Two years ago, I was traveling overseas when something strange happened. As I approached an escalator, a wave of fear gripped me out of nowhere. It made no sense. I had been on escalators my whole life without a second thought. Yet that day, I froze. My heart pounded, my body tensed, and all I could think about was finding the stairs or an elevator. After finding none, I gritted my teeth, stepped on, and made it down the escalator, but I was shaken.
Months later, I was in London on another trip facing one of those steep and endless escalators in the Underground. Again, there were no elevators. This time, I felt trapped. That same fear rose up, but then I remembered something. When fear tries to take over, trusting God is my only option.
Putting My Trust in God
Psalm 56:3–4 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (NIV)
As I looked fear in the face, I felt my faith rising. This escalator would not overcome me. Looking up at the bright steel industrial lights with tears pooling in my eyes, I called out to my God who is bigger than all of my fears and whom I trust above all else. The great thing about London is that people are racing by, and seeing a woman calling out to God is just another day.
I know what I know what I know. As soon as I prayed and called out to God, I felt a peace. Grabbing the railing, I planted myself on the right side of the escalator and kept looking up, chanting over and over, “I trust You God. I trust You God. I trust You God.” Believe me when I tell you, as soon as I stepped off the bottom of that escalator, I felt free. I knew that whatever had gripped me was gone. I cannot tell you how many times I rode the different escalators in London after that. I was just so happy. This feeling that my Heavenly Father had heard my prayer and answered with peace was the greatest gift in the entire world.
How to trust God when feeling fear
That day in London taught me something powerful. Fear may come suddenly, but so can faith when you choose to trust God. I could have let my thoughts spiral, but instead, I grabbed hold of God’s truth and spoke it out loud.
And let me be clear. In that moment of fear, I did not remember a specific Bible verse word for word. I remembered a truth.
God is bigger than all things, so I can trust God.
The Word of God is not meant to stay on the page. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word of God is alive and active. When you speak Scripture out loud, you are declaring God’s truth over your mind, your emotions, and your situation. Fear begins to lose its grip when you remind yourself who God is and what God has promised. You may not always recall the exact wording of a verse, but the Holy Spirit will bring truth to your heart. That is exactly what happened to me.
One of the best ways I have learned to make the Word personal is by inserting my own name into the verse and praying it over myself. For example: “When I am afraid, I, Casandra, will put my trust in God. In God, whose Word I praise, I trust God and I am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
This is not simply positive thinking. This is agreeing with the authority of the Word of God. When you do this consistently, your heart learns to turn to God first instead of being overwhelmed by fear.
My Prayer for You
Spirit of the Living God, Creator of Heaven and Earth, Yahweh, I seek Your face in humble adoration and praise. Lord, You are faithful, generous, merciful, and worthy of all praise. You are my refuge and my strength. Thank You for hearing the cries of Your servant. Lord, I stand in the gap for those who want to trust You. Help their unbelief. Under the blood of the cross and in the name of Jesus Christ, we bind the spirit of fear, confusion, anxiety, and panic attacks. We loose courage, boldness, wisdom, faith, and good health. Your power is made perfect in weakness. Thank You, Lord, that no fear is greater than You. May they taste and see how amazing You are. Amen.
My friend, faith is your key to eradicate all fear. Trust God. Be a blessing and be blessed today.
