I’m truly honored to know that people come to this blog because they believe I have some sort of financial expertise that could help them.
There’s another topic that I’ve become some sort of an expert about and that’s fear and anxiety. No two things can make your life tougher to deal with if these two tools of the enemy have gripped your everyday life.
I’ve battled them more than once and they took me to an eight count last year. I believe my Lord & Savior allowed it not only for my ultimate benefit but for me to be willing to speak out about a subject the world has claimed is better left unsaid.
They say there’s two things you can guarantee – death and taxes. Actually there’s three. You and/or some one you love and/or know, is, has or will, suffered from fear and anxiety. It can take the strongest will and bring it to its knees. It will make one feel ashame and embarassed.
Please know I’m one email away from anyone who needs a friend who understands what you’re going through with fear, anxiety and depression.
May the true peace that only God can grant be yours now and forever!
Peter your best blog yet. Even after all the times you have helped my foundation,this blog is so dear to my hear. Being diagnosed by 4 doctors with PTSD,depression,and anxiety and even mood swings after 9/11 this is such an important issue that we should all take serious,and if we know anyone who sufferes from this crippling disease,please get them help before its to late.
Love Peter
JF
I suffered from fear much of my youth and into my adult years as my dad was a terrible intimidator and emotionally very abusive. It changed after I was saved and had to face my fears and learn to trust Jesus in all situations. I even had an encounter with a bona fide demonic ’spirit of fear’ one night and I found out quickly that the name of Jesus does have REAL power against such entities and it left when I used Jesus’ name. Fear very rarely bothers me now.
Having been wiped out due to life circumstances for the third time in the last few years, and crushed emotionally by it, no ‘regular’ job per se and no income to rely on (just a few stocks) and a future that looks grim financially as a 59 year old with no pension and little else living in a bachelor apt one might get a little fearful. Yet, I have seen the faithfulness of the Lord too many times to know I will fall between the cracks. Do I at times feel abandoned and without help like I’m in a deep hole looking up? – sure do – I “feel” abandoned and depressed at times but in truth God never leaves us He says. We need to turn to him which is easier said than done for me right now and I struggle often to keep trusting when the storm ahead threatens despite having done all I can but He has always met my needs. It’s been 7 years now in this prolonged trial and the storm hasn’t abated yet and while He keeps helping, I grow weary at times and I know I shouldn’t but I do from the strain and stress of it all. Staying positive is hard some days when you were raised in comfort and now have no clue as to where you will be financially six months from now. I have no choice but to trust Jesus and thankfully He has always been there for over 25 years now since I first came to know Him in 1982. I believe with all my heart I am where I should be and trading stocks was something I wanted to do and now circumstances have caused me to embrace it full time 4 years ago. I was doing well until Aug 07. Now I rebuild again. It’s slow and tedious but I’m learning to do things a little differently to avoid common mistakes. My biggest enemy now is my own frustration, impatience and avoiding depression.
This life really is but for a short duration. We must stay the course keep focused on Him and when the storms of life blow hard – know that He is our anchor in every situation and He isn’t swayed by the circumstances facing us. He always has a door somewhere, a grace for the moment or provision or whatever it is we need at the time.
I needed to get this off my chest today. It’s too heavy for me to carry right now so thanks for humoring me.
Mike
Brother Mike – How awesome your spirit is to share this with us. Please allow me to be your newest friend. Your testimony was inspirational for me and yet another reason to continue this blog. My email is always open for you brother. Peace Be With You!
John – I will never truly begin to fully appreciate what 911 First Responders must feel like after literally giving their lives to help others only to see America turned their back on them. Please tell my readers the recent good news out of Washington and let us all pray it will become reality ASAP. I’m going to remember them at Mass today.
Mike….thanks for sharing….I believe we as believers need to be there for each other…I have never felt so called to offer the Hope that Christ offers us as at this very moment in time…our pain is His (Christs) gain. It is written that in our weakness God makes us strong…How could we be of help to others if we didn’t understand their pain? I for one want to hold on to the things of this world lightly, and store up treasures in heaven (Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:)
God Bless
Dear Mike,
I suffered 5 long years with anxiety! Christ was with me before, during, and after. And when I came out the other side I was a very different man. All things due work for the good that love the Lord Jesus.
Brother Lynn
Thanks Peter, Jeff and Lynn and for whomever was praying today – I could sense the Lord’s presence most of the day in a unique and comforting kind of way.
The Lord is so neat! We serve an awesome God. I am so thankful He was there when I called out to Him and He made Himself real to me years ago.
Love you guys!
Mike
Mike, I am a little late getting to this blog as am just accessing it Monday morning. Usually it is the first, last and middle thing I do for the day but took some time off yesterday. I will pray for you and will send on your email to some others who are in my Bible Study. I share on this blog about financial matters and things I read/research because I believe we are here to help each other. I can tell others who regularly post helpful information too feel the same. During these most difficult times, it is good to know we care about each other enough to share….stores, financial information, hope. Bless Peter for fulfilling his God given purpose.
Mike, one last thing. I went through a time of great fear and anxiety too and had a Divine Encounter that set my mind at rest. I took the time to write it up so as to never forget it and because it is one of my spiritual markers. If you think it might be of help to you, please respond back with your email and I will share it with you.
Sue, by all means send it to updatez@rogers.com and thank you.
Mike