Sometimes life can seem to over whelm you.  I wake up at night and feel like I can't breathe let alone sleep.  I think about how I'm going to pay bills, how I can get all the things done that I need to do, and how I can be everything for everyone, since for some strange reason I think I'm responsible for everyone's happiness in the house! 

Well it's clear that this is not working out very well for me.  I am only trying to drive myself crazy!  I can not handle the responsibility for everyone in my family.  I can not do anything about our money situation at this point, and I can only accomplish what time will allow. 

I hate that heart racing feeling.  The wave of sickness that goes along with worry, and the increased rapid breathing that signifies panic.  When I wake to these dreaded symptoms, I reach for my Bible or search my memory for these verses of comfort.

1 Peter 5:7

Cast all your anxiety on Him for He cares for you.

Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Matthew 6:26

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

After putting things in perspective and realizing that God is in total control.... if I LET Him be, I can rest easy in the knowledge that God knows all things. He even know every hair on my head.  He knew me before I was knit together in my mothers womb.  Surely He loves me more than my comprehension allows.  If He loves me so very much I can be assured that He will always do what is best for me.  He sees the big picture while I only see a small portion. 

He understands my desire to trust but my flesh's hesitance.  He will help me overcome my fears and give me confidence that things will always work out for my good.

Romans 8:28

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for

good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

He has not given me a spirit of fear..

2 Timothy 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity,

but of power, love, and self-discipline.

When I fill my heart with these verses, I can rest easy knowing that I don't have to do things on my own, but I have the power of God in my cornor.  He grants me wisdom in all things.

James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to

all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. ...

God knows every hair on my head.

Luke 12:7

... Even every hair on your head has been counted. Don't be afraid! ...

If He knows me that well, He surely must care for me also!

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

As I fill my heart with the word of God, I can feel my heart beat slow down, my panic subsides, and at last I can take a deep breath and, "just breathe".