Why do I struggle with fear and anger as a Christian? with Hope Darst

As followers of Christ, it can be pretty easy to cling to a lie that if we follow Jesus all of our problems go away. No more fear. No more insecurity or anger. But soon we realize that it's not true. Hope Darst talks about how she found this to be the case in her own life and how anger and fear became so crippling that these emotions almost landed her in the hospital.

The gift of salvation comes when we accept Jesus as Lord. We are saved. But until you release control of your own life and say "Lord you are in charge of my life," you may never experience the true freedom that Jesus can bring.

[jillpruett]

I need this. Pray for me. 56 years old, broken believer. I'm so tired.

[VRP-Art]

Please pray for me. I need freedom from my anger and loneliness.

[bigsterms]

I definitely feel this way. I feel numb. And all my thoughts throughout the day are always negative. I just want to be free and happy again. Only thru Jesus can it be done. Amen.

[marcellakramer]

Thank God for the Christian community. We are here for each other. We are not alone.

[saraquintanilla-hopkins]

I lived what she described, still am. But it's because of the Lord that I am still here. His grace and strength have carried me through the hardest part of my life. I am living because of Him.

[samhamblin]

I really felt this. I had a similar experience in the past, but in my case I had chosen to walk away from Him years before, after losing my aunt Mary (who was like a second mom to me) in 2009 to a drunk driver. She was only 41. She had just had her first grandbaby 4 months before, her other daughter was 4 months along. She was the designated driver that night, after she and a group of friends went to a "Time Warp Prom, " and had already safely dropped everyone off and was on her way home when it happened. I couldn't fathom how He could take Mary, this beautiful soul so full of life and new beginnings, and have THAT be her story. I was so furious at Him before it even occurred to me to direct my anger at the repeated offender behind the wheel that night. Years went by and I went down a deep, worldly rabbit hole, getting mixed up in drugs and all sorts of things that would never heal or fill the spot in my heart that is only ever designated for Him. I finally remember "caving" one night, about 10 years ago, because I was at rock bottom and still trying to scrape lower, and finally decided to pray. I saw so clearly in my head all these dark figures that represent the struggles, grief, etc., which had accumulated since Aunt Mary died, but also things I struggled with prior to that. All the battles in this life. And behind it all I could see that there was light shining through, but had no idea how to reach it. I started explaining to Him what was going on and "Alright, I see that You're back there, cos I can see that light, but how am I supposed to get through all of THAT to get to You?" He said two words that continue to heal and strengthen my life to this day. "Look Up." When I did, He showed me that the light I was seeing was just from His feet, and how much bigger He is than EVERYTHING we face in this life (not making light of what people go through, not by any means, but I do know Jesus is bigger than anything we can face in this lifetime) - how the biggest battles in our life are just ants at His feet. That we were never meant to try and get through it on our own to reach Him, and we won't if we are focused solely on the hurt, and not on Him. That turned my life around. I wish I could say that by morning I was completely better - my spirit was, but I had been steeping in the world for a long time and we have to get out of His way and allow Him to clean us up along the way. It's a lifelong process, but appreciate His patience with you while he whittles the world off of you, sculpting you into what He has called you to be. And allow patience for yourself through it as well. Just lean into Him and He will get you through. Always. 💖 He also used Mare's passing to show me a different angle of grief. It's so easy to place the blame on Him, but the truth is we live in a fallen world and the driver used his free will, knowing it was the wrong choice, and opted to drive anyway, knowing the risks. (According to the letter he wrote us, he has since gotten saved, thank God. God uses ALL things for good!) God taught me that He never "takes" people from us. None of us belong to one another, we are only ever His, on loan to each other while we journey through this life. Instead of focusing solely on the loss, or directing your anger at God, allow yourself to stop and think "Of all of the people who have ever existed, in the history of EVER, He chose that I would be blessed enough to have that person in my life." Don't look at the loss of them (especially cos we know that, as His children, this world is not the end), but at the blessings He gave by bringing them into our lives in the first place. Grieving will still take place, obviously, but it also allows thankfulness to flow to Him, even through the bad. (Sorry for the novella! But He put it on my heart to share this, so I pray it helps someone.) God bless. Find the Joy!

[perismureithi]

Pray for me I am NOT free but am saved

[MaryR]

I feel like I have done this many times asking God but nothing ever changes 😞 so i feel like He has left me alone in my misery that i can not be helped!

[Jesus_is_Lord_]

Herein lies the hidden “secret” to God’s power in our lives:

There is power in surrendering, truly surrendering, to the Lord Jesus.

