“Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.”
A Prayer to Calm Your Heart When You Feel Afraid
The fear of the Lord is on odd thing to talk about in modern times. It’s not the language we use, as women empowered to be brave and courageous.
Throughout Scripture, we hear God whisper, “Don’t be afraid. I am with you.”
But, tucked among God’s love letters, we find encouragement to fear the Lord.
So, I ask myself, in the secrecy of my heart, “What am I afraid of?”
And I confess, though I know full well how much God loves me, thankful for everything He’s done, I am afraid that —
I’m not enough,
that my husband, sons or friends will somehow get hurt,
that I’m falling short of who I’m inspired to be,
that my voice is too small and uncertain,
to follow what God’s placed on my heart,
by faith and not by sight.
In honest reflection, I realize Jesus himself catches all my fears and carries them as His own.
Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. {1 Peter 5:7}
I realize the only one we need to fear is God — who has the power to decide what happens to us in this life.
The truth is, we are not in control of what shapes and guides our hearts. But, God is.
God is bigger than any problem that is discouraging you.
So, I begin to understand how reverence and fear for all God oversees is a good thing.
When we’re tempted to withdraw in fear to the chaos and evil that happens in this world, we can turn to the One who calls us beloved.
Jesus will teach and guide us the way to go.
Jesus alone knows what lies ahead. He alone allows what crosses our path, whether it is joy or pain that breaks His heart and wounds us in the moment.
Jesus alone can calm us, bring us peace, and heal us from all things that threaten our care.
Let’s offer our prayers now to Jesus — who has removed every fear by dying on the cross and taking our place to call us His.
Dear Jesus,
“Lord, I come. I confess.
Bowing here, I find my rest.
Without You, I fall apart.
You’re the one that guides my heart.
Teach my song to rise to You,
when temptation comes my way.
And when I cannot stand, I’ll fall on You.
Jesus, You’re my hope and stay.”
{lyrics as prayer to “Lord I Need You” by Matt Mahrer}
Pause now.
Confide in Jesus, as friend to friend.
Lean into the One who calls you His beloved. Jesus faithfully folds you safe in His embrace today.
What are you afraid of?
How is God whispering peace to your heart today?
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
Bonnie,
Though God has been faithful to bring me through many episodes with OCD and depression, I still fear them because they are, quite frankly, unbearable. Tortuous would also be a good word. Just this past week, God spoke to me through a beautiful friend, Donna, who I “met” here on (in)courage. She “gets” anxiety and depression and she lifted me up and encouraged me with her words and her prayers when I was going through a rough spell. We have vowed to be there for each other – to lift each other up in testimony and prayer. No only do we have friends in each other, but what a friend we have in Jesus who is ALWAYS there when we call His name. He is the perfect LOVE that can drive out fear. Ironically, what I fear drives me to lean into, rely on, and depend upon the Lord. If I revere God, I have nothing to fear.
Blessings,
Bev
Hattie says
This morning I woke up with an old ‘happy’ hymn on my heart after going through days of anxiety and depending wholly upon God to get me safely and sanely through to the other side. How faithful He is!!!
The words go like this:
Jesus, hold my hand, I need thee every hour .
Through this pilgrim land protect me by the power.
Here my humble plea, oh Lord, look down on me.
As I kneel in prayer, I know You’ll meet me there.
Blessed Jesus hold my hand.
My heart sings the above song this morning the same way we used to sing it at Campmeeting in my growing up years, with great joy, exhilaration, contentment, and peace while knowing full well that he which begun the good work in me is well able to complete it – and will.
Blessings on this beautiful Sunday
Hattie says
*thy power.
*Hear my humble plea
Bonnie Gray says
so beautiful, hattie, to wake up with a song on your heart… from Him. who calls you beloved. thnx for sharing.
Elvera Neudorf says
Dear Bev
I hear you n it’s hard not to fear
I realize I need to Fear God more
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Blessings
Bonnie Gray says
Dear Bev, may you continue to rest in God’s arms and faithful love for you, just as he always has. You are beloved.
Nancy Horning says
Dear Lord, continue to reassure this one with perfect peace as you, Holy Spirit rise up big and deliver and overtake this one’s affliction . Keep her assured of your faithfulness to her and her loved ones and me too. Thankyou for hearing our prayers , petitions, praises , for you are worthy of our praise, honor, and lifter of our heads. We love you Lord and Thankyou Father God for your goodness to us!nancy Horning
John says
Bev, I too suffer from OCD which stemmed from PTSD over a traumatic brain injury my son endured. My doctor has helped me get through it and healing is slow but taking place. Your right, it is very hard to live daily with OCD. God has helped me have the courage to seek help. After months of trying on my own to beat it, I finally decided to try medication (Zoloft). It made a world of difference. Still the same person, but without the anxiety of OCD. The brain is an organ just like your liver, heart, etc. Sometimes it is out of balance. The medication balances you. Some people will tell you that you need to have more faith. I do believe, of course, that the Lord heals, but I also believe that sometimes he does it through modern medicine. The church needs to do a better job understanding mental illness. I will be praying for you.
