Fearing Less: 3 Steps to Beating Your Worry

Jerusha: I’m excited to introduce you to Christen Krumm, one of those amazing people who seems to be able to do everything at once and very well! One of those things she does well is write, and she’s offering a free print copy of her YA romance, It Happened at Christmas, to one of you. Leave a comment below for your chance to win!

By Christen Krumm

I have never really been a fearful person.

No, it’s true. I don’t worry about things. I once took a spiritual gifts test and trust (or maybe it was faith) came way out on top — which I felt explained a lot about me. Sometimes I just don’t think I worry enough! Ha!

Eleven years ago, when my husband joined the local police force, one question I was asked over and over (and over) again by non-police families was “but are you afraid that you’ll get ‘the call.’”

The call they so fervently asked about was a call that something devastating had happened or my husband got hurt on the job. I’m pretty sure they were taken aback when I answered with, “Not really.”

I’m not naive enough to think that because I have faith nothing is going to happen (especially in these really tumultuous times).

I don’t have to worry because I know who holds the future — my husband’s and mine.

I know that whatever happens, God’s got my back.

This doesn’t mean that I never worry about things, and I have a fearless life. After all fear is a very human trait, and just like any sin, we have to battle against fear.

There are still those times that I wake up from a dead sleep, gripped in fear, when my husband’s on night shift.

There are still times that I worry about one aspect or another pertaining to my kids and parenting (are they going to turn out okay? Am I doing a good enough job? — you know normal stuff).

It’s time like these that I have to remember three simple things.

1. Breathe

Take a minute to breathe. Remind yourself who holds you and who holds the future. A lot of times I will go through what ifs and follow them through.

For example: if my husband is hurt, this is what will happen. Keeping in mind the whole time that God’s got this.

2. Remember

There are verses I’ve memorized that I also like to either pray over my husband during times like this (or especially stressful times with whatever is going on at work), or times where I wake up and I need to remind myself who is in control, I will pray extra protection over my family.

For my husband (especially when he’s out on the job), I pray Psalm 91 — focusing heavily on verses 2 – 6.

I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.

– Psalm 91:2-6

For my children, it will depend on what’s on my heart. I love Tricia Goyer’s Facebook Group, Walk it Out Scripture Journey. It isn’t being updated currently, but all the information is still there, and it’s gold.

3. Let Go

After steps one and two, just let it go. Sometimes it takes me a couple times of going over the first two steps (especially that second step, especially during the last couple of weeks).

Give it to the father and leave it there. It is no longer yours (or mine) to stress over. Our Heavenly Father has some big hands and He can deal with whatever worries and stresses we have (or are hanging on to).

Whatever your fear may be, whether big or small, whether you have a spiritual gift of faith or not, we can all do a little reminding ourselves of Who holds the future.

We can lean into the love of our Savior and know that He’s always got our backs.

Do you struggle with worry? How has God helped you battle worry and other kinds of fear? Please share!

Photos by niklas_hamann, William Iven, and Chris Brignola on Unsplash. Original graphics designed by Jerusha Agen.

---

Christen Krumm is the author of the young adult contemporary romance, It Happened at Christmas.

She lives with her real-life superhero husband and three barefoot wildings in small-town Arkansas.

Coffee is the lifeblood, books are everything, and creating stories is her favorite.

Christen would love to have you join in her adventures by subscribing to her newsletter here.

You can also visit Christen at her website and connect with her on Instagram.

---

Christen is giving away one print copy of It Happened at Christmas to one of you! Simply leave a comment below to enter the giveaway! (Giveaway ends July 6, 2020. Winner must have continental U. S. mailing address or digital copy can be awarded to winner outside the U. S.)

It Happened at Christmas

Life at Iverson Preparatory Boarding School isn’t easy when you’re basically the maid. Murphy Cain spends her days cleaning up after her upper class peers in exchange for tuition while dodging their cutting remarks.

All of that changes when she rescues her crush, the popular and hunky Tripp Harrington, after a near-fatal accident and is mistaken as his girlfriend. Murphy finds herself struggling with the choice to reveal the truth or play along.

As Tripp’s girl, his wealthy family will offer Murphy something she’s been craving her whole life—a chance to be one of the “in” crowd. A chance to belong. Without it, she’ll be right back where she started.

It only gets worse as Tripp’s brother Hank enters the picture. He’s handsome, down to earth, and seems to understand Murphy better than anyone else. The only problem? She’s supposed to be dating his brother.

As Christmas break draws to a close, Murphy must decide if telling the truth is worth losing it all or if the risk will bring a greater reward in the end.

In this enchanting YA spin on While You Were Sleeping, Christen Krumm delivers laughter and Christmas sparkle through a swoon-worthy story of first love and belonging.