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perfect love drives out all fear

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Posted 8/26/2013 11:21 PM (GMT 0)
I read that in the bible today. Does that mean that I am at fault for fearing? I am Christian in my beliefs. I know this is probably sticking my neck on the chopping block, but does anyone really know what this means? 1st John 4:18, king james version....it says fear has to do with punishment. I can only wonder what I have done to deserve fear..isn't fear anxiety? How have I not been loving?? I have anxiety a lot. My family causes a lot of stress. I wonder if the anger I store up because of how they affect me causes my anxiety. I am Christian in my beliefs, but I wish the bible had a more detailed description of what I can do to get rid of the fear. I think there's a lot more to this anxiety/ fear than meets the eye. Anyone on this forum with Christian beliefs who might shed light for me on this?
Posted 8/27/2013 12:55 AM (GMT 0)
Carol, I'm a Christian too and I think it means that God can drive out all fear. He is perfect love.

The scripture I use all the time is in 2nd Timothy. I have it in my signature...."God does not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind." This scripture helped me pretty much get rid of my anxiety. I suffered badly from it and was on medication until I heard a sermon on fear that revolved around this scripture and it really struck home with me. Once I recognized it was fear and I really didn't have anything to be afraid of, I could recognize it for what it was and dismiss it. I would start focusing on something else instead of the anxiety symptoms and those symptoms would leave. It took a lot of practice but I rarely am bothered by anxiety now. And, when it rears its ugly head, I can now kick it to the curb.

If you have more questions, just email me and I'll be happy to talk to you. I hope this helps you some.

Sherrine
Posted 8/27/2013 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much Sherrine. I know that people helping each other here on this forum shows love and that kindness really helps with this fear. I struggle with it, but when I'm happy I'm not anxious and I feel my unhappiness has been mainly my suffering along with the unemployed depressed members of my family.... that has drug me down. I keep paying that God will help us and I keep trying my best. Life I full of hard times and we are here to support and help each other. It's hard though when struggling with depression to feel loving...I appreciate your help.
Posted 8/27/2013 2:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Carol, This was written to put away false doctrine by some false teachers, they had denied that Jesus
was the Christ or that He had died for their sins. The false teachers were gone from the area but the
people were very scared that Christ had not really come. John was giving examples to the people so
they could be confident in the Risen Lord. Not about your anxiety wrong fear, it was the doubt and fear
that Christ had not come! Peace

Larry ***
Posted 8/27/2013 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
Carol, we all have problems in life. Depression definitely is not fun. I went through that when my husband died suddenly so I know the pain of that, too. But, even though I have quite a few problems, I don't focus on them. I look at all the positive things in my life and that makes me thankful for what I DO have.

Obviously I'm a positive thinker and my faith has helped me immensely with that. At one point my husband was unemployed and he did suffer from clinical depression most of his life. It is difficult but remember that God is with you at all times and that helps, too.

Lastly, you didn't do anything to "deserve" this. This is life. I don't think anyone gets through it unscathed. I've had my share of problems and there most likely are more problems on the way. The key is how I will handle the problems when they arise. I can freak out, get so upset, etc. or I can face them head on and chip away at them until I have them under control. Even though I have problems, I'm so blessed and I do thank God for that.

Sherrine
Posted 8/27/2013 3:26 AM (GMT 0)
Carol,

Anxiety is a physical and mental issue. It is a disorder, the same as any medical issue.

Would you say that someone of faith who had, say for example, diabetes has this because they are lacking enough pure faith, or that they are being punished? Of course not! So you see there is no difference.

Looking at it from a Christian perspective, people suffer infirmaties of the body and/or mind, because we live in a fallen world...as a result of free will. Nothing more.

I hope that this gives you some peace. Keep up your faith, and we will keep you in our prayers as well.:)

S.C.
Posted 8/27/2013 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your replies, each and every one!

 I find comfort in this forum.

I will keep praying and reading and visiting here often, as it is a great help to me.

My anxiety comes and goes. I have felt overwhelmed lately.

I am closing in on 60 and thinking maybe I need hormone replacement? I know women's hormones or lack of contribute to anxiety and depression,. I am wondering if any other women live without hormone therapy?

Carol

Posted 8/27/2013 4:16 PM (GMT 0)
I think that the trend has gone both ways...HRT...no HRT...there are benefits and drawbacks either way.

I would talk to your OBGYN, and get some help in making the most informed decision for you.

