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Turn the Light On
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? — Psalm 27:1
“Fear has friends,” I warn women when I address the topic of being afraid. When you emotionally surrender to one fear, you open the door to a myriad of others. I learned that the hard way, through my own experience. And I paid with years of my life. I’d like to offer you a shortcut.
When you are afraid, don’t give in to fear—turn on the light!
- Turn on the light of God’s Word. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
- Turn on the light of faith. And risk taking the next step out of your self-imposed limitations. What do you have to lose? Fear? Go for it.
- Turn on the light of your mind. Believe what you can’t see, which is that God holds you safely in his care no matter where you are and that he is unfolding his plan for your life. You can’t travel outside his presence.
- Turn on the light of friendship. Let others know when you are uneasy and then allow them to stand with you. It will comfort you, strengthen you, and keep you humble. We weren’t meant to go this life alone.
— Patsy Clairmont
I Second That Emotion © 2008 by Patsy Clairmont. Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Used with permission. All rights reserved.
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42 Responses to "Turn the Light On"
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I have been going through the same thing as Liz for about five years now. I am better but still not back to 100%. I also take medication (small amount), pray, and read or listen to God’s word each day which helps greatly but I found out that excercise also helps. I have been working out for about an hour a day for the past few months and really noticed a difference. Thank you all for your posts. It is very encouraging to know that I am not alone in this struggle.
I am normally full of faith and joy. But a few years ago, all of a sudden fear and anxiety entered my entire being. After suffering for a year I went on medication and with much prayer support, God relieved me of my anxiety. However, when my son was sentenced to prison this past spring, the fear returned. This time I knew what to do. I burried myself in the Psalms, went for prayer, and went back on medication. I thought I had the problem licked and was totally healthy for five full months without meds. My son is out of jail now (God has performed many miracles this past year, that being one of them) and things are going well all around. Still, in November, the anxiety returned full force out of the blue. Although I’ve been on medication for a month, have gone for prayer, receive prayer support, I am still a complete mess. Yesterday when I read this, I felt encouraged. Thank you. I continue to pray for God’s healing hand.
Sharon, thank you for this article it came on time when the year is rounding up.There are many things which I have been believing God for and the fear that it might not happen is always there. But I have come to know in the months past that the Lord God will never leave me non forsake me. As I continue to put my trust in Him, I see everything being arranged for me. As I turn the lights of the word fear vanishes. My husband is always speaking faith but before now I will say to myself, he doesn’t understand. Now I come to understand and also speak the word. Thank you again for reminding me that in God I stand what can stand before me .
Thank you for this message its amazing the ways that God speaks to us. I have been struggling to find the person that God has for me and the fear of being alone has been an issue so i thank God for this message. Thank you.
This article couldn’t have come at a better time for me. Isn’t it amazing how God works? My husband is in the process of trying to be listed for a liver transplant because of non-alcoholic cirrhosis and liver cancer. We had good news today. The tumor has been successfully treated but they want him to have a biopsy for another suspicious area of his liver. We are putting our faith in God to be in control of the outcome. It’s difficult and tempting to want to run ahead and get some kind of treatment rather than be patient and not have fear, but we are learning to wait and keep on trusting God’s perfect will. Many people are praying for us. We believe in the power of prayer and God’s ability to do for us what seems impossible to the average human being. Thank you for reminding me not to fear.
For about 13 years I had panic attacks, they could happen anywhere, anytime but happened alot while I was driving. Taking the advice of a pastor that I met by “chance” I started praying and deep breathing at the first sign of one. Sometimes I prayed the Lords prayer, sometimes I praised Him. Sometimes I just prayed. I thank God that I have not had a panic attack in over 12 years! I am a believer and accepted the Lord many years ago, but wasn’t very close to the Lord during the years I first started having the attacks. I had wandered and fallen away, but am back and glad to be back. My Lord is faithful and alive! Never doubt that He loves you and will never stop loving you and will never forsake you. He reached out and healed me when I wasn’t living right. What a mighty God we serve!
I have just found out that my husband has been having an email affair for years. I so needed to be reminded that God is holding me in His care and holding my future too! Thank you for giving me such a timely reminder!!
Thank you Patsy. So many times during anxiety I forget to simply, turn on the light. The light of our God and Savior is always there, I just need to turn it on!!!
The article and comments are so appropriate to what I need right now. My struggle is knowing when to step in and re-direct the path that my teens are taking if I see them making poor choices. I know God is working is their lives, but I have a hard time not worrying and having faith that God is in this with me. Please pray for my family and my children.
Lora, I know how hard it is to watch your kids navigate their way in to adulthood. I will pray for you, that you will be able to let go. God loves your teens more than you do. We’ve raised four children and been through all sorts of terrifying situations. Once the kids got to 21 – 25 range, they grew up and out of their impulsive and foolish behaviour. God has it in control. I still struggle with anxiety, but God has answered many prayers so far.
I love the picture of the lights shining on the darkened road. That’s me walking down that road.
This is a very interesting topic. I would really like to see more written in detail.
