My mama heart jumped as my four year old took a hard fall to her noggin, leaving a fast swelling goose egg.
After applying ice and checking her baby blues for proper dilation, I had her walk across the floor patting her crazy curls while simultaneously rubbing circles on her tummy. She giggled and passed with flying colors.
I knew she was fine, but that evening as I tucked her in for bed I fought a fierce spiritual attack from the enemy.
Oh yes. The devil knows how to get to me. He knows my deepest fears.
Irrational visions of my daughter being diagnosed with cancer, or having sudden internal bleeding in the brain from a bump to the head, were worst-case scenario lies he used to shake my faith. He was determined to take my eyes off God and it worked. Anxiety took over.
“I love you” I said, and gently closed her bedroom door behind me. For a moment I just stood there, looking up. With a deep cleansing sigh, I felt God’s peace surround me and then I heard Him. “I’m here. I love her too. Trust Me.”
For so long, my life was a nonstop roller coaster ride of faith-building and character-refining trials. Still, those seasons were frightening and now I flinch easily at the slightest threat. It’s as though I expect bad things to happen because “bad things happening” seems to be the norm for my family.
What about the victories though? What about all the great things God has done to bless our life? His provision, protection and healing!
Friends, I don’t ever need to fear or flinch or worry. Neither do you. While God doesn’t promise a life free from trouble, He does promise to always be with us.
Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. (Psalm 9:10)
When the enemy strikes, we need to remember what God has already done for us in the past. I’ve seen His miracles and I know you have too!
In John 6:18 the terrified disciples rowed their boat over stormy waters watching Jesus walk on water toward them. Despite all they had seen him do before, they were still scared until they heard him say, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”
In every moment, in every circumstance, we need to have faith.
Faith is not a mind-set that waits for and worries about trouble. It’s one that expects God will act, no matter what happens. My God – Your God – is so much bigger than any problem any of us will ever stand against.
He is our Shepherd, our Miracle Worker, our Healer, our Provision, our Strength, our Courage, our Peace, our Rock, our Redeemer and our Everything.
He.Is.Sufficient.
Let’s remember who our God is and all He’s capable of. Only then will we overcome fear and stand strong in those spiritual battles.
Do you hear Him?
“It is I, don’t be afraid.”
Rosann Cunningham is a Christian Author, wife to the man of her dreams, and stay-at-home mom to two delightful little girls. When she’s not out for a jog or having giggle fests with her daughters, she can be found writing for her blog ChristianSuperMom, and ministering to women whose husbands are in a season of unemployment, at her other website UnEMPLOYED Faith. Her writing inspiration for both projects comes from a strong desire to glorify God while sharing the heart of her journey through a life of faith.
Rosann, what peace and perspective this post brings. I am reminded of the worship song, whose title escapes me at the moment, but I remember the refrain goes “The solid rock on which I stand, all other ground is sinking sand”. How true! Oh, to remember that our God is ever-present!
Yes, Missy! 🙂 I’m so glad this brought peace and perspective. Thanks for your lovely comment!
“And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew,
and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” Matthew 7:25
Oh, yes,..Satan can hit us through our children like nothing else, can’t he?? When our youngest was in NICU for six weeks after being born 10 weeks premature, He reminded me over and over again that He loves my children more than I could ever begin to. When one of our children was the victim of a violent crime, He reminded me over and over again that He loves my children more than I could ever begin to. When our daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy last year, He reminded me over and over again that He loves my children more than I could ever begin to. And yet…I still struggle…after all He has taught me in this area, and after seeing His faithfulness over and over again. Needed this reminder today, as I’m struggling with anxiety over medical issues with one of our children right now. So glad that He is faithful even when I struggle…and that His strength is made perfect in my weakness. Thanks for sharing this, Rosann!
Oh Jen, I will pray for your child’s medical issue. You’re so right. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. He also loves US more than we could ever fathom, and He knows our heart and our fears. So thankful for His faithfulness. 🙂
When my girls go off with someone (other than me), the devil starts putting thoughts into my head, so I worry until they return. But in the background, I always hear God saying, “don’t worry, they’ll be fine”. As mothers, I think it is our nature to worry, especially with all the craziness in the world.
Oh Laura I totally relate with you there! I experience the exact same thing. 🙂
Rosann, another inspiring post. I think our faith is most tried when we’re a mom. I guess we get lots of experience practicing faith! Realizing our true worth and who we really are and who our children really are brings such a peaceful feeling to our mommy hearts.
Amen Becky! Thanks for your sweet words, friend. 🙂
Rosann, what a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing your fears with us. I have those anguishing thoughts from time to time. As the mom of an only child, those fears seem to double in size! It’s practically crippling because it makes you imagine a future scenario of your life that hasn’t, and will not, come to pass. Sometimes the best I can do is repeat over and over again, “God is my Life”! And He’s there in the room across the hall when I can’t be, too!
Crippling is a good word, Beth. That is exactly how I feel when satan tries to fill my head with lies. So thankful God will never leave us. 🙂
So true, friend. The enemy knows how to attack our mama hearts–and we fall for it so often, don’t we?! Thank you for the reminder that we need not fear.
I know, Katie. It kind of frustrates me to know I’m such an easy target. Makes me wonder how often God puts His palm to His forehead when He watches me react to things. Lol! So thankful for His unending grace.
Rosann, this is so touching. I have had the same fears. As mothers it’s like our children are organs or our heart that is the most vital to us. If anything happens to it, we seize to exist. I know I have often felt my faith tested but I guess it’s not just what we say and do but how we truly feel inside that helps God understand where our faith lies. Thank you for this enlightening post Rosann.
Thanks so much for your sweet words Lexie. I love how you compare our children to a vital organ. That’s exactly how I feel about my kiddos. 🙂
The first few lines had me instantly feeling your pain — with two very active kids, I have suffered through more than my share of head bumps! Somehow they are the scariest injuries to me. Thank you for your soothing words and reminder to have faith.
As our pastor says, “God doesn’t promise you a pain-free life, but He does promise you a meaningful one.” These scares are a chance to find that deeper meaning, aren’t they?
Yes! So true, Ginny! Thanks for your comment. 🙂
When our faith has weakened, God has intervened and shown us tangible blessings which have reminded us that He is with us, carrying us, and that He has our circumstances in the palm of His mighty hand.