For the person struggling with fear and anxiety

Honesty hour: I struggled with fear and anxiety. And this isn't like a 'oh-that-one-time-when-I-was-eighteen' struggle. This was recent.

Waking up with a pit in my stomach. My appetite was swallowed by that pit. I used to wake up with worship songs in my head. Instead, I was waking up with worry. Another anxious thought. Attack after attack.

I can honestly say that when the book of James talks about being tossed back and forth on waves that that is exactly what I was feeling.

Anxiety feels like sea-sickness.

I didn't want to tell anyone that I was wrestling with this. I mean, I would tell God and ask Him why, (try to) surrender the fears and anxieties over... and then the anxiety would pounce on me again.

What kind of Christian would I be? The girl with the blog all about encouragement, counting your blessings, and victorious hope struggling with fear and anxiety? Me?

Yes, even me.

I am not going to dive into the why of the anxiety here; but, with a grateful heart, I can say that I am waking up and walking through my days with peace again.

Today, I flipped open my Bible and immediately saw this:

"Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well."

These are Jesus' words to the woman with the issue of blood. These are His words to you.

This woman believed that if she could just touch the fringe of his robe that she would be healed.

And what happened?

Jesus responded to her faith with the healing she was so desperately longing for.

She reached out, and there He was.

In a moment, her twelve years of suffering, shame, burdens, fear, and anxiety fell off.

Gone.

Friend - son or daughter, take a moment to put yourself in this woman's story.

You are reading this and you may be desperately longing to be freed of fear and anxiety.

Jesus is saying to you today:

Be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.

It is well!

Your circumstances may or may not change. I'm not saying that everything will be solved in a moment or be perfect. But I believe in faith, you are reading this and it is your reaching out to Jesus. I believe, in faith, He will heal you. He is healing you. His perfect peace will fill you again.

What made her well?

Her faith in Jesus. The decision to act on His promises.

Her faith in Jesus healed her. It was not just her desire, but the action that followed it.

Reach out and He will respond.

There is healing in true surrender.

Tell God and tell someone you love and trust that loves and trusts Jesus and you.

Faith is acting on the promises of God. When you step out in faith, be encouraged. The Prince of Peace will set you free! He really will.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you."

I don't hold all the answers, but I know the One who is holding and healing me. I know He is holding and healing you, too. I pray this is the blog that encourages you to reach out to Him!

Resources hand-picked just for you:

Songs

i get overwhelmed sometimes by Abbie Gamboa & UPPERROOM

I Speak Jesus by Charity Gale

Promises by Maverick City Music & Naomi Raine & Joel L Barnes

Scripture

Something I like to do is take God's promises and put my name in there. It helps me see His promises in my own life. Give it a try.

"For God has not given Tori a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

"For God knows the plans He has for Tori! Plans to prosper her and not harm her. Plans to give her a hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

"Don't be anxious about anything, Tori, 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 heart and mind in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7)