Guest Post by Hannah Picard
Recently, it became obvious that anxiety held a vicious grip on me. When I shared this with my husband Jonny, he encouraged me to make a list in my journal so that we could discuss my anxiety-driven entries and prayerfully seek God’s help. Some of my thoughts connected to actual situations in which I needed to surrender to the Lord, and some connected to worry, unbelief, pride, and control. But in order to move forward, I sensed an urgent need to do more.
When Jonny recommended I reach out to a personal friend who is a mental health counselor by profession, I made the appointment. In the brief period of time, she and I had to connect, her wise counsel led to a life-changing breakthrough.
“While this might sound weird to some, and unnecessary to others, my anxious heart immediately resonated with her suggestion.
”
She encouraged me to get down on my knees and ask the Lord to come to my rescue—to help me and to lift the physical anxiety and fear. While this might sound weird to some, and unnecessary to others, my anxious heart immediately resonated with her suggestion.
So, I got off the phone, moved our coffee table aside, and bowed on my floor before God. I asked Him to intervene, to free me from this anxiety, and to open the way for me to walk in freedom. And He did! Almost immediately, I sensed the anxiety lifting as God heard my heartfelt prayer and brought a miraculous breakthrough.
Since that day I have been on a journey of growth involving God, His Word, and His Spirit. While there are still times when I feel afraid and anxious, I am no longer bound by the spirit of fear and anxiety that held me prisoner. And, I no longer carry that physical weight on my chest. My heart and mind are clear. I praise God for His work in my life, for I know firsthand that He truly is our GREAT healer!
While you and I live in anxiety-driven days, I believe our powerful God wants to step in, touch our lives and give us His peace. With the psalmist, I say, “I will praise you, LORD, with all my heart; before the “gods” I will sing your praise. I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness, for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame” (Psalm 138:1-2).
Living With Eternal Intentionality®
“He has also set eternity in the human heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).
“I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7).
In what ways can you identify with Hannah’s battle with fear?
How has God intervened in your journey to set you free?
Hannah Picard leads the ministry Made to Praise which helps women call attention to the greatness of God in practical ways.
As she says, “In April 2007, I was going through some major life shifts and was having my own “pity party” when the Holy Spirit impressed upon me to turn my pity into praise - “calling attention to His greatness” instead of giving the enemy, satan, a foothold in my life. So, I did! I threw my first “Praise Party” in April 2007.
My spirit of pity was changed to a spirit of praise as God began to teach me a discipline of “praise rhythms” to add to my life. My life was transformed. It didn’t mean my all circumstances were different, though some prayers were answered :), but for sure my perspective of the circumstances changed.
She and Jonny live in Ohio and are parents to Asher, their miracle baby.
