For some reason, the readings below, seemed especially appropriate for the struggles I have been feeling and experiencing over the past few weeks. Yet at the same time, I feel a strong sense of peace that God is in control. Maybe you are experiencing the same angst. If so, the readings below may prove especially helpful.

 

Just making it through the day is sometimes a struggle. Jesus observation that ‘in this world you will have trouble’ (John 16:33) is a spot-on description of our experience. We grow weary and tired. Our lives feel like those credit card commercials where the hordes of barbarians are about to come crashing through the door.           — 40 Ways to Get Closer to God

 

“I prayed to the Lord and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.”  Psalm 34:4-5

 

These verses tell us that although fear is a normal, human reaction to danger or crisis, God has an antidote for our fear. We may fear death, failure, or people. We may be frightened about taking a new step, fearful of suffering, or anxious about what may happen tomorrow. Whatever the circumstances, we don’t have to be ashamed of being afraid or stuff our fears down inside and try to look brave. The very fear that plaques us can cause us to press into God’s presence. He invites us to pray to him and lay down our fears instead of being paralyzed by them, to fear and revere him instead of anything or anyone else.An amazing thing happens when we give God our fears: in return for our fears he infuses us with faith, hope and love. As F.B. Meyer said, “God incarnate is the end of fear; and the heart that realizes that he is in the midst… will be quiet in the midst of alarm.
                        — One Year Praying through the Bible

 

“Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith encourages; fear sickens, faith heals; fear makes useless, faith makes serviceable – and most of all, fear puts hopelessness at the heart of life, while faith rejoices in its God.”   — Harry Emerson Fosdick

 

Come to me with your weaknesses: physical, emotional and spiritual. Rest in the comfort of My Presence, remembering that nothing is impossible with Me. Pry your mind away from your problems so you can focus your attention on Me. Recall that I am able to do immeasurably more than all you ask or imagine. Instead of trying to direct Me to do this or that, seek to attune yourself to what I am already doing.   — Jesus Calling