Season of Peace

Finding hope from fear, depression, anxiety and panic attacks.

Faith

climbing trees

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A few years ago, my family and I attended our first family reunion. It was four days of sleeping in tents, eating good food and sharing family stories. We flew to Ohio to meet aunts, uncles, cousins and second cousins that we hadn’t seen in years–some we’ve never met. It was a special time.

It was also a time for me relax and enjoy some time with Caleb, who was 6 years old at the time. In between flying kites and swimming in the pond, Caleb and I found time to do some fun things together. One of those activities was climbing trees. Since we don’t have too many “climbing trees” at our home in Texas, we took full advantage of the tall trees in Ohio.

“Daddy, let’s go climb that one,” asked Caleb.

We darted over to the small apple tree. Caleb crawled his way up into the first clump of limbs. I was right behind him, making sure he didn’t fall or lose his grip. Like an experienced climber, he surveyed the various branches and footholds. He grabbed a limb with one hand, slid his foot into the next branch and up he went. I was impressed. He was both confident and cautious. Again, I followed his climb, just in case he needed me.

Finally, he had reached his limit. He couldn’t quite grasp that next level of branches. “Well Caleb,” I said proudly, “this is quite high.”

“But Daddy, I want to go higher.” He pointed to two branches about four feet up. “Right there! That’s where I want to go.”

After making sure it was safe, I decided to help him to that next level. I positioned my knee as a new step for him and held on as he pulled himself upward. In one quick movement, he made his way up to the top. He stood there confidently, looking around at the view as if he were on top of the world.

After a few proud minutes, it was time to crawl down. But Caleb quickly realized that he was in a place where he couldn’t get down by himself. “Daddy, you have to help me. I can’t do this by myself.” As I began to help him down, he just kind of fell into my arms, trusting me to catch him all the way. Moving cautiously, we eventually worked our way down.

When I think about this battle with anxiety and panic attacks, we often find ourselves up a tree that we can’t get down. Fear grips our mind as we try to figure out how to “get down”. We survey all of the possible escapes, but nothing seems to work. I believe this is where we need to cry out to our Father just a Caleb did, saying: “Daddy, you have to help me. I can’t do this by myself.”

But, that’s not all. After our cries for help, we must take the next step–fall limp into the arms of our Father in heaven who is waiting there to catch us. We can pray and ask and cry out for help, but if we cling to the branches of worldly security, then we will never experience the peace that God has for us.

Prayer: Father, I need you to catch me. I need to just fall into your arms. The fear and anxiety have gripped my mind and I have nowhere to climb down. Help me just to rest in you.

just believe

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Has your hope dwindled down to nothing? Have you completely given up on ever being free from this tormenting fear? Is there any light at the end of your tunnel?

For years, my hope waned, dwindling down to almost nothing. Total despair and discouragement was quickly setting in. The anxiety and fear had so gripped my life that carrying out my normal daily routines was nearly impossible. But even in the despair, there was the smallest inkling of hope. I knew deep down in my heart that I was not created to live like this.

Speaking prophetically of Jesus, Isaiah writes: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering ember he will not snuff out” (Isaiah 42:3). I knew Jesus would not abandon me nor snuff out what little ember of hope I had left. Let me share how Jesus can renew your hope and spark a new kind of faith in you.

The synagogue’s daughter was deathly ill. Jairus frantically searched to find Jesus, because he knew that Jesus could heal his daughter and keep her from dying. He quickly found the Healer and pleaded with him to come to his house where he could pray for his 12-year old daughter.

But while on the way, Jesus was detained by a lady who had touched the hem of his garment. She was healed, and Jesus looked around and questioned who had touched him. Meanwhile, Jairus was probably way ahead of the group calling out to Jesus, “Come on! Hurry! My daughter is very ill, and we need you to pray. Hurry!”

As they approached the house, later than planned, Jarius’ servants came outside looking very sad. His daughter had died. Jairus cried out, “If only we had gotten here sooner.” Yet, even death could not stop Jesus. He turned to Jairus and said two simple sentences–two sentences that can renew your hope and your faith that God wants to make you whole:

Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid. Just believe” (Luke 8:50).

When those overwhelming thoughts would come crashing in and my mind would begin to race, it was almost as if I could hear Jesus speaking those words to me: “Russ, don’t be afraid. Just believe.” Yes, it is hard to stand still when your body is numb with fear and your mind is racing out of control. But God is with you. He will not leave you alone.

