Clinging to Jesus

Clinging to Jesus
Author: Michelle Trimmer, Communication Specialist
Fear Less
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During one of the darkest times in my life, a friend gave me a small wooden cross. It fit perfectly in the palm of my hand, and I clung to it during times of desperate prayer. I gripped the cross tightly as I sat on my couch night after night and poured out my fears and requests to God. I placed it on my end table as a visual reminder that Jesus is well-acquainted with pain and suffering and that He is always with me.

When our world is turned upside down, and it feels as if our nightmares have come to life, fear and anxiety can easily take hold. Fear whispers in our ear and tells us that we’re all alone and that God has abandoned us. During these times, we must cling to Jesus and His promise to never leave us or forsake us.

– Deuteronomy 31:8

We aren’t alone in our fears. The Bible is filled with stories of individuals who struggled with anxiety, yet were used greatly by God. Moses was chosen to lead the Israelites, but he was afraid to speak. David had the courage to fight Goliath, yet ran from King Saul. Peter would later lead 3,000 to Christ at Pentecost, yet he denied even knowing Jesus just weeks earlier. Fear is a struggle common to us all. I find it interesting that “fear not” is the most repeated command in the Bible. It is repeated 365 times throughout Scripture, which is comforting as I personally need this reminder on a daily basis.

On Sunday, Arch reminded us that when we stand firmly on the promises of God, we can have stability in the midst of fear. I’m personally comforted by knowing that God loves me and that He promises to never leave me or turn His back on me.

As a mother, I love my children with a fierce love. It’s hard for me to imagine anyone loving my child more than I do. Yet, God does. He loves them more than I possibly could, which is difficult for me to fathom. Not only does He love my children, He has the same great love for me—and for you. If we know that God loves us and will never leave us, how should we then respond to fear and worry?

– Romans 8:38-39

Researchers have discovered that gratitude and worry can’t exist in the brain at the same time. What a life-changing discovery! I didn’t hear about this study until recently, but I’d inadvertently been conducting my own research on this phenomenon. When I found myself nearly paralyzed by fear a few years ago, I began to recall everything that I was thankful for and speak it aloud. The big things, the small things, and everything in between were spoken until my gratitude overwhelmed my fears. 

I also found great comfort in worship. As I began to sing God’s praises, my worries lessened until my mind was focused on the greatness and goodness of the One I worshiped. Could this be why an anxious David sang praises to God so often? 

I turned to God’s Word and reflected on the many times that He has shown His faithfulness throughout history and also in my personal life. As I considered God’s faithfulness, the power of fear began to lose its grip, and I started to see tiny glimmers of hope.

When you find yourself experiencing fear in your own life, I encourage you to thank God for His blessings, worship Him for who He is, and find peace and comfort in the Bible and in all that He has done in your life.