We walked into the hospital hand in hand, neither of us saying a word. We didn’t have to. We knew what the other was thinking, wondering, hoping.

As we sat in the oncology waiting room, I felt my tight shoulders up near my ears. They carried the weight of our fears. They held the concerns we didn’t speak.

I looked at him as he tried to busy himself updating paperwork, and I could tell he was holding his breath. It was then that I realized I was too. We always go into these visits kind of holding our breath.

We’re never sure what the test results are going to show. We are never certain what the lab results might reveal. And we never know what the doctor is going to say. So unconsciously, we hold our breath while we hold each other’s hands, and we hold onto God to get us through.

I’m so fortunate because my husband has a great attitude. This is not our first rodeo with cancer. I know that ultimately God was the one who healed my husband of his first and second bout of cancer. I’m convinced, however, that his positive attitude and steadfast faith had a big part to play in that. Our faith is firmly planted in God. Even now, we continue to believe that God has healed him of this cancer.

Yet, even with our strong faith, we have to remind each other to BREATHE!

Then I have to remind myself that God is not up in heaven wringing his hands wondering how He is going to handle the results of today, wondering what He will do if bad test results come back or the doctor delivers a poor report.

God already knows the answers we need. He already knows the outcome, He knows how He is going to handle it, and He knows how He is going to get us through the difficult times.

I don’t know what you are walking through today, but I’d like to offer you this hope-filled perspective: God already has it taken care of. He sees you, He knows you, He knows the storm you are going through, and He knows how He is going to get you from this side to the other.

So breathe. Take a deep breath. Then look to Him. Keep your focus on Him, not on the worries, not on the fears. But be boldly courageous and keep your eyes on the Father, because He has all the answers you need. Thank Him through it. Praise Him through it. But keep your eyes focused on Him. The enemy would like to distract you with worry, fear, anxiety, and doubt but there is a reason God said “be anxious for nothing.” Be anxious for No Thing! If we will refuse to be anxious, but pray about everything, remain thankful, and share our needs with God, THEN, our hearts and minds will remain at peace.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

May I pray for you?

Father,
You know that sometimes life and the circumstances we face are just hard. But you are our source of peace. I pray for the one reading these words right now. I pray that whatever they are facing right now, that they would take a deep breath and inhale more of you and your peace while exhaling any of the worries that weigh them down. I pray that they would be anxious for no thing, but would come to you in prayer with all their needs, thanking you even now that you know how you’re going to take care of every last detail. I thank you that you care about the things that we care about, and that you are our source of peace in the midst of the storms.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Because of Him, #HopePrevails!

Resource to Break Anxiety’s Grip

 

No question, we have a lot to worry about. Children, jobs, homes, health, finances, and more. The solution isn’t to rid ourselves of the sources of anxiety – as if we could. Instead, we need to recognize that anxiety originates from a spiritual influence and that we can fight back using the God-given weapons of power, love, and a sound mind.

We can discover true peace in an age of anxiety.

In Breaking Anxiety’s Grip, Dr. Michelle Bengtson shares her own story of emerging from the battle with anxiety as well as the stories of others. She reminds you of your identity as a follower of Christ and of the peace he promises you in spite of everything.

She provides tools to cope with the crushing emotional burden of anxiety now and, more importantly, shows you how to reclaim God’s peace as a way of life so that you can break anxiety’s grip.

Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBooks.com, Books-A-Million, and other fine book retailers.

Click here to learn more:  Breaking Anxiety’s Grip.

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