No More Fear

A few years ago I was in a workshop on prayer led by the late William Vaswig. He shared that his life was changed when his son was severely depressed and there seemed to be no one who could help him. At the time Vaswig was a pastor, but none of his counseling worked and neither did anything the psychologists suggested.

He called Agnes Sanford, who had authored books on prayer and spiritual health. He took a chance she might see him and she did. When he and his son arrived at her doorstep she told him, "You pastors know all about prayer except how to make it work."

She met in private with the son and then told Vaswig she would need to see him for two or three more sessions. She then hugged Vaswig and prayed, "God, your servant is carrying this burden. It is not his fault." Vaswig shared he wept from the deepest recesses of his heart. He wept for his son in pain, he wept for his own fears, and he wept as he released the pain he was carrying inside over not being able to help his son.

Vaswig shared that a few days later his son was healthy and at peace. He was completely changed spiritually, emotionally, and psychologically. The psychiatrists who had worked with him were stunned. They asked if Vaswig would set up a meeting with Ms. Sanford to explain how she helped their patient when they seemed powerless to bring about any change.

Sanford agreed to sit down with them as they anxiously wanted to know why she was able to accomplish in a matter of days what they couldn't in a matter of months.
She told the psychiatrists that the patient had taken a lot of fear into his life after witnessing terrifying events happening in the world and also in his own life.

As many others have noted as well, she insisted that love and fear can't co-exist in the same place, and neither can gratitude and fear. Scripture states that God is not the author of fear. The Apostle John wrote, "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4:18). She then explained she prayed for the patient to have a deep sense of God's love, knowing that once that love was felt, fear would automatically vanish.

What holds people back? Fear of the unknown, fear of acceptance, fear of failure, fear in a myriad of forms. What drives out the darkness of fear? Resting in the love of God, giving thanks for the gifts in your life, and trusting that His promises really are true.


 By Tobin Crenshaw


Article Source: No More Fear
Previous Post Next Post
  • Don't Allow Overwhelm To Lead To Inactivity

    When making a significant change to your lifestyle such as following the low carb model I personally use and help clients with, it can be a challenge. Or in fact anything that means significant change for you, and those around you.For some it's a matter of ripping the band-aid off quickly and divin... Readmore

  • How I Broke Free From Anxiety

    I was 12 years old when I first recognised anxiety. I woke up one morning and it felt like a lightning bolt went through my body and feelings of complete loss followed. I had been brought up in a close family with three brothers, 2 older than myself and my closest brother two years younger than me. ... Readmore

  • Dealing With Social Anxiety in a Loved One

    A social anxiety disorder entails living with excessive or unreasonable fear of social situations. People with this disorder are usually afraid that they will make a mistake or appear ridiculous in front of others, get embarrassed or humiliated. Such people live under the constant fear of being judg... Readmore

  • Social Anxiety Disorder

    Anti anxiety medications might offer one quick solution to your anxiety problems. These types of drugs include traditional anti-anxiety drugs (benzodiazepines), as well as newer options like antidepressants and beta-blockers. They can help reduce your anxiety while you undergo therapy to get to the ... Readmore

  • Depression Can Strike Anyone at Anytime

    Even though the majority of us are more aware of the prevalence of mental illness, there is still a stigma attached to the subject and many of us often still find it an uncomfortable issue to discuss.Whether we know someone who is suffering from depression or not, we should all remember that mental ... Readmore

  • The Hug Factor

    One goal of longevity researchers is to keep your body from aging and dying for as long as possible. The other is to preserve your brain. Oddly enough, the secret to both may lie in childhood, I gestures as natural as a hug between mother and child or as purposeful as a little extra stimulation.Stan... Readmore

  • Uncovering the Weight & Lifestyle Connection

    Why do some people have a harder time losing weight than others?Some people have really low metabolisms due to inborn genetic conditions. Others develop hormone-imbalance disorders like hypothyroidism later in life, which can also make losing weight nearly impossible without proper treatment.However... Readmore

  • There Are Many Benefits Of Working With A Trainer

    Personal training is a wonderful way for you to get your goals in motion and to see them develop. Quit dreaming of losing weight, increasing your energy levels, and feeling your best. Make it a top priority. Eliminate the excuses too including being too busy or not being able to afford it. Carve tim... Readmore

  • Components Of Leadership PRECISION

    Great leadership rarely just happens! Rather, it is generally, a result of a combination of factors, including: personal desire; self - confidence; a need to serve (and make a difference, for the better); a can- do, positive attitude; discipline; training, learning, etc; empathy; integrity, etc. One... Readmore

  • Why Leaders Must Remain ALERT

    Most people underestimate how much a leader needs to know, pay attention to, consider, and do, because they are not intimately involved in the process. The fact is, effective leadership requires a wide variety of talents, variables, assets, etc, which must be combined with a well - developed aptitud... Readmore