• Home
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS

for the family

everyday wisdom for everyday families

  • start here
    • Meet Patrick and Ruth
    • Meet the Contributors
    • Statement of Faith
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact Us
    • Videos
  • For Better or For Kids
  • You
    • Following God
    • Ministry
    • Relationships
  • Family
    • Marriage
    • Motherhood
    • Fatherhood
    • Parenting
      • Special Needs
      • Babies
      • Toddlers
      • Teens
    • Discipleship
  • Food
  • Shop

Following God For the Family You

For When You Feel Afraid

“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.” –Psalm 94:19

It’s comforting to me to know that many of the men and women of faith in the Bible wrestled with fear. “Anxiety was great” within them just as it can be in me.

If you are a parent, you know exactly what it means to bring “consolation” to a frightened or anxious child!

The dark.

Doing homework.

Making new friends.

Waking up in the middle of the night disoriented or alone.

 

For When You Feel AfraidSometimes the anxiety is real, and other times, unwarranted. But it can still feel “great” within them, just as it can, in us. And so as a parent, you know exactly what it means to console. Your calming, reassuring, and encouraging words or presence brings joy where there is anxiety.

You teach your children to trust what you say no matter how they feel. Doesn’t God invite us to do the same?

I love the psalmist, who doesn’t hide how he feels, but he surrenders the emotion to something bigger – God’s Word. It is what his Father says that stills the chaos of what he is feeling.

He replaces our anxiety with joy. He quiets our fears with His presence. He whispers to us His words of truth and encourages us with faithful promises.

But most of all, throughout the Scriptures, our Father gently turns our eyes back to His own Son. He helps us to look at the cross, beyond the cross, as if to say, “I didn’t forsake Him; I won’t forsake you. If you are in Him, I am with you.”

Is anxiety great with you today? Do your circumstances feel too big – The future too overwhelming? Has fear robbed your faith, stopping you in your tracks?

Whatever you are facing today, be encouraged that in Christ, God is with you. You have a Father who is good. Whatever feels like it is spinning out of control, know that it is in His hands. Be reminded that He is wise, loving, and faithful! Let your anxious thoughts be turned to joy.

Blessings,

Patrick Schwenk

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)


About Patrick Schwenk

Patrick Schwenk is a father, husband, pastor, and author of The Dig for Kids and The Warrior Weekend. Patrick and his wife Ruth are the founders of For the Family. They met while attending the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL, have been married for sixteen years and currently have four children ages five to thirteen. They love serving in ministry, spending time together as a family, reading, drinking lots of coffee, and resting in God’s grace.

« Happy Father’s Day!
Advice for a new Homeschooling Mom: 33 Things I’ve Learned in 25 years of homeschooling! »

Comments

  1. Melissa R says

    April 13, 2016 at 4:51 pm

    Thank you for this word today! I have had some big anxiety over health issues and needed to hear this. Thank you

    • Patrick says

      April 16, 2016 at 4:34 pm

      Thank you, Melissa!

      PS

  2. Laura Jane says

    April 15, 2016 at 3:26 am

    Thank you so much for this reminder to look to the Cross and remember that God is with us through every anxiety or fear! Beautifully said.

    • Patrick says

      April 16, 2016 at 4:34 pm

      Thank you, Laura!

Hey there! Thanks so much for stopping by our blog. We are absolutely thrilled you are here! We are a crazy church planting couple who loves Jesus, our four kids and loads of coffee! We are giving God the glory every step of the way and love sharing our journey with you.

Read more about us

Subscribe and receive our free guide to help you get through this season of suffering.

POPULAR POSTS

  • No Bake Coconut Snowballs (GF)
  • How to Build a Christian Home
  • Are You Married to a Selfish Spouse?
  • How Your Family Can Pray for VBS this year
  • 10 Little Things to Bring Peace into Your Home

Categories

Search For the Family

Copyright © 2022 For the Family · Design by Bethany Beams