Fear, anyone?

[Candessa]

I know, I know, I know, that a spirit of fear is not of the Lord. Okay, I've addressed that one. But does anyone else seem fearful of the what's coming?

I read and reread to prepare or not to prepare. What can you do, what shouldn't you do? Bottom line. My husband and I have 5 small children, ages 9 and under; the youngest 5 months. When I go to bed I think about the what ifs. I wonder if I could do more. Perhaps will I have to leave suddenly and all of my prep will be for naught. OR, should I prepare more and have it for those who will come when I am gone? Yes, I know that the Lord will provide, but doesn't he also direct Husbands to provide for their households? Shouldn't we provide for our children so that the chaos of the moment is lessened b/c they are not hungry? I want to care and nurture my children. Perhaps it is the mother in me that worries about these things. I have told my husband that I keep having this "fear" that we've been raptured and I can't find my babies in heaven. (btw, our 2 oldest have given their hearts to Jesus, the others are 3 and under.) I know, I know they won't be "babies" as such... ugh.. HELP, is there anyone else who feels this way? I don't mean for this to be a biblical debate, I just want to know that when I go to bed @ night and think about my little ones that I'm not crazy or unbelieving; but that's it's just the mother in me. It's not that I don't love Jesus or that I don't trust that heaven is a safer and more wonderful place than this horrible sin filled world, but I can't help but be a bit saddened that I won't see them grow up. I keep looking @ them and thinking that my "time" with them is short. I love being a mom and want to know that I get to have that job in heaven....

Please don't dogpile me... doesn't anyone else feel overwhelmed with this insight? I often wonder why G-d has chosen me to carry this? I feel @ times like Moses. Why me Lord? Someone else could carry this Truth better than I can...

[proparent]

Yes, I know how you feel. I have kids too, and I also go to bed at night and wonder about what's ahead for all of us. Most of the time I try to push it out of my mind cuz I'll go crazy if I start thinking about all the "what ifs". Other times I pray and pray. I just keep coming back to this....
God will be there for us when we need it. He will give us the peace and strength to perservere, whatever we have to perservere in. That includes our families, our children. Our lives are His. He will provide what we need, when we need it. Those thoughts comfort me.



Love, In Christ,
Lisa

[Lookfortruth]

Candessa, you are not alone! I think there is a difference between fear and panic. I am not paralized by fear. I believe and trust God, but I would not be honest if I said I had no fear whatsoever! We have hearts and compassion, and we know there will be a lot of suffering in these end times. I also think about how I would handle things when it comes down. I know the Lord will strengthen us when the time comes, but it is hard to imagine it right now.

[Salty Skipper]

Think of it like this...

Pray to the Lord everyday, continually giving this issue over to him. As you pray and listen to what He tells you in the Word and through the urgings of the Holy Spirit (make sure it's the Holy Spirit and not you ) do as He instructs. Every day. That is what I'm having to do myself so as not to be overwhelmed. The Lord is Faithful and True. He will not lead you astray, but in the way you should go, day by day. He is able to take care of each one of us in life and in death.

Just my

[zephaniah]

Candessa,

I may not be a mother, but i am a father of 4. I have struggled with this issue as well. I have a responsibility to protect my children and wife, but ultimately, it's in God's Hands and He has protected us in a way no one earth can touch. I assure you, you are not alone. Seems like many are at least a bit fearful and it's our human nature, but God is greater than our fears. Just don't let it get the best of you. As some have already posted, pray,pray,pray. A great verse for you to lock in your head is 2 Tim 1:7. It is my signature line,btw, as it has been my guide for many years. Our pastor in Germany(he pastored a church for soldiers stationed in Germany) gave it to us right before we went to the first Gulf War. That verse has helped calm me in many a storm, whether it be war, finances, family turmoil, work trials, etc. Another one is Isaiah 41:10. Hope these help. He will be with you and your little ones, even if we are taken violently from this earth and He will never leave us even in our darkest hour. In fact, i suspect that is when we will see Him more clearly than ever.

zephaniah

[Be still]

I would describe it as more of an unsettled feeling.

[ozell]

HELLO

GOD WILL DELIVER ALL THAT BELIEVE ON HIM AND THESE ARE THEY THAT DO WHAT HE SAYS DO FOR DELIVERANCE.

Jn 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

1Jn 3:22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

Lk 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

Dan 3:25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.


Dan 6:22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

Job 1:10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

Ps 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2: I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3: Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4: He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5: Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6: Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7: A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8: Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9: Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10: There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11: For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12: They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.


Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Lk 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Mt 15:28 Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

1Thes 1:10 And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

OZELL

[BethelKid]

Hello, Candessa! I, too, have fears...not as much about the hunger part, but about someone trying to hurt my kids if we are persecuted (I mean REAL persecution like other countries face all the time). I will try to remember to pray for all of us (not just myself), so we will draw strength and comfort from the Lord. I know we all know a zillion verses that tell us God is in control, but yet in our human frailty we still fear the unknown possibilities we may face. But God is so awesome, just as we are concerned for our kids and their needs, He cares so deeply for all of us. What a wonderful thought--that our Lord loves us so much!!! Hang in there!

Holly

[Candessa]

Thank you. In the Light of day, things always look better. I was so encouraged by each of your posts. Don't think it coincidence that you were led to post a reply. I am going to print off these words of encouragement. I pray for dicernment and being ready to give Truth when asked. However, the truth of the times is often heavy and it's hard not to think through the what ifs. But I will focus on that fact the NONE of the "what ifs" will I face alone. Thank you, again.

[proparent]

Love, in Christ,
Lisa

[Mario]

Candessa,

The fears you feel are so understandable. But as the times of trouble intensify, it is the pain of separation that my wife and I feel. We live with our 2 youngest in Central NY. We also have 1 in Spain, 1 in NH, 1 in CT, and 1 in FL. This process of letting go has gone on thousands of years for parents and the events of the next 7 yrs. will only accelerate that process for us all.

So in my distress of mind, hopefully offset by my confidence in God, I pray with Paul:

Phil 4:1 Therefore, my brethren [children], whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

Candessa, your family is in my prayers!

[soonverysoon]

I have 3 kids and everytime I see some sick-o on the news or read how close we are to war, I also feel as you do. So I stop and tell myself over and over, "Jesus loves the kids even more then you do". This gives me peace because I know that as much as I love them it is only a drop in a bucket compare to how much God loves them.

God will keep us we can trust Him.


soonverysoon

[Salty Skipper]

God sees and He knows His children. Whether in life or in death...they belong to Him! He will take care of His own. We serve a Mighty, Mighty God.

[OBXBob]

These verses have so often been a blessing to me:

Philippians 4

6. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

So few words, but so much said...

Blessings,

Bob