I got an email with that as the subject line. Now, that will get your attention, won’t it?
It was from a woman whom I will call Veronica. She says she is a chronic worrier and has panic attacks. She reads her Bible and prays, but speaks really damaging self-talk to herself.
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She needed some encouraging advice…
So, I spilled the beans on how to turn worry in to peace through prayer.
Several years ago I spoke at a church in Knoxville, Tennessee where I met an 8-year-old little girl named Bailey.
Bailey was born blind, but she had no idea boundaries existed! When I first met her, she fluttered about me like a butterfly with fresh new wings. She giggled and chattered with the most expressive lilt to her sweet voice! She was a delight.
When I discovered she loved to sing, I invited her to join me on stage.
When she got up on stage, she held the microphone like a pro… and totally upstaged me! Before she began her song, she made an unexpected announcement to the audience…
Dear Jennifer,
I have a friend who calls me in the evenings and talks ’til about 11:30 PM each night. She is a worrier and I keep telling her it is wrong to worry about everything. When I have a problem, I just talk to God about it and then place it in His hands and let Him take care of it. I tell her this but she cannot do this. What can I do to help her understand?
Barbara
Jennifer’s Answer
Dear Jennifer,
What can I do to reinforce God’s Word? I started your Bible study Fingerprints of God. I will do the homework and share in the study group, only to walk out of class and not be able to recall it. I bought your book yesterday, Self Talk, Soul Talk, and I read in it exactly what happens to me–the enemy of my mind robs the seed that was sown, and then I begin to believe the word of how I will never be able to retain it. I have beaten myself up many times over this same issue. My heart’s desire is to live out what God’s Word teaches. I clean out the closet only to realize the junk has overtaken the Word. Help! I’m feeling defeated.
Janice
Dear Jennifer,
I am facilitating a small group of 4 other women through the MM&L study. It is FANTASTIC! Thank you for the work you did to put it together. We are all benefiting so much from all there is to learn.
We all were confused by your statement that “feelings are supposed to serve and strengthen us.” What do you mean by that? We get how the good emotions can strengthen us, but we really didn’t understand how our feelings are supposed to serve us.
Sincerely, Jenn
Jennifer’s Answer
