Fear Drove Me to My Knees, Literally

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.

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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.

Vibrant Color From Autumn Quotes

With it raining outside and my mug filled with hot tea, my cozy sweatshirt and cheerful study keep me comfortable with my thoughts. Right out my window, the vibrant red of our pear tree reminds me that God’s Artistic Handiwork deserves our attention.

For some reason, Fall 2022 has fostered a more satisfying experience than usual. When two of my granddaughters came to visit, we spent the greater part of a day at Blooms and Berries, a local pumpkin farm, and had a blast. (They made it through the corn maze in a record time of 6 minutes, and twenty seconds!) Then, our beloved group of Women Who Survived the Cold War met for a reunion in North Carolina, and, along with our fellowship, the breathtaking color of the leaves nourished our souls.

 So, before our calendars rush us headlong into the upcoming holiday surge, join me in taking a pause to consider these quotes which add still more color to the season which is sandwiched in between summer and winter: AUTUMN.

 Vibrant Color From Autumn Quotes

“Autumn is God’s way of showing how beautiful change can be.” Anonymous

. . . Autumn—that season which has drawn from every poet worthy of being read some attempt at description, or some lines of feeling.” Jane Austin, Persuasion

“Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.” Jim Bish

“October’s poplars are flaming torches, lighting the way to winter.” Nova Blair

 “Every tree speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.” Emily Brontë

 “Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.” William Cullen Bryant

 “Fall has always been my favorite season, the time when everything bursts with its last beauty, as if nature had been saving up all year for the grand finale.” Lauren DeStefano

“Besides the autumn poets sing, a few prosaic days; A little this side of the snow, and that side of the haze.” Emily Dickinson

“Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.” Infinite Waters

 “Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn.” Elizabeth Lawrence

 “Autumn is really the best of the seasons, and I’m not sure that old age isn’t the best part of life.” C. S. Lewis

“I loved autumn, the one season of the year that God seemed to have put there just for the beauty of it.” Lee Maynard

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“He has also set eternity in the heart of man.”

(Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Which season of life do you consider to be in?

What advice would you give one in a younger season?

What would you ask someone who is in an older season?

Of all the quotes offered, which most resonates with you? Why?

Greetings from a recent golden autumn setting! Please know that through all the seasons God gives us, I appreciate you and your participation here at Living With Eternal Intentionality®. May we move forward together in pursuing intimacy with Jesus, authenticity with others, a passion for our calling, and a purpose for our influence.

-Photo credit Beck

Are You Living in Vain?

My own personal mission statement, Living With Eternal Intentionality®, motivates every corpuscle in my being. Since God first etched this clarion call on my heart, this theme orders my thinking, my planning—my very life. So, when a gifted teacher elaborates on the topic so precious to me, I listen. Will you join me in considering what life truly means for a Follower of Jesus?

From Paul David Tripp in New Morning Mercies, 5 eternity-driven realities emerge. He says,

1. We declare that we believe in forever, yet we live as if this is all there is.

2. This contradiction between our belief system and our daily living cannot work.

3. You cannot make any sense out of the Christian life without eternity. (1 Corinthians 15)

4. You and I have been hardwired for eternity. In the middle of your sadness, there is celebration because you have read the final chapter.

5. So, you get up every morning and give yourself to doing the things that God says are good, because if grace has put eternity in your future, there’s nothing you could ever do in God’s name that is in vain.

So, for you and me, the challenge becomes connecting the then with the now, doesn’t it? How can we more progressively give our daily selves to the quest of Living With Eternal Intentionality? May God grant us traction as we, His pilgrims, move forward together. What a joy to journey with you. And, No! We are NOT living in vain!

Living With Eternal Intentionality®

“He has also placed eternity in human hearts” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

In quiet moments, do you wonder why you are here on this earth? Have you ever asked yourself:

“Does my life matter?”

“Am I living in vain?”

Take time this next week and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in writing out your own personal mission statement. When you do, I would be honored to read a copy.