The middle of the night is not a good time to check symptoms on the internet. Having felt a bit of chest pain, my thoughts immediately went to the worse case scenario. To confirm my fears, I went straight to my computer.
It was true.
According to Dr. Google, my fears had been correct. I only had hours to live. I then spent the next hour pacing the floor, praying for a miracle– ‘God, please don’t let me die. I still don’t have a boyfriend.’
After what seemed like hours, I released my anguish and finally settled with a more humbling prayer, ‘God, if this is my time to die, I will gladly surrender to your will.’
Now just to conclude this highly dramatised moment in my life, I was perfectly fine to begin with–I realised I should have listened to my doctor when he said “Never check your symptoms on google.”
All dramatics aside, life always has its scares, but sometimes we miss the right instructions when we are told. Whether we want to or not we often create a great panic around us for the sake of nothing and then instead of listening, we make matters worse.
Shut down
It is hard to control when that happens, and we end up becoming a worrisome wreck just trying to fix it on our own. But then again, we were never supposed to control or try to fix anything in the first place. That is God’s job.
When panic sets in, the body goes into a protective state, whether we feel it or not. There are times in our lives when we tend to lose control, and in a state of panic, we shut down. This option, of course, does not make things any better. It increases the panic and frustration, and can eventually turn into fear.
Hope within fear
I recently just got home from being at the Youth Alive Conference in Brisbane. It was incredible! Watching hundreds of young people praising God’s name and seeing movement within the younger generations was astounding.
The passion, excitement, enthusiasm and determination this conference held within the grinning faces of these young people filled me with hope for the future. Our world has developed a lot of problems over time. Some of which make us worry for the future, especially for our young people.
However, despite the turmoil of the world, in complete confidence I can tell you this; by watching the younger generations in that conference rise up, declaring God’s name above all and allowing the spark of the wild one be ignited within their souls–the future is looking brighter.
There is hope.
As a youth leader, I witnessed kids in my own youth group rise up and answer the call God has for their lives, not only with excitement, but with a hunger for Him. Nothing can stop these kids, let alone, take them away from what they have with God. And having peace in the thought of hope for the future, takes the worries we have away.
Peace
I often hear a lot about how to be peaceful in times of trial, and even in happiness we can find peace. We often get so caught up in the panic of our lives that we forget to be peaceful. But what does it mean to be peaceful?
Think of a time when you were at a train station or a loud truck drove past you. For a short moment there is a loud noise and you cannot hear anything. Your ears are overcome with loud machinery, but once it passes, your body releases into the silence. This is how it feels to give our fears and the things that make us panic over to God.
By going through that state of panic or fear, our body cannot control or contain the ‘noise’ of the moment. But that is just it. It is a moment, unless we choose not to give it to God and allow Him to set peace in our hearts.
The bible says in John chapter 16 verse 33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” When I am overwhelmed with panic and fear, I look to God and ask Him for peace within my situation and to help guide me.
Colossians chapter 3 verse 15 says, ‘Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.’ God wants us to be peaceful in Him. He wants us to call out to Him when we are facing trials. He also wants us to be able to put our faith and trust in Him and to be thankful.
I love knowing that no matter what I go through, God has my back. And even before I pray to Him, He knows what I need. So the next time I feel like going to Dr. Google for help, I am going to ask God to help me.
That is true peace–in knowing that He is always there, willing and able.
‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.’ (Ephesians chapter 3 verses 20-21).
Cartia Moore is a connoisseur of fine chocolate and a sword fighter, trained and skilled in the art of fencing. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Screen & Media Studies, and minoring in Drama and Creative Writing. Her focus is film, television and swordfighting sequences.
Cartia Moore is a sword fighter, trained and skilled in the art of fencing. She has recently graduated from her Bachelor of Arts degree and has completed an Honours in Screen & Media Studies. She is now going on to do a Master of Teaching (Secondary), focusing in the teaching areas of English and Film studies. She is passionate and driven to inspire and encourage others to seek and find their worth and value in Him.
Cartia Moore’s previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/cartia-moore.html
