Mackenzie Norman

On a random Thursday night, it finally dawned on me just how many unfinished assignments were looming over my head. It’s like watching a giant wave sweep towards you while you’re standing in the ocean. There’s the moment of dread as you envision the water collapsing over your head only seconds before you’re submerged. It felt like watching my life flash before my eyes, but on a much smaller, more insignificant scale. My GPA flashed before my eyes- I can tell you that much. 

Until that moment, I had done fairly well keeping stress and fear at bay. I thrive under pressure. I do my best work in the shadow of a deadline. In fact, part of my procrastination is really strategic planning to get my work done in the smallest amount of time possible. I knew what I was doing….until I didn’t. For whatever reason, that night found me in a place I had never been before. As I sensed the impending crush of every responsibility I had left incomplete, I also realized just how little control I had over any of it. 

It’s fuzzy, but I remember getting up off the BCM couch I was lying down on, grabbing everything I brought and running out of the building as I felt myself begin to hyperventilate. I got in my car and started to drive, thinking that doing something would calm me down, but it didn’t. As I was driving across campus, I continued to hyperventilate and I could feel myself begin to get lightheaded. I made it to a parking spot. 

I had never experienced anything like this in my entire life, and it scared me more than the bottomless sea of homework waiting to be finished. So I did the only thing I knew to do. I started to pray. 

I’m not sure what I said. It wasn’t anything eloquent. It was probably tinged with desperation as I asked God what was happening to me and where He was at. Why I was feeling this way and why He didn’t stop it. But mostly, it was me begging Him to help me, because I needed Him more than I ever had. 

And in the buzzing chaos of my mind, four words pieced through like a beam of light in total darkness:  

“I am with you.”

They were soft, but they might as well have been a shout because everything hushed at the sound. The fear fled. My breathing returned to normal. The sense of hopelessness evaporated. And it was just me. Sitting in my terribly-parked car in front of the library, not entirely aware of how I got there. 

I don’t claim to be an expert on anxiety, but I have learned some things about what to do with it when it comes. First, never underestimate the power of prayer. Second, cling to the promises of God. Third, recognizing God’s presence is the solution to our fear. We see this all throughout scripture: 

“Fear not, for I am with you and will bless you and multiply your offspring for my servant Abraham’s sake.” Genesis 26:24

“…Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

“Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.” Isaiah 43:5

“Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 1:8

“Do not fear the king of Babylon, of whom you are afraid. Do not fear him, declares the Lord, for I am with you, to save you and to deliver you from his hand.” Jeremiah 42:11

“Fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the Lord, for I am with you.” Jeremiah 46:28

And let’s not forget Joshua 1:9, one of the most well-known passages about fear. God doesn’t just issue this one command not to fear, but begins in verse 5, talking about His presence. 

“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you…” Joshua 1:5-7 

And then comes, 

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 

Even the New Testament displays the connection between fear dissipating and the presence of God. We see in Mark 4, when Jesus commands the waves to still and the disciples watch in wonder as the wind and waves obey- they turn from fearing their surroundings to fearing God. From living in fear to worshipping in awe. 

And since 1 John is true in saying that “God is love” and then later that “perfect love casts out all fear,” we know that when we stand in God’s presence, when we recognize who He is and that He is there, our fear is unable to remain. When we see our situation more than we see God, we’re inclined to forget who He really is. How powerful He really is. What He is actually capable of! But the moment we turn our eyes to Jesus and choose to believe that His rod and staff do comfort us even in the valley of the shadow of death (Psalm 23), all fear is gone. 

Did you know that the Bible commands us not to fear 365 times? That’s once per day. God knows how easy it is for us to fear. And thank the Lord, He gives us grace enough for every day, grace enough for every worry. But stop dragging it with you. 

1 Peter 5:17 says “cast all your cares on Him because He cares for you.” 

When you bring it to Him, leave it with Him. He’s whispering even now. “I am with you.” What are you waiting for? Let go of your fear.