Thank you for this message. I have lived the last 12 years bound in fear and am finally ready to climb out of the bondage. I needed to be remined that with God all things are possible and that He has already won the fight for me – therefore, I have nothing to fear! Thank you.
This article talks to me…. We are so fearful for ourselves and then we read that someone is so much worse off than we. I am having some tests done on Dec 30th and have been very anxious and even fearful. I am asking my church family and friends for prayer. And may God lift your fears and help to restore and renew you.
As I turned on my computer and was waiting, I opened my bible to where I was last reading. Where was I, Pshalm 27:1. My e-mail came up
and you were the only message I had so I opened it and saw your message. I can’t help but to respond to what you’ve said, you are so right. And our Father is so faithful in His words as you have said. I am 55 yrs. old and four months ago I was given the oportunity to serve Him in So. Viet Nam but I would be going alone. My test, would I trust in Him and hand him all my fears. Yes I did and He has been a faithful God as He has provided for all my needs and the ministry He has given me has been growing so fast I am praying for help. So please trust in the Lord and hand all your fears over to Him and He will show you just how much He loves you. You won’t regret it!!!!!!!!! I am thankful for every day He gives me to serve Him. The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear?
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After reading other women’s replies my eyes were opened to the fact that I am not alone. I try to speak faith and hope to my life and family but we have been facing heartache for several years now. My final words are always that same, “I will trust God no matter what.” I mean that but, it still hurts. It is comforting to know that I can join a group of believers and wait patiently and God works on my situation. It would take a book to share my situation but I will say that it concerns my immediate and extended families. Thanks for sharing Turning on the light. Have a wonderful 2010. (:-)
Thank you for the message. God is speaking to me once again just when I need it. I need to realy leave my fears behind and turn on God’s light, I know he is waiting for me to flip that switch. And today is the day. Thank you, Thank you.
I have been captive to fear for the past two days.My daughter has made a choice that her dad and I are not sure is a good choice.There are many consequences to her choice and she doesn’t want to see them.We are afraid for her.She is seventeen and still needs guidance and yet we always try to encourage our children and let them make there own choices.This choice has to do with a relationship with a boy.Your message was helpful.I have written it down to continue to read.Friends have been supportive.As anyone does I want the pain to go away.My prayer is for guidance and not to stay stuck and to continue to have an open relationship with my daughter.
I have 2 teenage boys that don’t always want to listen to Mom or Dad. But they have a great deal of respect for whatever my sister tells them. She may tell them the same thing that I have told them – and they listen to her while ignoring my advice. Does your daughter have any friend or another adult whose opinion she respects? Perhaps that person could give your daughter some guidance. Psalm 23 has given me comfort when I felt scared.
Thanks Barb for your reply!Right now she is stuck in being right.Both of my children come to my husband and I with concerns because we have tried to be good listeners.Our son has always been our challenge and I have always had others help him-such as his young life leader.She comes home today from a trip with friends and I am going to give her some space and time because my hurt is too raw.Thanks for the verse.I will read it during my prayer time this morning.I know God will guide her and I am praying for him to protect her and help her to make good choices.Thanks for listening.
Thank you for that important lesson
My back went out on me Dec.5th. I had trouble walking and was in a lot
of pain. Fear gripped me and almost immobilized me. But I prayed
fervently that the Lord would “take over”. I was fortunate enough to see
a DR. before Christmas- when we ask, the Lord answers BUT on his
timetable not ours.
Hopefully, I am getting better and better everyday. But I will never take
the “simple things” like walking and talking for granted. The Lord has helped me to “prioritize” my activites! My husband has been a wonderful
benefit to me, and I praise God for being there with me
Thank you! This is an answer to prayer today. I just surrendered my fear to the Lord in my quiet time and now I am reading this as reassurance that He is in control and trustworthy. “Turning on the light” speaks to me in a deep way, because I have often been afraid of the dark. Even as an adult, I have kept a nightlight on, or other lights, when my husband was away for the military… The light of God’s word reveals all truth to combat the lies I am tempted to believe. The next step is living in today without rolling those thoughts around in my head. Praise God for HIs peace in Christ Jesus!
Thank you for this lesson on fear. I’ve spend many years in fear too. This is so timely as I am studying Chuck Swindoll’s realeasing fear and worry and becoming a woman of worth. Maybe I’ll get it right yet?? Thanks again.
Dear Sharon,
“Seek and you shall find”. Keep going, sometimes the way is long, but God never fails.
In His name.
Oh Sharon, isn’t it awesome to know that even if we don’t get it right, God is right there loving us.
This message came at a very needed time for me. Right before Christmas my husband was diagnosed with kidney failure and he is only 39 years old. All kinds of fear set in my mind and my heart, but these words have reminded me to give my fear to God and to trust in Him. I am the type of person that also thinks I should carry my own burdens and you have reminded me that I belong to the body of Christ and that we carry each others burdens also. With that being said I have contacted my church and have asked them to pray for us. We have 2 children ages 12 and 6 and our church has even offered to help me with them. I guess sometimes we need to be reminded that we belong to a much larger family, our family in Christ. Thank you for this reminder.
