Thursday, July 15, 2010

Fearful Thoughts


I dont know if it is hormones or what, but I have been really fighting anxiety related to fear as of late.

I woke up yesterday morning and while I drank my coffee I was doing some blog surfing. I stumbled upon the blog of a mom who had lost a child, and read her heartbreaking story at six in the morning.

It messed up my whole day. I teared up, my stomach knotted up, I was grumpy and ill all day long. I knew the reason, and I still had a hard time shaking it.

Mix that story with several other I have heard as of late (a couple losing their 10 week old to SIDS, a mom who was 5 months pregnant losing her child, and a friend miscarrying her little one the day after she told all of us), my heart was gripped in fear.

I know that much of my fear comes not from an event that could take place, but the overwhelming loss that would follow.  Since losing my brother to the war in Iraq, I know how loss feels. My body, mind and spirit reacts to the very idea of it happening again, or being even worse the next time.

All day, my chest was tight and my heart unsettled.  I was stressed, to be sure.  I hugged by own 10 week old baby, and cuddled him more than usual. I got nothing accomplished what.so.ever.  The boys and I did have some play time, and we finished our day with VBS but really ...my heart was heavy.

So often, our stress levels can be directly linked to our state of mind and heart. Our hearts can stumble onto a thought that throws us into a state of panic, worry, anxiety or fretfulness and our effectiveness is shot.  I know mine was, and today I am still struggling with it.

On Facebook I asked for some verses to guide my heart away from such thoughts and worries, here are some of the responses...

"So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:6
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,  I will fear no evil,  for you are with me; your rod and your staff,  they comfort me."
Psalms 23:4


Some of my favorites ...

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalms 4:8

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, 
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, 
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable
—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 
Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.
And the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:6-9

 How powerfully our minds and hearts can affect us! 

The verse that I repeated the most yesterday was ...

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, 
and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5


I pray you have a day full of peaceful thoughts and precious memories :)

6 comments:

  1. I know this feeling!

    My own daddy was killed in an accident years ago (the anniversary usually lands on Father's Day) and I think something like that gives us a unique perspective.

    We know first hand that life and death are a fragile thing separated by only a thin veil.

    It does take an extra effort for me not to obsess about danger and death.

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  2. Hi. I am visiting from iFellowship. I just posted about fearful thoughts on my "Wednesday's Words of Wisdom". I'd love it if you dropped by and leave me a comment on it.
    ~Theresa
    www.beingrefinedassilver.blogspot.com

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  3. Found you at iFellowship and I'm enjoying your blog. I read your post and thought to myself, 'This girl is under attack!' I've been gripped with fear before. I truly believe it's spiritual warfare. I'm praying for you. Wrap yourself in God's truth. It will protect you when you're faced with fear. :o) Keep this verse in mind...Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

    Happy Wednesday! :o)

    www.seamsinspired.com

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  4. I'm dropping by from iFellowship to say hello. Remember that fear is not from God, but it is a very pointed tactic that the enemy uses to get us off of what is important, to dwell on what ifs and things that don't exist. Seek the Lord and pray those Scriptures out loud. I have dealt with gripping fear in the past also. It takes an effort to break it when it starts. You have authority in Christ. God bless!!

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  5. In those verses you can find comfort.
    Good post. I found you at iFellowship. Have a great day!

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  6. Good girl! I'm proud of you for going to the Word on days like what you've described here!

    My blog name is Living Above - mainly because we are never promised that bad days won't come - but with the Word living alive in us - we can live above the fray of life and of our fears!

    I'm visiting from iFellowship. You have a great looking blog! I'm now following! I look forward to coming back on a less busy day!

    I would love for you to come visit me @ Living Above

    Have a great Wednesday!
    your sis in the faith

    http://www.pennyfranklin-livingaboveministries.blogspot.com

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