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 :)