Solution for Fear

"Don't let your heart be troubled." - John 14:1

Have you ever been scared or felt alone, even though you knew there were people beside you who would always be willing to support you? Have you ever felt like you couldn't express yourself to anyone because you felt like you didn't have the willpower to explain everything?

Well, there I was, a night before my exam, desperately trying to cram in some last minute information, feeling super stressed that I couldn't get everything in my brain and feeling the power and motivation draining out of me every second. I can't remember exactly what exam I was stressing over or how well I even did in the exam, but one I thing I do remember: I knew before I even "gave up" that it was useless trying to keep on pushing myself to revise when I couldn't even concentrate on what I was reading any longer. I was far beyond aware of the fact that I had two of the following choices: keep on revising or stop. Now, the question wasn't really "Will I stop or continue revising?" It was "What will I do with my time when I stop?" Clearly, stopping wasn't going to reduce my anxiety, in fact, if I wouldn't have used my time productively, it would have most likely increased it. As you can probably guess, I stopped revising and went to my room. I knelt down and prayed, not for wisdom or more energy or for God to help me with my exam. No. At that moment I just wanted peace. I wanted God to take away my anxiety and help me calm down. I just wanted to stop myself from having this fear because I knew it wasn't even worth it. You see, initially, I spoke to members in my family and they all told me the same thing: not to worry. But I just wasn't satisfied with their answer, and the reason I wasn't satisfied was because I couldn't. I couldn't just not worry. And so, I asked God for serenity.

After I finished my prayer, I looked up some Biblical quotes and among them, there was today's quote, "Don't let you heart be troubled." (John 14:1) I believe that this quote was the answer to my prayer. The second I read it, I could feel my heartbeat slow down and I remember I immediately felt like I was being immersed in a sea of calmness and tranquillity. Even today, when I feel like I am being drowned by fear or when I feel troubled, I read this quote and it always has the same effect: it always gives me peace. What you should take away from this is the following thing: '[we] can do all things through Christ, who strengthens [us].' (Philippians 4:13)

What do you do when you are scared or when you feel like the ways of this world are too much for you? Do you have a meltdown? Or do you pray and trust in the Lord? We weren't promised that this life is going to be easy, but Jesus was the One who said that 'with God all things are possible.' (Matthew 19:26) So don't keep the fears you have within yourself, as the Lord will give you peace when you ask for it.

Have a blessed day!