Last night I had such a vivid dream that my husband had
passed away and I woke up crying hysterically at 5am. Even as my husband kissed
my face and held on to me, it still felt so real! When I was little I use to
have really bad dreams about losing my family, and now I’m having them about my
husband.
We all have a mountain. Mine has been dealing with anxiety,
and losing someone I love is my greatest one. I have come a long way and have
learned that most anxieties don't come from thinking about the future, but from
wanting to control it. I know things don’t always go as planned – that’s life,
but I enjoy the accountability that comes with planning. It took me a while to
understand that I was NOT in control. With my lips I was saying, 'God is in
control' but with my heart I was hoping my plans would follow through. It’s a
completely different story once believed He WAS in control. Not I. God. And His
plans are FARRRR better than mine. Yes, I still struggle. It’s the mountain
that I have to climb, sometimes on a daily basis! Except now, I don't just
stand in front of it, staring at it while panicking. Now, I have the harness
that is Christ and with Him, I can climb over the mountain and into a life
filled with grace and promise. Do you struggle with an anxious heart? Here are
some of the few verses that help me remember, God is with me and for me.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your
God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my
righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will
give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and
humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and
my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30
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. - Philippians 4:6-7
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
- 1 Peter 5:7
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have
peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome
the world.” - John 16:33
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what
you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more
important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the
birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your
heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of
you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? “And why do you worry about
clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I
tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of
these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today
and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you
of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall
we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things,
and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom
and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own. - Matthew 6:25-34
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have
peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. - Romans 5:1
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.
For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in
love -1 John 4:18
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God
so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him,
because he cares for you. - 1 Peter 5:6-7
Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will
never let the righteous be shaken. -Psalm 55:22
Blessings,
Jessica