My husband has multiple myeloma and diabetes, and was into Stage 4 kidney failure. The oncology nutritionist put him on a very strange and strict diet a year ago and he has avoided dialysis so far. Some people say they would prefer dialysis to the diet (no potatoes, legumes or dark greens, limited dairy products, no more than 3 oz of meat a day, no dark sodas, no added salt, etc.) but he was already receiving chemo two days a week, so we had no choice but to try the diet. He hated it at first but is now used to it. I use the daVita.com web site for tasty recipes, a kidney failure calculator, advice, etc. It also provides recipes for people on dialysis. I am praying for you as the caregiver with young children!
I couldn’t help but respond because there are not too many Deets out there spelled as my maiden name. Are any of your ancesters related to William Deets or Harry Deets in Illinois? My father was Rex Deets and my grandfather was Harry Deets and William was a great grandfather.
Thank you for your prayers. My husband starts dialysis in Jan, he is scared about the whole situation. It can be hard some days keeping us both in good spirits, but I known the Lord will get us through it. We will pray for you and your family.
Hi I just read your post on women of faith regarding your husband. I just wanted to let you know that my 21 year old daughter has had 2 kidney transplants. I don’t know where you live, but Dr.s all over are doing amazing things. I pray for your husbands health, and as a care giver, yours as well. If you have any questions I would be happy to talk with you.
Cindy
Thank you. This is a whole new way of life we have to learn to live. We live in Pa and I have done some research which I am hoping it helps me to help my husband. This has just been all so new for us, but I am praying that our outcome will be good. Talking to others have helped me realize that our lives are not over, just beginning. I will pray for you and your family.
Hi Deanna,
I am almost 49 years old now. I was diagnosed with kidney failure and starting dialysis at 32. My children were then 6 and 8. I have and had a wonderful husband, but I also have and had an amazing church family. After almost 15 years, I received a kidney transplant. God is so good. There was only a 1% chance that I would get a kidney to match. My faith that I would receive one was really low – I admit. But, in God’s time, I received the matching kidney and I am so blessed. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. Hang in there. HE IS ABLE.
Love and Prayers,
Teresa Thompson
How did you talk to your children about this? I am having problems explaining this to our 6 year old. We just adopted her last Dec and I am afraid of what this may do to her. Any advice will be helpful. Praise the Lord, I am happy you received a new kidney. I guess everything comes in Gods timing, which is something I have trouble waiting for sometimes. We will continue to pray for you and your family.
My mom was diaganoised with kidney failure and possibly kidney cancer on Chritmas day. Your post was a breath of the Spirit to me. I will pray for your husband.
I am sorry to hear about your mom. I will pray for her and also for you, cause sometimes I feel its just as hard on those of us that have to watch our families go through illness. May God bless and may you continue to draw on His strength.
Thank you very much for your prayers. This is very hard. We did receive a miricle- my moms kidney did return to fuctioning. Praise God. She goes for her biopsey Monday. I am trying to trust God and not have fear.
Two years ago my husband was very sick for 3 months, saw several different specialists, and finally was diagnosed with 85% kidney failure. He was admitted into the hospital to begin emergency dialysis. Our church and 5 others had been praying for him all along. When he was admitted, I literally had to help him walk into the hospital. When he was settled in a room, our associate pastor came by, chatted for awhile and prayed for him and left. After about 2 hours the lab drew some blood. They had not as much as started an IV yet. The results came back that his kidney was almost perfect, he would never need dialysis, and he was feeling pretty good by then. His blood count was very low so they gave him 2 units of blood and discharged him the next day. He still follows up with the kidney doctor every 4 months. The doctor has no explanation, listens to my husband talk about his healing but makes no comments. We do not hesitate to share the miracle God did in our lives. My husband is now 71 and feels great. Prayer works!
Hi Deanna, your family stretches out farther than you know. I read your comments and I understand your fear. My husband has been very ill and close to death on several occasions. I will be praying and thinking of you and will ask my friends to keep you and your husband in their prayers. Please take care of yourself. Often we forget about our own health (physical and mental) when we are caring for someone we love. You are loved!!!
A few years ago at this time my was husband was waiting for a kidney transplant when our children were 2 & 9. When you have a need there is no better place to turn for help than your church family, this is a time to ask for prayers, not a time to attempt to handle it on your own. The power of prayer is so amazing! We put my husband on the prayer chain at our church and at others that friends & family attended. Within weeks we had several people come forward to be tested, and were blessed to receive a kidney on 2/11/04 from a friend at our church. We were also very blessed to receive meals, help with our children, visits, cards, and much needed emotional support for both my husband and myself through the months of waiting. What blessings you will receive if you are able to share you needs with others! I pray that God will guide you through this difficult time…
very timely message for me today. This was God that i read this today
thank you
denise thomas
interesting post!I like it!Nice!
I like the idea of the article, very wise