Facing my fears

In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul. – Psalm 138:3

After Bill and I married, I became overly dependent on him, rather than depending on God for my security and strength. Feeling very inadequate and fearful, secretly I worried, "What if one day I don’t have Bill anymore?"

When our missionary work took Bill from home for weeks at a time, I began to depend on myself instead of Bill. Feeling even more inadequate, I reduced the risks of life whenever possible and lived within a cocoon of anxiety, even being afraid to go out in public.

Finally, at rock bottom, I followed David’s example in Psalm 138:3. He said, "In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul." I too cried out and God answered me. His answer gave me the understanding and strength to crack open the cocoon of fear and begin spreading my wings in dependence on God. Slowly but surely He made me a bold servant at Bill’s side.

Years later, when Bill died, I recognized how compassionately God had dealt with my earlier fear: "What if one day I don’t have Bill anymore?" Instead of removing my fear, God gave me the strength and ability to face it. And He will enable you as you depend on Him. – Joanie E. Yoder

I know not, but God knows;

Oh, blessed rest from fear!

All my unfolding days

To Him are plain and clear. – Flint

READ: Psalm 138

To conquer your fears, surrender them to the Lord.