I did it afraid, with the help of Jesus, and had the victory. [Spirituality & Religion]

I know what it is to fear. I used to shake with fear from terrible abuse, to the point of hyperventilation. I kept little cartons of Hawaiian Punch in my room, so when I got hungry, I wouldn't have to go downstairs to face what I felt, was a monster. This one particular time, years ago, I had a poster in my bedroom, like this one:


So every time I felt afraid, I looked at that poster and I also prayed a lot. The poster reminded me that Jesus is still in control and brings peace in times of trouble.

The story behind it, is that during a huge storm in the ocean, Jesus's disciples became very fearful for their lives, so they awoke Jesus, and begged him to save them. Jesus got out of the boat, and walked on the water, to show them there's nothing to fear, as He was there to help protect them. Peter asked if he could come out on the water, too. Jesus said, "You can! Don't be fearful. Just keep your eyes on Me, and you will be safe." Jesus stretched out His hand for Peter to take hold. Peter kept his eyes upon Jesus, while he stepped out of the boat, onto the raging sea. He was only able to overcome fear, himself, when he kept his eyes fixed on Jesus. As long as he looked at Jesus, he was fine. But when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused instead on the tumultuous circumstances that surrounded him, Peter began to sink. Jesus told him to have faith and keep his eyes on Him, instead of the high waves that threatened his life. Peter looked at Jesus and once again, he had victory and walked on the water.

Of course, the point of the story, is that when we keep our eyes on this world and all the chaos that is happening around us, we definitely will become fearful. But when we keep our eyes on Jesus, all the cares and tribulations of this world, grow strangely dim and fade, because Jesus' Spirit brings sweet peace to our spirit.

I can vouch, that is true. I kept my eyes upon Jesus each time I feared, and my fears disappeared. Jesus brings peace in our heart and spirit, and that reminder in that poster in my room, along with prayer, helped me get through years of abuse. It goes along with the verse, "He shall keep you in perfect peace, whose eyes are stayed on Him." Isaiah 26:3 Oh, how true that is. He has sustained me, to this day.

When hard times come, that's God telling you something needs to change in your life, so you can be happy again, and change can be very scary. I've done it afraid, even when I could barely stand for my knees knocking, the day my husband was going to start in on me, for nothing. Just cause he was a bully. I layed into him with the worst verbal thrashing (not even cuss words), and he had to back down. He knew I meant business. Then a few days later, I left with both small children, with about twenty bucks to my name, only what we could get in the car, and no place to go, but Jesus helped me through, as I knew He would...He certainly did. He found us a permanent nice place to live, with no money down, just as I knew He would. Then helped me get a job. Whatever it is you're facing right now, He'll help you, too. Just trust Him. He is trust-WORTHY.