My Fears Relieved

So, I'm back after a brief break!  Yesterday was a non-stop day for me, so I had to skip out on the blog.  After a full day of teaching, I had a review session to lead AND a professional development workshop to attend!  I didn't skip out on the fitness, though!  While doing the core workout from this phase of Best Body Bootcamp, Wewii decided I needed a little help...

Can you see his head resting on my lower back?  So nice of him to try and help!

"T'was grace that taught my heart to fear,

and grace my fears relieved..."

-Amazing Grace

I'm going to share something personal with y'all today, but I'm doing so because I think it may help someone.  I have a pretty intense fear: a fear of death.  As a Christain, I know I shouldn't fear death.  I believe that Jesus is my Lord and Savior, and because He died for my sins, I will have eternal life. 

But then I wonder: what will dying feel like?  How long is "forever"?  Will I really be dead for however long forever is?  Just typing those questions (and others) gives me intense anxiety.

This happened on Monday while I was driving home after work.  I was listening to the song "10,000 Reasons" by Matt Redman on the Christian radio station, and the last verse talks about singing praise to God even on our dying day.  That intense anxiety and fear gripped me.  I knew I needed to calm down so that I could focus on driving, but I kept repeating those scary questions over and over again in my mind.

So I just prayed.  I prayed that God would cast way the fear and doubt and make my head think with my heart.  Thankfully, after I prayed, the anxiety went away.  It was such a soothing feeling and it really made me feel like God was there with me!

Later that day, I found this quote on Pinterest:

I repinned it and thought that was just wanted I needed to hear!  I really should just trust God when looking forward instead of being fearful of what's to come.  He's got it under control!  There's also a lot I need to be doing now while I am on this Earth, and I think the rest of this quote is a testament of that.

The next day, I read my devotional and received the same message!  The prayer for the day was" Lord, help me to appreciate the delights of today rather than anticipate the griefs of tomorrow."  The verse for the day that really stuck out to me was Psalms 23:4:

"Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me."

It's amazing how God has been speaking to me as a result of a quick little prayer in the car!  I feel so much more comforted when it comes to these fears, and I will be forever thankful for these words from God!

Question for you: Do you have an intense fear?  What do you do to ease it?
Might I suggest a quick prayer for peace.  You may be amazed at the answers you'll receive!