Worry. Fear. Anxiety. Ugh! The feeling when they begin to creep in – I hate it! The knot in my stomach. The way my heart races and my breathing becomes shallow. The inability to direct my thoughts towards something else – anything else!
You know what I’ve noticed? The more these feelings pile on top of me, the more I retreat into silence. I get alone with my feelings. And they’re not great company.
What I’ve started doing instead—and it can be harder than it sounds—is I speak my fears out loud. I uncover them. I force them out of darkness and shadow, into the light.
As I uncover my fears, I see they often relate to scarcity.
I am not enough. I don’t have enough. I don’t know enough.
This is where you might think I’m going to tell myself that these statements are lies. Lies I’ve bought and believed. Lies that hold me back. But I won’t say that, because every one of those statements is true. Every one.
My fears related to scarcity are real, so they spawn new fears wrapped up in how I’ll solve my problem of scarcity.
I am in this alone. The only way out is if I find a way or I make a way.
What about these statements? Are they as true as the ones about scarcity?
Only if I choose to remain alone. On my own, I am not enough—there’s a long list of ways I could prove that point if pressed. I don’t have enough—my resources are pretty depleted. I don’t know enough—I sometimes call my kids by my dog’s name. Enough said.
But, in the most amazing truth that my limited brain will forever be trying to comprehend, the God of the universe who has limitless resources because He can make anything and everything out of nothing, I am not alone. God sees the affliction of His people. He hears their cries. He knows their sufferings. And He has come down to deliver them. (Exodus 3:7-8)
She will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call His name “Immanuel” (which means, God with us.)
Matthew 1:21-23
God answered my problem of scarcity with the abundant love and saving intervention of His Son.
In Jesus Christ:
I have never been alone.
I will never be alone.
There is a way out and it has already been made for me.
If this is my God, and He is near, why am I worried?
The Lord is near. 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. Philippians 4:5b-7
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:6-7
And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you. Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:29-32
A Space for Grace 