Bev @ Walking Well With God says
John,
I heard all those words, as well, from well meaning Christian friends – if I just had more faith….if I just prayed harder or read His Word more….Mental illness is not a spiritual flaw or a personality flaw. It is an illness. A diabetic needs insulin. You would not say to them, “You don’t need the medicine, just have more faith and you’ll be healed.” Amen that the church needs to do a much better job learning about and understanding mental illness and ministering to those who have it without judgment. Praying for you brother…so glad you are finding some relief!!
Blessings,
Bev
Beth Williams says
Bev,
Praying for God to send healing to you. I understand your pain. Mental health is an illness. Sometimes medications can ease the pain and calm the person down. I’ve dealt with this some with my dad. I pray you get help soon.
Blessings 🙂
Sheila Parker says
Thank you foe this, I so needed it this morning. Praise you almighty God!
Bonnie Gray says
so special to know God’s whispers that touch my heart spoke to yours this morning too, Sheila. have a wonderful day touched with rest.
Mo says
Hi Bonnie! Thanks for the encouragement this am. Your post left me thirsty for more of Jesus.
The lyrics you included took me right into His presence and prepared my heart for worship 🙂
Bonnie Gray says
Hi Mo! so beautiful to hear Jesus whispering to your soul and the lyrics that brought me rest brought you into his arms too. sweet!
Debbie says
Thank you so much for this. I have been dealing with my anxiety and stress for over a week & I need to give it ALL to GOD. Amen
Bonnie Gray says
dear debbie… thnx for sharing your prayer with us. dear Jesus, may your sweet, sweet voice whisper to Debbie the words her heart needs to feel your touch is near. give her heart the freedom to express all that’s inside her and hold her close to your very heartbeat, bringing calm right where she is. in your name, Amen.
Faith Douglas says
Bonnie! Thank you for your words of encouragement I really needed this today. I encountered a bat in my house and ever since ever time I am home I feel like I have to double check every coner in my home twice. I hate this fearful feeling. I kept telling myself self that the fear will go away soon. At least now I am sleeping through the night so it shows me that things are getting better but I hate feeling this fearful. I kept reading scriptures to reassure my strength in God but sometimes it does not feel like it. Thanks again for your words of encouragement.
Bonnie Gray says
hi faith douglas, sometimes strength unfolds on a journey, as we confide in how we feel – i sense a strength in you because you are vulnerable with how you really are. that is beautiful to me as i read your words. i’m sorry that bat flew in your house… that would unsettle me too! 🙂 now, in those moments you feel ruffled, imagine Jesus wrapping his arms around you and whispering, “I understand.”, shielding you with love, much affection and tenderness for you. thanks for sharing.
Pearl Allard says
Thank you, Bonnie. I started singing along in my head when I read the lyrics – a beautiful song to have going through my mind. 🙂 I don’t think I’ve ever heard such a gentle description of the fear of the Lord…grateful for your perspective. Reminds me of the line from Amazing Grace: “Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved…” Precious truth to cling to.
Mary Hood says
The truth is, we are not in control of what shapes and guides our hearts. But, God is.
I love this! My biggest fear I think is that I have blown it! Thank you for the reminder that He guides His people and will bring them to a safe shore.
Barbara says
Bonnie,
I follow your blog faithfully and am so happy to see this post from you! I too am going through a season of much change, hope, and fear as well….and I can relate to everything you share here. I just want to tell you how necessary your message is and how brave you are for living it out and sharing it with us! It is always a joy to hear from you. You are a treasure, and you are always in my heart and prayers! Many blessings to you!
An says
Bonnie, I am so grateful to the Lord for these generous words that you wrote 🙂 He is so good and merciful to each of us as we travels these roads, taking each baby step of surrender to His will. That is a fearful thing to our flesh and the Lord is so patient with us. Ps 118:16 says “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” I think about your words that mirror this and this beautiful Proverbs scripture and what do we, do I, have to be afraid of? Praying for every person who lives in tortuous fear, that we all know the grace of complete and utter surrender to Jesus, who loves us so much 🙂
Beth Williams says
Bonnie,
‘Jesus alone knows what lies ahead. He will teach and guide us the way to go’. I used to fear the future. Not knowing what would happen with my aging parents and work drove me a little crazy. Now I’ve learned to trust God and pray fervently. No more worrying just praying. I know God is in control.
Blessings 🙂
Nancy Ruegg says
‘Greatly appreciate the way you named your fears, Bonnie. Got me to thinking: in naming my fears I can more readily see how puny they are compared to our God. He is indeed bigger than any problem! And scripture is full of affirmations I can use to fight against fear. Thank you for this faith-building post!
Lisamarie says
Just wanted to include you in my list of thankyou’s for helping me through your book and vulnerability. Please read this post of celebration. http://healingtakesalifetime.blogspot.com/2016/07/humbling-hallelujah.html