, looking at the little boy sleeping in the pack ‘n play beside me. Hope was alive, but I was still scared. I was scared I would somehow mess this up. Trapped.

It was then, I realized fear was a prison, and I wanted freedom.

As I listend to a song of freedom, faith became more than an abstract thing. Faith is the substance of things unseen. The hope of a future I can hold on to. Substance. Faith is more than just something to have. I can hold it. With the hands of my heart, I believe. I hold the truth with such passion, desperation maybe, but I hold the truths I’ve known my whole life. Hope.

Hope I suddenly realized was only for those who believed in the power of Jesus Christ. If He lived, died, and rose again, how do I live in the chains of bondage? I am free from fear. I am never alone. Never.

Love casts out fear, but faith is the fuel to keep courage alive. Faith in the God I know. I will never know everything about God or His Word. So I will read, pray, study, and keep having faith. I won’t tell you fear won’t invade my heart again – especially in the coming months as our family endures changes, adjustments, and new things. But God is able to grant me the faith I need. The fire of fear can rage, but courage is stronger. Not my courage, but the courage from His Presence.

I love the story of Joshua, and we all love Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous” – we quote it, but how could Joshua be courageous, facing the unknown, the potential loss of life, and the struggles of being a leader? God’s presence. Do we skip over the part, as God begins to equip the new leader after Moses, of the commands there in Joshua 1?

How to Find Freedom from Fear

Arise. Right after Joshua says goodbye to his mentor, leader, spiritual father, and the great man of God, God says: Arise. In the middle of Joshua’s tears, heartache, and with the future still uncertain, Joshua arose. Move forward. God didn’t dismiss the grief Joshua felt. In fact, I imagine God understood the loss, but knew moving forward would help the healing. (Joshua 1:2)

Be Strong. God then reminds Joshua of all of the promises He had given to them, and then said: Be strong. Not in the strength of Joshua’s eldership. Not because Moses had trained Joshua well. Strength wasn’t going to come through will-power or preparedness, it would come in the promises of God. Remembering gives strength looking ahead. We also can look back, see God’s promises, and face tomorrow with strength from Him.

Have Courage. Courage comes next. Joshua was commanded to be courageous. Funny, because maybe Joshua was feeling very scared. I thought about my panic attack on the couch months ago. Did Joshua breath fast, feel his heart beat out of his chest, wondering if the air was going to kill him? Was Joshua’s legs numb with fear, unable to move? God commanded courage, but the best part of it is: courage was found in the presence.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

God commands us to be brave because He is with us. Don’t miss the promise of the presence to fight the fear! No matter where you go – God is there.

Free Indeed (by JJ Heller)

On the days, when I’m stuck in the mud
When I don’t, feel worthy of love
With the weight, of the world on my back
I’m never alone, remind me of that.

Even the darkness of fear will never engulf the truth: I am never alone. Do you struggle with fear? I pray freedom finds you in this ONE TRUTH: You are free because you are not alone.

You are free because you are not alone. #freedom #iamfreeindeed @jjheller

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When fear overtakes us leaving us in a place of darkness, light is what we need.

But where do we find the light?

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” {Psalm 27:1}

How can God be the light in our dark seasons of fear?

The truth of God’s character has the power to kindle the courage we need in these difficult times of life.

The Psalms talk a lot about financial issues, marriage, friendship, depression, anxiety, and other issues of life, but the root of these issues is fear.

How do we kindle courage when we need it?

Knowing who God is will allow courage to spark inside of us, extinguishing fears as they arise. Read through the Psalms to kindle courage and kick out fear. Enter your email below for the FREE 41 Day Psalm’s Reading Plan.

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How to Find Freedom from Fear

How do I free myself from fear?

Where was God in the middle of the unknowns?

Fear engulfed my heart so I felt like I was suffocating.

It was then, I realized fear was a prison, and I wanted freedom.

How to Find Freedom from Fear

Connect with me!

Facebook / / Twitter / / Instagram / / Pinterest

Welcome to Tuesday Talk!

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