How Can I Stay In God’s Peace When Something Bad Has Happened Before?

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Have you ever had something bad happen to you, and then you’re afraid to try that same thing again? In today’s YouTube video and episode of the Christian Habits Podcast I answer a reader’s question, “How can I stay in God’s peace when something bad has happened before?”

She also shared this in her email:

I love God with all my heart. His word and his spirit bless me daily. I do struggle over eating and one more thing that is so embarrassing. I get panic attacks. Nobody knows about them except my mom, dad and husband. I haven’t even told my brothers. I try hiding it as best I can. But lately I feel the Lord is telling me to share. I noticed on your email you said that we could write to you about something to talk about. Is there any way you can talk about panic attacks. With all my heart I wanna beat it and fight the enemy. I can’t live the rest of my life like this. My kids deserve better.

And then later in the email she asked the question that is the title of this podcast and YouTube video.

Watch on YouTube

Resources Mentioned: My New Fear Questions

1. What are you afraid will happen? Be specific.
2. Why are you worried about that? What is the further outcome you fear?
3. How likely are your fears from Q 1 and 2 to happen? Explain (Use a 1-10 scale if you think that’d be helpful.)
4. What is the best thing that could happen in the midst of the things you can’t change in this situation?
5. How would it change your emotions and actions if you were to dwell on the best thing that could happen (q4) rather than the worst things that could happen? (q1 and 2)
6. What can’t you control and what can you control?
7. Is there anything you can do to prevent your worry from taking place? If so, do you think God wants you to do that? Explain.
8. Is there anything you need to accept?
9. Since you can’t guarantee that your worry won’t come true, what would be the next best option for both the best life and the best outcome for this situation? If you choose option 6, take the time to do that before you move onto the next question.
   1. Keep worrying and dwell on worst case scenario so that you experience the emotional pain of something that has not happened yet and may never happen.
   2. Squelch your worries by engaging in an addictive habit that makes you forget them.
   3. Keep trying to find a perfect solution for a situation that has no perfect solution.
   4. Talk about your worries often so you make life unenjoyable for the people around you and/or the person you’re worried about. (Note: Sometimes it’s good to talk about your worries. In this option I’m talking about constantly expressing worries in a way that is annoying to others.)
   5. Blame God, others, or yourself for this situation, and let your worry drift into condemnation, anger, and separation.
   6. Go to God every time this worry comes up and pray with thanksgiving. Fight hard to trust Him, accept whatever He allows, and worship Him regardless of the outcome. Also ask Him if there is any action He wants you to take, then do it if the answer is yes.
10. What do you think God wants you to learn from this situation?
11. What do you think God wants to do in the lives of the ones you love through this situation if your worry concerns them?
12. What can you thank God for in this situation?

There are a lot of questions there, so just use the ones that are helpful to you!

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