Expert: Pastor Don Carpenter - 6/8/2010

Question
Hello Pastor, how are you? My name is Laura and I am 25 years old. I need help. For over 15 years I have suffered from extreme anxiety, fear, and occasional depression. I have a happy, good life and people who love me, but I cannot stop my fright from controlling my life. I cry every day and work myself into such fits of worry that it seems like my heart will explode. This shouldn't be happening. I love God and I know He loves me, but I don't know how to ask Him for peace. I pray every day but I don't know what else to do. I have tried doctors, medicines, even checked myself into a psychiatric unit, but my condition always returns with a vengeance to strike terrible fear in me and make me sad. I have an amazing family, friends, and wonderful soon-to-be-husband. Why then does everything scare me so bad? Bible quotes seriously lift me, maybe you have the right one to give my heart some peace. I feel like I am wronging God by being so sad and afraid despite all His blessings, but I cannot change it. If you were to offer me some peaceful words I would be deeply grateful....thank you so much.

Answer
Hi Laura,

Thank you for this great question.  I am sorry for your sorrow.  I am sure that you have probably heard all the verses before.  I just preached a message that may help you.  Unfortunately I did not type it out so I will give you some of the main ideas.

John 14:1-3,25-27


Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

The King James Version, (Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

Jesus tells His disciples not to let their hearts be troubled.  In other words, we can with God's help, restrain our hearts from feeling troubled.  The word troubled means the absence of calm.  We are told that we can use the weapons of Bible reading, prayer, and fellowship to control our thoughts.

2 Corinthians 10:4-5
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;#  5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  
The King James Version, #Cambridge: Cambridge# 1769.

Jesus tells us that we can keep our heart from being troubled by believing His promises.  In the above verses we have the following promises:

1.  I go to prepare a place for you.  Jesus says that their are already many mansions, but He is preparing a special place for each one of us.  He is looking forward to YOU being with Him some day.  He loves you that much.

2.  I send the Comforter.  Jesus in His love is sending the Holy Spirit to every believer and that Holy Spirit will never leave!  He loves you that much.

John 14:16
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
The King James Version, #Cambridge: Cambridge) 1769.

3.  I give you my peace  Jesus is not just giving us peace like we find anywhere else, distraction from our problems, but an everlasting change.

I believe that you may do well to memorize John 14 and recite it when waves of panic and dispair attack you.  I hope that this helps you.

In Christ
Pastor Don