Life doesn’t have to be chaotic when uncertainty arises.
I want to share with you my experience of walking through a recent health scare. As you can imagine when a doctor is concerned with my health it frightens me because of going through cancer and a near death experience several years back.
But I was amazed at how I managed to have God’s supernatural peace while life felt pretty chaotic when I thought I might be sick again!
Philippians 4:6-7 tells us, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This passage took root in my life and literally gave me supernatural peace and strength as I waited several days on test results. I believe the reason I was able to experience God’s peace that surpasses all understanding is because of two reasons:
- God is God and He can do anything!
- Because I did not run to food to comfort or numb myself from feeling so afraid.
Running to food is a normal reaction when I’m feeling scared. Because I was not overloaded with sugar I was able to experience God’s peace on a much deeper level than ever before.
If you struggle with reaching for something other than God when you’re feeling afraid, I want to encourage you to stop and seek God’s presence before running to food, shopping, work, friends …
I would love to hear what things you might run to before seeking God first. Everyone who comments will be entered to WIN a special devotional book from Lysa TerKeurst, What Happens When Women Say Yes to God. Winner announced Feb. 28.
Journal with God: Write to God in your journal and tell Him all the things you are letting go of before seeking Him first. *From my journal: Dear God, I’m tired of eating to comfort myself. I’m choosing to stop living out of my emotions and sit with this pain long enough to allow you to intervene and comfort me. Thank you Jesus for your healing.
*New client waiting list: I do schedule a brief call prior to accepting new clients to determine if we will be a good fit to work together. I will have a few openings mid March. Click here to schedule a time. Due to limited availability appointments fill up fast.
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Linda Kuhar is a Certified Christian Life Coach, Board Certified Life Coach, Certified Human Behavior Consultant, Author, Speaker and Mentor. Click here to learn more about coaching with Linda & frequently asked questions about the experience.
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A nap….I try to run to a nap….(chocolate is an alternative, but nap may inch that out) if I am running to something other than God.
Rebecca napping is another one of mine too 🙂
I immerse myself in computer work to keep my mind busy and not think about my problem. Usually, the food is right next to me….it has to be something like popcorn or M&M”s….the small food I can keep popping in my mouth!
Sweet & salty while covering myself up in work. I’ve done that too!
You quoted some of my favorites. Today I heard something I needed to hear in those verses and it was that He will guard our hearts and MINDS. That was powerful to me today because our minds can be our biggest enemy. Thank you.
Joyce Meyer got it right when she wrote Battlefield of the Mind! I’m grateful to finally understand that this is where all my problems begin … in my mind. Thanks Merrill for pointing that out.
I have a few things I run to before I would seek God. I wish it wasn’t that way because God is for me and they are against me. I too run for comfort in food. Also I will medicate myself to try and numb the pain. Growing up and the feelings of insecurity and unlove I used chocolate.
Sharon I think it’s our natural instinct to want to comfort ourselves. But the problem is all of us use numbing too comfort instead of soothing ourselves first. Sitting in God’s presence is soothing.
I would love to climb into God’s lap and be held close.
Linda, I am so happy that your test results were good. Praise God! I wish that I did not always run to food when I am stressed. That is something that I am working on changing. I do know that when I run to God first, worries seem to lighten and His peace comes into my body. That is a wonderful feeling. God Bless You! 🙂
Thank you Melissa. You would not believe even as this post went out I had another call back from the doctor and did more test! But PRAISE GOD I am healthy!!! Thank you for being here.
One thing I do when I’m fearful is immerse myself in work. Rather than seeking God’s presence and the peace that only He can offer, I struggle with relying on self. Thank you for the chance to win this book.
Thanks Rondah for sharing yourself here.
I sometimes eat — or stop eating when I am anxious. A more healthy alternative is to take a walk or do some deep breathing exercises. Philippians 4:6-7 is my favorite quote. Recently, I had to wait while my husband had a 12+ hour surgery to remove a cancerous tumor. Many people were texting me asking if I had heard any news, if my husband was out of surgery, etc. It was only by the grace of God – and through others praying for us – that I remained completely calm the entire time waiting. The surgeon said it was one of the most complicated cases he has worked on. Of course, many people were praying that God would guide the surgeon’s hands. We are so blessed to tell everyone that the surgery was successful and my husband had no complications!
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