MY BLOGS

“Don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Matthew 10:31

Last time I urged you to let go of worry and stress. Easier said than done. This week we’ll keep working with the same theme, covering fears and anxiety.

Have you heard about the “death zone” on Mount Everest? The death zone refers to altitudes above 24,500 ft where the pressure of oxygen is insufficient to sustain human life for an extended time span. Climbers start suffering all kinds of symptoms including dizziness, nausea, fatigue, loss of energy, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath and problems with sleep. When experiencing the first symptoms, the climber should immediately move to a lower elevation to prevent further exposure and possible death.

I’ve never been to the “death zone” on Everest. Though fear and anxiety triggers physical reactions in my body similar to the symptoms of the climber who camped too long in Everest’s death zone. Deep gasps still don’t satisfy my hunger to oxygen. Dizziness saps my energy. Fatigue sets in. And I suffer from sleeplessness. Additionally, I die to the present and the enemy steals my joy.

Like stress and worry, fears and anxiety pop up when we focus too much on the future and not enough on the now. The more we dwell in the future with our what-if scenarios, the more we miss the present. We believe the lie that if we could control everything and everyone around us, we would be safe. We try to work it all out by ourselves and we lean on our own understanding. We trust in our own logic and strength.

How do we pull ourselves back from this death zone of fear and anxiety?

In Matthew 14:22 – 34 we read about the storm the disciples encountered while crossing a lake on a boat in the early morning hours. They “were in trouble far away from land” when they saw Jesus walking on the water towards them. “They were terrified”. This story cut to the bone for me. It was three o’clock in the morning and the storm was at its worst. They were far away from land with no hope in sight. Three o’clock in the morning is the time I wake up with severe anxiety. That is the time the storm of fears threatens to drown me. It’s cold, lonely and I feel far away. Then friends, is the time I choose to hold onto what Jesus said to his disciples that night on the lake ““Don’t be afraid” he said. “Take courage. I am here!””. What an assurance! The God of the Universe is right there with me and you.

There are many more promises in Scripture on this topic of “Don’t be afraid”. Romans 8:31 says “… If God is for us, who can be against us”. God is for me; He is with me and He is in me. The Holy Spirit prays for me and Jesus intercedes for me. Therefore, let’s live purposefully and deliberately because “God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7.

Let’s start with holding fast to his promises of his presence when our fear and anxiety storms are at its worst.

When someone offers you a gift, you can’t receive it with fists tightly closed. You must open your hands to let go of what you are holding onto. With open hands you are ready to receive. Every Sunday with the closing of service our Pastor asks us to open our palms as he prays a blessing over us. I like the symbolism, because it reminds me to let go of what I am trying to control in life and to offer my open palms to God to receive his blessings and guidance. Let’s open our fists and release control, fears, and anxiety, to receive God’s blessings of peace and hope as we look toward Him for help.

Stand strong in God’s power and his love! Our God is bigger than your what-ifs and all your problems. He is a faithful God that has come through in the past and will come through again in future. He has given us everything, including his precious promises we need for a godly living. (2 Peter 1: 3).

Recalibrate your mind, emotions, and soul to receive God’s Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline. Exercise self-discipline in slowing down deliberately. Exhale your fears and anxiety for the next hour, day, week, month, and year. And inhale God’s love, grace, and mercy. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding” is available to guard your mind in Jesus Christ. (Philippians 4:7)

Engaging in prayer helps to focus on God and not your circumstances. Reciting Scriptures cements the truth in your life.

Listen to relaxing music to soothe your mind.

Engage in a fun and enjoyably activity to distract your mind.

Rejuvenate your body with exercise. Five to ten minutes of exercise increase the blood flow and flood the body with positive, calming endorphins.

Let me know how you are faring with letting go of your fears and anxiety. Leave a comment. I would love to hear from you.
Leave a comment. I would love to hear from you.

Until next time!

Anita Beukman, Your Hope Coach