Advice To Help When You’re Out Of Control & Afraid
If feeling out of control and afraid were sports, I’d have Olympic medals.
It’s not surprising. Worry is fear’s counterpart and I can’t remember a time in my life when I wasn’t challenged by fear.
Have you noticed most things we fear and worry about are initiated by feelings of helplessness? We feel the need to be in control but the truth is—we’re not.
I realized recently that I was stuck in a cycle of worry and fear because:
- I was focused more on my problems or possible problems than on God.
- I considered my concerns too trivial to bother God with them.
- I knew the things I feared had happened to someone else so it was certainly possible that God might allow them in mine.
- I wasn’t trusting God to protect me and give me strength.
- I was ashamed and embarrassed to admit my weak faith.
The truth … I was denying myself and my family the blessing of a joy-filled wife and mom.
It was time for me to accept that…
Bad things happen whether I’m afraid and worried or not! I can’t control what I can’t control!
So when you and I can’t control the things around us, with God’s help, we need to change our attitudes by changing our thinking and that begins by focusing on the One who calms storms rather than on the storms.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6–7
And Jesus said:
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
Matthew 6:33–34
If we want to experience freedom from feeling like we’re out of control and afraid, we have to spend time alone with God.
Faith grows in God’s presence … when we intentionally spend time with Him in prayer holding on to His promises.
Promises that remind us that…
He alone is God.
He loves each of us personally and intimately.
He is the One for whom anything is possible.
There is nothing too big for Him to handle or too small for Him to care … nothing we can share with Him that He will laugh at, share with anyone else, or use against us.
Our God is trustworthy.
When He says:
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. Isaiah 41:10
We can trust Him.
God has given both His promise and His oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.
Hebrews 6:18–19
So, let’s go to God and give Him our fears and out-of-control feelings. Let’s ask Him to help us remember His promises to care for us with unfailing never-ending love.
Let’s pray…
A Prayer to Trust God When You’re
Out of Control and Afraid
Father, Life is hard and sometimes it’s scary. Bad things happen. People get sick. Relationships end. Loved ones die. I’m worried and afraid about the future. About tomorrow. About later today.
Your Word tells me not to worry, not to feel discouraged, and not to be afraid. I want that. I want to live boldly, to be free of fear and worry, and to be strong and courageous. I want to know Your perfect peace.
Please forgive me. Forgive my doubt and lack of trust. I need Your help. I need You.
Fill me with Your truth. Help me know and feel Your loving presence. Help me focus on You and not on the things that frighten me.
Your Word says:
- You are with me. Isaiah 43:5
- You call me Your child. 1 John 3:1
- Your love never fails. John 1:17
- Nothing can separate me from Your love. Romans 8:38
- Your love is deep, high, and wide. Ephesians 3:18
- You keep me safe. Proverbs 18:10
- You will make me strong and courageous. Joshua 10:25
- You will fill me with joy and peace. Romans 15:13
Father, Thank you for providing everything I need to live without fear. Forgive me for doubting You. Forgive me for the times I’ve questioned Your love or Your ability. I’m sorry. By the power of Your Spirit, please help me hold Your promises close to my heart.
Help me know that You are who You say You are. Not who I think You are. Not who others say You are. Not who I want You to be. But who You say You are. Give me the peace and assurance that You keep Your promises and always do what You say You will do. Help me trust You completely.
You are my Strength, my Courage, my Hope. You are Lord of all. You are my Lord and my Redeemer. You are my Deliverer. My life is never out of Your control. I don’t need to be afraid. I give myself to Your care. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Pause today and write a list of your out of control fears. Name them. Face them. And give them to God.
Then take your list and shred or burn it.
God is with you. He is always in control. He loves you. He is trustworthy and He is the One for whom everything is possible.
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Thank you Deb. Once again you addressed what I needed to hear, at the right moment.
I’m glad, Karen. I was what I needed too. Blessings and hugs!
Thanks so much for the printable reminder you’ve given us here today, Deb. I’ve done just that!
Blessings always!
You’re welcome, Martha! I’m glad it encouraged you! Many blessings!
Amen 🙏
God bless you, Marinda!
I sure needed this today, Deb! This past month or so, there were several small thunderstorms, that i thot thru prayer and God’s strength, I stayed pretty grounded! But as the days rolled by, the storms seemed to get bigger and hovered right over me! I have been tired, frustrated and ready to run screaming out of my upside down house as several rooms are under remodel! Along with trying to keep up on everything else. And Kenny’s brother, John, who lives in Nashville had to had brain surgery for fluid on the brain and two small masses. So he had to run there of course. I had to stay behind to manage the workers. So many others I am praying for and scared for also. I was getting up extra early to do my devotions, but had so much on my mind and so much to do, it was hard to stay calm and let myself rest in God’s presence. I am starting off this week feeling a bit more rested and in a better frame of mind, which I am praising God for….and your post this morning encouraged me all the more!! I plan on reading it again and again. Thank you so very much and I pray you have a sweet and storm free week! You are such a blessing to me!
It sounds you have a lot of stressors around you and needs on your prayers list. Thank you for sharing your caring heart with us here. I will be lifting John up in prayer asking God for His healing grace and blessings to cover your whole family. I sure do appreciate you, dear friend! God bless your week.
Kathy,
I am keeping you in my prayers. I understand how you feel. Bless you my friend. I do hope that things will get better and smooth out for you.
God has you in the palm of his loving hands. Much love and hugs to you.
Sue
Thank you, so very much for your prayers and it is such a comfort to hear from you! It has been so busy and crazy and loud during all this remodel, and I am one who thrives on peace and quiet. I am praying for patience! And hearing about John’s surgery took the wind totally out of me! But I know God is with me and He hears our prayers. I hope you are doing better too sweet friend and you are in my prayers too! Love you.
Anxiety and fear are powerful things. This advice and scriptures have been much needed on my end for a long time now. Thank you once again for your wisdom and knowledge. Sometimes one feels so alone in this world.
I’m so glad this helped, Sue. Praise God for His Word and promises to give us peace and strength when we need it most. God bless you!
This is powerful, Deb. Thank you for your commitment to point us to God’s Word and lead us in Truth. I appreciate you so much!
Thank you so much, Stacey! I thank the Lord for you and your friendship. God bless you, dear friend!
This really hit home with me and I crossed that fear yesterday with God’s peace, strength, and courage. I have been holding in my heart for years the fear of speaking one of my siblings of how he has hurt me by his ways of communicating with me. I let it all out yesterday and said all that I have been dealing with and feel so much better. I know God spoke for me and gave me the courage to do it. He is always by my sight guiding me to do his will so long as I seek, trust and believe in him. Thank Lord for your love, grace, and mercy to face my fears knowing you are always at my sight.
Thank you Deb and for all of your beautiful prayers and words of encouragement God gives you to help us.
Ana, I am so glad to hear of the way the Lord gave you both the strength and the words to talk to your sibling. I’m praying that it will be received with grace and be the beginning of a better relationship for you both. He is with us and faithfully provides what we need within His will. Thanks for always encouraging us with your statements of faith. Blessings!
This is a reassuring message reminding me of God’s promises.
Many thanks
I’m so glad it blessed you, Tunji. God bless you!