“Don’t worry. Be happy.” For some, that phrase is easier said then done. All of us worry at times, but sometimes the “worries” can get the best of us. Who will my child have as his/her teacher next year? What am I going to wear to a big event that makes me look good? Will I get a raise at my job? Some “worries” are even greater. What will I do if I don’t have enough money to pay my mortgage? What will happen to me and my kids if my spouse becomes sick? What if my child has is hurt somehow?
I have to tell you that my biggest worry or fear is flying. Yes, I have flown before ( 2 times to be exact since 2001), but something about it creates great anxiety for me. I worry about the plane being in good working order. I worry that there will be turbulence. I worry that something awful will happen while we are in the air. I could go on and on. I have such a fear of it, that I believe I have panic attacks. Now flying isn’t a worry or fear that I had to confront everyday. So, it was easy to let if go. I didn’t have to think about it because when was I ever going to need to fly. For some reason my need to confront this fear/worry kept coming up in my mind. I know that fear comes from Satan, so one day I decided to act on that little voice urging me to face my fear/worry. I decided to seek the counsel of a Christian aunt who has dealt with fear. She sent me a list of Bible verses to combat my fear. The Bible says that Jesus used God’s word to combat Satan and we should do the same. I carried this list around with me. I memorized the verses and hid them in my heart. All the while thinking ” When was I going to need to use these verses?” I think God was helping to prepare me for my test. Last July, my grandfather passed away suddenly. I was 7 months pregnant and had a 2 year old. There was no way I was going to travel by car to Nashville, Tennessee — a 12 hour drive from where I live. I had one choice — fly. The funeral was scheduled in a matter of days and we had to go. My list traveled with me on the plane. As we boarded the plane, I had my list in hand. I sat in my seat and read that list over and over again. I held onto that list the entire plane ride. Let me just tell you, I had no anxiety on that plane. Praise the Lord! I had such a peace about it all as we were flying. I know that God gave me that peace. Those Bible verses combated Satan and the Lord was victorious! In few weeks, I will be flying to Tennessee for a family wedding. I have been reading my list and already the “peace that passes all understanding” has enveloped me.
Here is my list of verses. I use these verses for the “big worries” and the “little worries.”
Joshua1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Romans 8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
Romands 8:37-39 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height not depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you
