Overtaken by Fear

Have you been overcome by fear? Do anxious thoughts keep you up at night and thwart all signs of joy or hope? Have you encountered a circumstance that pulls you down a road flooded with panic and anxiety? Our circumstances can often feel like they control us, leaving us with no choice but to become fearful. I can’t count the times that I’ve bought into the lie that my circumstances are bigger than my God. That my problems are too big for Him to fix. I forget the amazing power and miraculous ways God can work and I let it be drowned out by my exaggerated worries, escalated by my doubt and fear.

The other day my pup and I went for a walk to a nearby field not far from my house. I’ve grown comfortable walking her there and started letting her run free in one of the fields. We’ve done this many times before and she always remained by my side and listened to my voice when I called her, so I grew comfortable letting her off the leash in this specific field. The other day when we were enjoying our time there, I heard a train off in the distance. As the train sounds grew louder I awaited seeing it pass by. When the train arrived and chugged along beside the field my dog quickly grew very frightened and began darting as fast as she could away from the train.

I called after her, hoping she’d listen and know everything was okay, but my voice was drowned out by her heightened fear and the noisy train whistles. She was on a mission and nothing could stop her. Racing away as fast as she could, I was unable to keep up. My heart started pounding when all I could think of was her heading towards a nearby neighborhood and a busy road full of cars where she could be easily hurt and in harms way. She was literally running from what she thought was danger, and headed straight to where she could be greatly harmed. So, to sum up my story, I ended up jumping in my car and searched for where she ran off to. I was able to find her running along the road before she reached the neighborhood. I was never so glad to see my pup, gave her a big hug and took her straight home. Even as frightened as she was, I think my heart was pounding even more.

While I was having a panic attack trying to rescue my dog, I could only think of how my life looks quite similar. I grow fearful in my circumstances and allow the “noise” of this world to set me off running to places of fear and worry. I allow my fear to become so loud that I’m unable to hear God’s voice beckoning me to listen to Him. I think my way is best, when in reality when I’m running away from God’s voice and I am headed straight into harms way. Even though I can become fearful and ignore God’s voice, He still comes after me, seeking to draw me near and guide me back to safety. He’s always looking out for me and will never think I’m too far gone to come rescue me from danger.

Maybe you feel the same. You look around and your fears are escalated by the “noise” of this world. What you see on the tv. What you hear from your friends. Running “what if” thoughts through your mind of what could happen. It can feel so natural to allow our worries to dictate what is truth. I can’t count the times that worries and negative thoughts have stolen my hope and trust in God. Once I allow my worries to control my thoughts it sets me running down a path that Satan desires me to tread.

Take a few moments and remember God’s promises. Don’t allow the noise that has been flooding your mind to overtake God’s voice. What would God’s responses to your worries be?

On that day when my dog was running from the train, I thought I was rescuing my dog, but I think God was truly rescuing me. It allowed me to see my circumstances differently and reminded me that God is constantly out to rescue me even when I’m running away from His voice and choosing to listen to the enemy. He cares deeply for me even when I don’t acknowledge Him. He loves me so much that He continually runs to find me and protect me from all the noise of this world. If only I would stop, listen and run towards Him.

It doesn’t matter what we’ve done, God will still seek us out and welcome us even when we’ve turned from Him time after time. He’s constantly desiring to pursue us and protect us from the harm of the enemy. Don’t grow discouraged. God is working in your life and is intimately seeking after you even if you can’t see it! You may be overtaken by your fear but the God of the universe, who created you, is out there waiting to rescue you and save you. You simply need to listen to His voice, tuning out the lies of the world, and trust Him with your worries. When you rely on Him, He’s got you sheltered in His hands, and that’s the safest place you can be!