Keep posting!

S.C.
Posted 8/27/2013 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
Carol,

I have been literally worried sick about so many things, including my past, my present,  my future, my finances, what people thought about me. And because I couldn't get my mind off of my problems, I found myself in a place of utter torment.

 

Each morning I read The Daily Word and somehow the reading often strikes a chord in me that is exactly what I need. This morning I was having mini-panic attacks until I finally remembered I can ask my God to take on my problems today as I need help. 

I know I  do not have to fear that God doesn't love me or that He won't come through for me in my time of need.  I have learned to accept the reality of His love for me, so that my fears do not control me.

First John 4:18 says that perfect love casts out fear. If you're afraid of facing a person or a situation in your life, God's love can help you put your fears to rest.

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Posted 8/27/2013 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much Kitt. I feel like you, and I read inspirational things all the time..My worst problem is lack of daily social support from friends. I live in a village near Canada, an agricultural ranching community sand the attitude is "buck up and deal with it " even amongst the physicians. I actually got scolded by a 54 yr old woman Dr when I came in on Saturday walk in day...She had 4 people ahead of me and I felt so humiliated and lost. My friends are busy and my husband tries but he's also a tough rancher. She told me my fatigue was probably because I'm getting older....offered me Zoloft.

SC, I agree on hormone therapy, but I'm wondering if I'm too old to start it, (57, almost 58)

I appreciate the support here so much.

The town I live in has no groups other than the senior center, and our population is 1,000. It's just isolation that gets to me the most. When my kids were my world I had them, now they're gone and leaving the nest and in feel so lost. Never worked much outside the home, am sick so much and tired and lack energy to go to work. In just feel exhausted and hopeless sometimes, and I do try to think positive, mg therapist thinks I'm ok....She didn't suggest any drugs....we just talk. My brother says this is a life transition, kids leaving home, retirement, so I hope I adjust.
Posted 8/27/2013 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
Carol,

I am sorry the Dr. was inappropriate with you and not supportive of your concerns.  To  offer you a antidepressant without further support is not going to cure how you are feeling.

What is perhaps most interesting about anxiety is that even if your anxiety is caused by a change in hormones, it rarely requires hormonal therapy. 

What is perhaps most interesting about anxiety is that even if your anxiety is caused by a change in hormones, it rarely requires any hormonal therapy. I am not a Dr. so in your case I am not saying  you do or do not need hormone therapy replacement. How far to the nearest town that would have an OB/GYN physician? Are you to old, I do not believe so.

Empty nest syndrome isn't a clinical diagnosis. Instead, empty nest syndrome is a phenomenon in which a parent  experiences feelings of sadness and loss when the last child leaves home.

Although you might actively encourage your children to become independent, the experience of letting go can be painful. You might find it difficult to suddenly have no children at home who need your care. You might miss being a part of your children's daily lives — as well as the constant companionship. You might also worry intensely about your children's safety and whether they'll be able to take care of themselves on their own. You might struggle with the transition if your last child leaves the nest a little earlier or later than you expected — or at a time different from when you did. If you have only one child or strongly identify with your role as parent, you might have a particularly difficult time adjusting to an empty nest.

I had difficulty with the empty nest syndrome.   If you think this may be your problem, know you are in good company, lean on loved ones and other close contacts for support. Share your feelings.

If you feel anxious or  depressed, consider psychotherapy or check out our Resources at the top of the page to learn ways to deal with your feelings.  CBT is very popular and many people learn how to manage their feelings using CBT.  Here is a link to an online, free CBT program.

Free on-line CBT programs:

http://www.moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

http://ecouch.anu.edu.au/welcome

Coming here and talking with us is a good way to let your feelings out and find support.  I look forward to getting to know you better.

I will leave you with this:

"I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears." (Psalm 34:4)

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 8/27/2013 7:13 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry to hear about your struggles.  I do believe sometimes in our weaknesses and ailments, God uses our weaknesses to glorify his strenght. Paul for example, a great crusader of the New Testament had his own ailment which God would not relieve him of!  I am sure Paul's faith had nothing to do with this thorn in his side.

2 Corinthians 12 vs7-10

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Posted 8/27/2013 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you so much Kitt and panoramic, it is so helpful.

We have a new ob/gyn coming to town in November and I certainly plan to see her!

Thank you again for all your help. My arms get sore typing, or I would say more.


: )

Carol
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