struggling with fear and faith

[Janie]

Hi everyone,
I'm struggling with a fear of death. I'm scared to do simple things in case I get sick - even cooking. I know when it started, but I won't go into it because it might perpetuate the fear. Anyway, now fear will grip me, and it will be so bad that it makes me feel ill, but I'll wonder if it is the fear or if I am really ill. I feel like there's a danger to me everywhere I go, and sometimes I can't sleep which makes it all worse. I'd been stuck in this pattern of fear (though not of death) before I became a Christian but thought it was all over now.

I'm also struggling to think that I can get so scared when I have faith in God, and it's made me question my faith (not questioning God, I know He's the real deal, but I'm questioning where my heart really is). A friend prayed for me and received a wonderfully encouraging scripture for me, which I turn to and hold on to whenever the fear starts attacking, but how do I stop the attacks? I'm sick and tired of getting scared. I just want to trust in God and abide in His word - why am I having such a hard time with it?
Janie

 

[joy]

Hi everyone,
I'm struggling with a fear of death. I'm scared to do simple things in case I get sick - even cooking. I know when it started, but I won't go into it because it might perpetuate the fear. Anyway, now fear will grip me, and it will be so bad that it makes me feel ill, but I'll wonder if it is the fear or if I am really ill. I feel like there's a danger to me everywhere I go, and sometimes I can't sleep which makes it all worse. I'd been stuck in this pattern of fear (though not of death) before I became a Christian but thought it was all over now.

I'm also struggling to think that I can get so scared when I have faith in God, and it's made me question my faith (not questioning God, I know He's the real deal, but I'm questioning where my heart really is). A friend prayed for me and received a wonderfully encouraging scripture for me, which I turn to and hold on to whenever the fear starts attacking, but how do I stop the attacks? I'm sick and tired of getting scared. I just want to trust in God and abide in His word - why am I having such a hard time with it?
Janie

Dear Janie
i can relate to this so much.
I am a slow learner but God is showing me the importance of medtiating on His Word and doing exactly what you said and as we do this pray that the Holy Spirit will place God's Word in our hearts which in the time of difficultly will enable us to come against the fear because we are replacing the lie with the truth which comes from God's Word.

 

[Spreadtheword]

hello

I used to be like that but then I said ''stop''(it made me really depressed.It made my life better.What I did was kept thinking of heavon and saying to myself to stop thinking about death.It worked. Well,thats just me.

 

[joy]

I know often when I struggle with fear, the first thing that goes is my reading of God's Word. it is God's Word quickened by the Holy Spirit which produces faith in our hearts.

I just want to share something I read this morning

Isaiah 9:2

The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light
Those who dwelt in the land
of the shadow of death
upon them a light has shined

at this time of year we celebrate the Birth of Jesus and in thinking about this today I saw afresh that Jesus is the light who has come to free us from the darkness,
Hebrews 2 :14-15
'Inasmuch then as the children have partaken in flesh and blood. He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He (Jesus) might destroy him who had the power of death , that is, the devil, and release those who through the fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

 

[calluna]

Hello janie, I have struggled with fear over the years also. You are doing the right thing, by turning to scripture, and God Bless your friend for praying for you and giving you scripture. Lots of prayer to God, ask Him to remove the spirit of fear from you In Jesus name.

Remember 2Timothy "For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline"

The above scripture has been mine, and I have said this out aloud so many times, probably daily. The past few months, there has been a great improvement in my life. I have done things that I have wanted to do but have been too afraid to and blessings abound, not only for me but for others. You see the enemy, satan, wants to steal kill, and destroy us. He doesn't want us to live in freedom, he doesn't want us to do anything for the Kingdom. Christ came so we can live life to the fullest, abundantly. John 10:10
So yes we are in a spiritual battle of sorts, I dont think you lack in faith, maybe its just not knowing certain things.. how to arm yourself daily. Read Ephesians 6. 'The armor of God' . We have to arm ourselves and stand up and fight against the enemy with prayer and reading and believing the Word of God. Press on, press forward and recognise that satan is doing whatever he can to stop us. Christ fights for us. He is right there with us.

Heres a little story for you
Just recently I faced a fear, and I praise the Lord for being with me and encouraging me. Right up to the last second, part of me wanted to back out but I didn't and I quoted scripture, I prayed. Yes I was nervous, others may think its ludicrous and silly that I was afraid, but yep that's what happens. But I did it, Wow I did it! A simple thing, but it blessed me and blessed others beyond what I had imagined. I give God all the Glory. You know what it was? I go to a bible study group and they were having a social evening, I thought it would be nice for us to sing Christmas carols and me accompany them with my keyboard. The Lord actually put that idea on my heart and mind. I play piano, and tinker around on the keyboard, I have been playing for years, but usually just for myself. So I took the keyboard to the ladies house and set it up. I was nervous just doing that. The lady was saying how excited everyone was that we were going to do this. Then they announced what I was to do, they were all excited and anticipating. I cracked a joke about them singing well to cover my mistakes. And I played, and you know what, it felt wonderful and I had peace, and everyone sang beautiful Christmas carols to praise our heavenly Father and King. You see its ALL about our Lord. I did it, I was afraid but I pressed on knowing He was with me and it was for Him.

And that is what we have to keep in our minds and ask ourselves. How is our fear helping the Kingdom of God, How is our fear, serving our Lord, How much life are we living abundantly? the life that Jesus promised us.
There are so many scriptures that tell us not to be afraid. If you haven't a concordance, I would recommend having one. God is telling us just trust in Him, He is always with us. Psalm 23:4 'I will fear no evil, for you are with me'

Isaiah 41: 13 " ..Do not fear; I will help you"

I know you are afraid maybe of different things than me.
But it is still all fear, we all still need to pray to the Lord and read His Word. I have had terrible attacks in the past, thinking that someone or something is going to harm me, my family, and there are reasons why I have had these anxiety/fear attacks, because of life events. But I have made alot of progression, and now I have shared all this with you, I know I need to stay on guard.

Psalm 91 is the psalm to read out aloud, if you are getting a sense of panicky, fearful feeling. Start reading it immediately. It has helped me tremendously.

I will pray for you. Stand tall sister, stay strong in Christ. You can beat this thing with the Lord in your life.

Calluna

 

[Janie]

Thank you, everyone, for your encouraging responses. They have been comforting and helpful for me. Thank you for the scriptures, too.
May God bless you all for taking the time to help me.
I am feeling more peace at the moment than I have for awhile. I'm praying I will continue to feel this when I return home after my holidays next week. While travelling, it occured to me that God made us because He wanted to share His mighty love with us - in short, we were created to love, and to be loved. That was a wonderfully comforting thought.

 

[Popples]

Hon I too have many fears and alot of the time we get use to one way of fearing that it becomes our securities. Fear is of Satan and Satan only. I walk along saying Lord cast my fears away, over and over again. The Lord has promised us not to give us what we can not handle, You can stand strong and say along with me. Satan you are not invited into my life for I have the Lord, Lord cast these fears away, and believe and have faith. I will pray for you hon.

 

[Faithful Son]

I'd like to thank each and every member that responded to Janie's cry for help. I feel the Spirit of God while reading this thread, there is so much wisdom, so much love and understanding. I feel so encouraged reading your posts. I will pray for you sister Janie, Jesus heals all!

You ladies, all of you are blessed daughters of God, sisters of Christ, the Holy Spirit's abode!

God bless you all, many thanks!
teraside