Don't Panic..The Lord Has Gone Before You

I pray that upon reading this that someone will be delivered of anxiety, fear, and worry. May they be encouraged and truly receive in their heart that our God is truly faithful. May the Lord give you eyes to see and ears to hear what the Spirit is saying..

I may have shared in the past that I used to have bad panic attacks. I was full of worry and anxiety. I would allow myself to become so unsettled when I could not figure out how things were going to work out in my life. I would fret over everything and anything. I had no peace and joy because I was consumed with unsettling and nagging thoughts of not having enough. I was concerned about bills, gas, food, clothes, our home, and so much more. I wish I would have realized then that our Lord is faithful to care for all of our needs and that my excessive worrying did not resolve anything but only resulted in unhappiness, panic attacks, weight loss, and other physical manifestations. If only I would have really trusted Jesus Words in Luke 12, I would have saved myself a lot of unnecessary drama.

Luke 12:22-31 Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

“Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

“And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.

Little faith is what I had. It was not until I really began to meditate on God’s Word that my faith increased. Our faith increases by hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) Our faith grows strong when we see in God’s Word how faithful He truly is. Reading stories of how our Lord delivered, healed, and restored those that believed in Him should give us hope because we should remember that our Lord is no respector of persons what He did for them He will do for us too. Those that believed His Word were changed forever. Their faith made them whole. Our faith will make us whole too. (Romans 2:11, Mark 5:34, Mark 10:52)

His Word encourages and reminds us that He did not give us a spirit of fear but instead He has given us a Spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) The spirit of anxiety and fear are meant to torment us and keep our minds in bondage. If we panic when are standing in front of a mountain of problems then that fear will keep us from telling the mountain. Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible." (Matthew 17:20-21)

He does not want us worrying about anything. He wants us to trust Him in everything. He wants us to know that He is faithful. I believe that sometimes He allows things to get tight and difficult in our lives so that we can see that He IS an on time God. Difficult times and hardships teach us to preserve. It teaches us to rely on Him as our Provider, as our source of peace and strength. James said it perfectly when he said..

“Dear brothers and sisters, when trouble comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. (James 1:1-4)

We have to know with all of our heart that Our Lord is constant, dependable, loyal, and faithful. He is faithful to His Word and His promises. He goes ahead of us and makes a straight path for us. We do not need to be afraid of how things will turn out because His Word says, “So be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

So don't panic brothers and sister the Lord has gone before you and He always makes a way out of now way. Just trust Him in everything. Reject and rebuke fear and anxiety trust in the Lord with all of your hearts and meditate on His Word instead of negative thoughts that go against God's Word. Be blessed..

To be continued..