Do your kids ever get scared? Mine do. In fact, I can get called upon, at least, three nights a week to come and pray for the "scary thoughts" that are keeping one of them from sleep.
"Scary thoughts" can be paralyzing:
"What if I fail?"
"What if I lose someone I love?"
"What if I don't have what it takes?"
"What if?"
Those scary thoughts can keep us from hearing God's voice, and those thoughts can even keep us from obeying God's direction.
Can I be honest with you? I struggle with the "what if's". Sometimes I get so carried away with the voices in my head that I stop listening to the voice of God.
Psalm 29 says:
"The voice of the Lord is over the waters...
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
The voice of the Lord is majestic.
The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars...
The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightening.
The voice of the Lord shakes the desert...
The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare.
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
The Lord is enthroned as King forever.
The Lord gives strength to his people;
The Lord blesses his people with peace."
I have to ask myself, "Who's voice should I truly be listening to?" My voice - self-absorbed and sinful? Or the voice of God - powerful and majestic? God's voice, His Word, is the word of the King. The voice of God brings peace, not fear and confusion. The voice of God strengthens our faith, it does not turn us into cowards.
When I get caught up with the "what if's" I have to quickly tell those voices in my head to submit to the Voice that is over the waters.
When you feel scared, or when you find yourself like me, caught up in the "what if's", look to God's Word. Remember His truth. Listen to His voice. Surrender your fears, and walk in obedience. And the Lord will bless you with peace.
2 Corinthians 10:5 "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."