When you simply cannot go on anymore. Come to Him. Run to Him. And get really honest.

The world says “fight for what you want”, “survival of the fittest”.

Jesus says, “Come to me all who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest”.

[alecferguson]

Amen! I have been through the toughest warfare of my life in the last 4 months and it’s felt like He keeps slipping away, but He isn’t. It’s so hard to feel the absence of connection with Him. So much confusion and anxiety and oppression/depression. I keep fighting but my heart keeps hurting and numbing. Yet I know the truth, but I don’t feel free. Jesus showed me it’s not about a feeling and it’s letting go of control and pride and trusting Him into the deepest parts of my heart because I can’t even identify the pain deep in there and He is the only one who can take it. I don’t know how to find it or let it go but I invite Him to take it. I think He understands all of our situations so deeply and intimately more than we do. He is faithful to restore.

[usernameanonymous]

I really needed this so much...😢 but to be honest I have been trying and doing everything on my own "with the Lord" for so long.. and the Lord has made it so clear that He wanted me be open to people.. and to be honest.. I have tried, I really have for at least a year... but now I feel like they are all pushing me away when I would need it most that someone'd be there for me.. I am all alone and have no christian family or parents and I am not married. the people I did entrust, now often say things such as "Just go to the Lord, " or "pray".. and I really have.. for so many years I have done it all on my own.. I just do not know what to do and how to do it anymore.. I feel so hopeless... 💔😢🙏🏻

[TheApcornejo]

When we literally can't go on He gives us the strength to praise Him. Because in His name is healing power and authority to cleanse and set free the captive and broken hearted. Blessed be the name of Jesus.

I too have been at the end of my rope,
He is there at the end. When we are weak; He is strong.

[issiek]

Thank you so much for sharing 🙏. Im a 17 year old struggling for years, hope explained it so well

[belreed]

This reminded me of the time I really struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts and really thought if I died would I get to be with Jesus. I ended up having to go to the hospital to just get help eating and sleeping and being evaluated for mental illness. I had known the Lord most of my life but it wasn’t till I was lying alone in the dark in that hospital bed that I for the first time in my life realized my desperation for Jesus. That I don’t know how to care for my soul and live in freedom in Him. Then I really cried out to Jesus to forgive me for trying to be in control and not trusting him and finally admitted I needed his help to just live and live in freedom . I have had from then on so much more peace and contentment even as as I am still being transformed day by day.

[elizabethaldrich]

I absolutely appreciated this.
Three years ago The JoyFM was the foundation of getting saved and for knowing Jesus as My Lord and Savior !Thanks to your Ministry, for the first time I understood what JOY meant… I gave my all to Jesus.
May God continue blessing this Ministry.Truly Your Liza Aldrich 🌹

[shadowsidesoamplified]

I don’t know how else do get rid of this anger. I grew up with trauma, I didn’t learn how to act right, abused on one hand and spoiled on the other. I have such short fuse I don’t know how else to get rid of it. I have a therapist, I pray, I try to do work on myself. I wouldn’t even call this anger it’s boiling rage. I watch testimonials when peoples lives changes after meeting or hearing the Lord and I keep asking him to help me get rid of this anger. I’ll keep praying and please pray for me. I’m going to get baptized soon, trying to arrange for that, maybe it will help, too.
Then I think of Apostole Paul who pleaded with God 3 times to take away the thorn in his flesh and God just said “My grace is sufficient for you”

[Texasriogrande]

This life is so cruel and just nasty. It is so refreshing to see a testimony like this explaining the walk with the Lord is not always perfect. It has took me years to finally understand complete peace will one day be fulfilled in heaven when we sit at the feet of Jesus. ❤

[RSharpe]

It was after I had a break down that I too fell on the floor and cried out to Jesus, fully surrendering to Him, and in that moment He healed me. He opened my eyes to idols I did not realise I had, and I gave them up in obedience to Him. Now my eyes are fully fixed on Jesus, I'm following Him and not this world. My relationship with Jesus is closer than ever. He is my number. He wants to be your number one.

[pamelamwilliamson]

Get at his feet & ask him to do only things that he can do!!!++++ Amen amen 🙏... GOD is LOVE at its best!!!++++♡ Peace be still!+♡

[GenuineAltruist]

Thank you for your testimony. 🥺😢🙏✝️
I heard it right when I needed to, ..the Lord's timing is always perfect, I don't know why it still shocks me every time I experience it.
God is good! Amen!!