“Well Russell, you don’t understand what I’ve been through. I’ve seen all the doctors. I’ve talked with all the counselors and psychiatrists. I’ve tried every medication known to man, and nothing is working for me. I fight and struggle and lose this battle to fear constantly, daily, every hour. It is just impossible for me to have any hope.”

As instruments of God’s healing, I do believe in doctors and medication along wise counsel, but ultimately, my hope is not in them. Listen carefully to the truths in these two verses of scriptures. I pray these words from your Father will rekindle your hope and spark your faith:

“What is impossible with men is possible with God” (Luke 18:27).

“Anything is possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23).

This week, I encourage you with the words Jesus: “Don’t be afraid. Just believe.”

Prayer: Lord, I believe. I believe you are more than able to help me get free from fear. I know that your will is for me to live a life full of peace and rest. Lord, I put my trust in you.

financial anxiety

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When you think of money or finances, is your stomach in knots? Is the upcoming holiday season starting to stress you out? What about the current financial crisis? Are you living paycheck to paycheck? Are you constantly fretting layoffs or “restructuring”?

Finances can be a very anxious experience for many, even those who are well off. Managing money can be very stressful. Many couples that divorce in the US do so because of problems with money. It’s an incredibly serious issue in people’s lives.

Can you find peace in stressful financial situations? Can finances really become a place of peace and rest, or must they always be feared and anxiety-provoking?

When it comes to our financial economy, our country is in serious trouble. Consumer debt is at an all time high. Credit companies have made it so easy to “buy now and pay later”. For one small monthly fee, you can have whatever you want. How many of those “small monthly fees” do you have?

This credit-driven lifestyle has made it too easy to spend more than we make. I recently read a statistic on consumer spending in America. Through most of the 1900’s, people spent on average about 30% less than what they made. That means people were saving money. Today, the average American spends more than they earn. That means nothing is being saved. Nothing is put away for unforeseen circumstances.

I can see why financial anxiety is rampant these days. The loss of a job, an emergency house repair, the car breaks down, again–all can be terribly stressful when it comes finances.

So, is there hope? Can you be free from financial anxiety? I shout a hearty YES. You can be free. But, it may take time and serious discipline. It probably took you years to get where you are now. For many, it’ll take years to dig yourself out of the financial pit. But, here’s the beautiful thing–God is faithful and he cares for you, even your finances.

Today, my wife and I live in financial freedom. And it’s not because we have lots of money. On the contrary, we live very modestly. As a freelance producer, our finances ebb and flow depending on projects. Our financial freedom is a result of solid money management skills and the discipline to live by those skills.

We live on a budget, we no longer use credit cards, we only buy used cars, and at the end of each month, we have money left over. Amazingly, we don’t feel at all constricted by this lifestyle. Quite the opposite. This lifestyle has given us incredible freedom.

“But you don’t know where we are. We’ve maxed out our credit cards? My husband lost his job. These medical bills keep getting higher and higher. We can barely get by.”

Here’s the most important message I learned about finances: it’s not a matter of how much or how little you make; it’s a matter of your heart. Financial freedom starts in your heart. Listen to what Jesus said, “Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be” (Matthew 6:21).

Where is your treasure? A new car, a big house, a pair of jeans, your 401K? Or, is your treasure in your family, your peace, or God? You see, where you put your money is where your heart is. Your money always follows your heart. So, make sure your heart is right when it comes to finances.

When my wife and I first got married, we were in debt. I was into new cars, new stereo equipment, new things. So when I prayed for financial freedom, I expected God to deposit a big sum of money into my account. What he did, though, was deposit incredible financial wisdom into my heart. You see, financial freedom starts in your heart.

If you’re struggling with finances, I want to encourage you that you can be free from financial anxiety. God desires to help you, first with your heart and then with your finances. I have seen God move in amazing ways when it comes to finances, both in my life and in the lives of those we have counseled. There are great resources to help you in this journey towards financial freedom. Dave Ramsey and Crown Financial are two great resources to get started.

Prayer: Father, I need your help with finances. Financial anxiety is consuming me. I’ve made some bad money decisions in the past, and the financial consequences are overwhelming. First, change my heart. Then, give me a strategy to get my finances under control. Help me start down the road to financial freedom.