You are not alone 

Five years ago, I found myself at a place in my life where my emotions were out of control. Anxiety paralyzed me and I had no idea what had caused the downward spiral I found myself in.

I cried out to God, begging for relief. I asked question after question. “Will I ever feel normal again? Will this anxiety ever leave me? Will I ever find peace? Will I ever be able to rest at night and make it through my days without tears and anguish and pain?”

All I wanted was to rest in the everlasting arms of my Saviour. I wanted peace. The kind of peace that only God could give. I wanted to experience joy and happiness once again.

As I remember those dark days, I feel so saddened that I caused my family pain and isolated myself from my friends, pushing people away, wallowing in my misery, doubting my faith, while the all-consuming anxiety held me in its death-like grip.

If you find yourself in that place right now, please know that I’m sorry, I understand, I remember.

I know the shame that comes with the pain as a child of God, knowing you should be trusting in Jesus, but not having the strength to fully rest in him.

I know the darkness that hangs overhead, the waves that crash down upon you and roll you over and over, down and down into the abyss of deep depression.

I want you to know that there is hope. There is peace. There is comfort. And it is found in Jesus.

First, remember this. You are not alone. Your out-of-control emotions will cause you to feel anxious and your anxiety will fuel the fire that blazes in your mind, causing you to think that you are alone, unloved, uncared for.

But God is the God who sees.

One of the names of God in Hebrew is El Roi, which basically means, the God who sees. When we feel forgotten and invisible, God sees us. He knows about our struggles, and he comes alongside us. As a gentle shepherd tenderly caring for his sheep, we are the object of his love and care.

Second. The place you find yourself in, the turmoil in your mind, the battle with your emotions, does not mean you are weak or a failure. We will all feel overwhelmed at some time. Did you know that even the Lord Jesus experienced it?

Mark 14:34-35 KJV - And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

If you read through the whole passage, you’ll notice that Jesus did 3 things. He was honest about how he was feeling. He asked help from his friends, and he prayed to his Heavenly Father. What a beautiful example for us to follow.

We will all feel overwhelmed by our emotions at some point, but what matters is what we do with those emotions. As children of God, we have the power to take our thoughts captive.

2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV - Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

We are not a failure because of our anxiety. God can pull us up out of the pit and set our feet on a solid rock once again. He can still use us for His glory.

We have to choose to regulate our out-of-control emotions with God’s truth.

Isaiah 26:3-4 KJV - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

It may take some time, but you can manage your fear and anxiety by getting into God’s Word, reading his truth and crying out to him in prayer. Hold fast to his promises. He tells us that he will bring peace if our mind is stayed on him. That word has the idea of being established, sustained, held up, resting, standing fast.

We have to keep our focus on him. We have to rely on him more than anyone or anything else. Yes, it is true that sometimes we may have to use medication, or seek counselling, but our main source of help should come from Christ himself.

Find verses of Scripture to declare over your heart and mind. Pray them aloud to God. Claim the promises you find in his Word. Trust in the Lord and believe that he can and will help you.

Reach out and ask a friend for help and counsel and prayer. Don’t be afraid to share your feelings. You don’t have to ride the storm alone.

God sees. He hears. He cares. He understands.

Isaiah 43:2 KJV - When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

God will be with you, and you will make it through. You can rise up from depression, anxiety, fear and worry.

You are not alone, and you are not a failure.

Proverbs 24:16 KJV - For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.

A person who trusts in the Lord and depends on him, may fall, but he will rise up again. He will overcome the trials of life through God’s strength and enabling.

The ungodly have no power to rise again. They don’t have the power to rise above adversity. But we, as children of God, have God’s supernatural power to rely on.

We may fall, and we may go through difficult times, but we can get up again because we have a Saviour who is bigger than anything we’ll ever face. He’s stronger than any obstacle. He’s more powerful than any emotion that threatens to overwhelm us. And if we can have faith, even faith as small as a mustard seed, we will see miracles.

I don’t know who needs to hear this today, but I want you to know that the darkness you face right now, can be replaced by light. The clouds will lift, the pain will ease, and you will rejoice in God’s goodness once again.

You have to make a choice to choose God’s truth over the lies that fill your mind. Fill your heart and mind with his Word and let your lips speak words of praise to your Heavenly Father.

Remember past victories. Relive beautiful memories in your mind. Dwell on what is pure and lovely and true.

Pray continually throughout the day. Let there always be a prayer in your heart and on your lips.

Search the Scriptures until you find promises that you can hold fast to, reading them over and over.

Listen to uplifting music that will feed your soul with messages of love and speak of God’s goodness to you.

Get out in nature and breathe in the fresh air. Listen to the birds. Immerse yourself in the beauty of a sunset or feel the rain on your face as you lift your eyes to Heaven in praise and worship of a God who loves you so much that he longs to spend time with you and hear your voice.  

He will never leave you. You are not alone.

Psalm 139:7-12 KJV - Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.