Living in fear, and don't know what to do.

[JohnB445]

In 2016 I was a victim of a crime, I didn't get justice because I was too afraid to seek it out, and believe I will just be gas-lighted and victim shamed. Plus I have 0 evidence, only my testimony and maybe some witnesses if they are willing to come forward but most of them are associated with the criminal.

It was that pivotal year, I was at my lowest point that I actually for once started to seek out God when I wasn't a believer.

The thing is this happened completely out of the blue and was uncalled for, I have done nothing to deserve this and was very confused why this was happening to me.

To be honest if these things didn't end up happening to me, and I ended up living a very cherry life then I probably would of never sought out after God, I would of been too busy in my own world to have done so.

I was wondering maybe unfortunately this HAD to happen for me to seek after him. Because I noticed when people's backs are against the wall and they can only rely on hope, they will start praying even if they don't really believe at the moment they will give it a shot.

After I became a believer, the bad things stopped happening to me, and more good things started to arise. Only bad things happen to me if I cause them to.

I haven't had anything terrible happen so far, and if anything has happened I was the direct cause of it. But it's only been 3 years.

I am just afraid something terrible might happen again out of my control that I did not cause for myself. Because what happened in 2016 was way too much for me to handle, I am still scarred by it.

Outside of eternal life, I do not wish for anything else. But that I can live life peacefully without worry or fear, and that I can make good friends. Nothing more than that. If God could take one of my blessings away which would be wealth, I am willing he takes that so I can have those other 2 in my life. I don't care about wealth or having socioeconomic status, and am happy with my economic situation.

It seems like I am abundantly blessed in one certain aspect, but other areas are completely null and void.

 

[IntriKate]

I understand that fear, we just have to keep talking to and trusting God that he is in control and we do have something to look forward to when this life for good or bad ends .

 

[OldWiseGuy]

I think that many who have denied belief in God but then seek Him in their distress actually did believe in Him all along but were unable to acknowledge it for some reason. Welcome home.

 

[Eftsoon]

I totally get where you're coming from. Just know that God's will for your life is joy. There may be struggles, but the overwhelming message from scripture is that God wants to load us with joy even within the little storms we endure.

 

[Pop D.]

The best way to combat fear is with trust in the Lord.

 

[aiki]

I was wondering maybe unfortunately this HAD to happen for me to seek after him. Because I noticed when people's backs are against the wall and they can only rely on hope, they will start praying even if they don't really believe at the moment they will give it a shot.

This is usually how it goes. We are naturally so unwilling to serve anyone but ourselves, to be under the authority of anyone but ourselves, that we can't be moved toward God except by trouble and pain. Sometimes, God has to strip away all the things we have come to love and depend on that aren't Him before we'll take a good, serious look at Him. I have heard a great multitude of variations on the story of God doing this from fellow believers. We're a sinful, hard-headed bunch!

After I became a believer, the bad things stopped happening to me, and more good things started to arise. Only bad things happen to me if I cause them to.

Do you know the story of Job? Did the terrible things that happened to him come about as a result of his own bad actions? "Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward," the Bible says (in the book of Job, actually - Job 5:7) If it serves God's good purposes, He will allow us to suffer.

We live, too, in a sin-cursed world and this means the trouble, corruption, and destruction that sin always in some form produces will, sooner or later, touch us. We can't escape the evil effects of a world steeped in sin.

But God says to us, "I am your refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. If you've got me, you're going to be all right - even in the midst of the worst of life's storms." This is what anchors Christians, this is what gives them stability and joy in the middle of trouble. And so, the Christian can say, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For you, God, are with me."

I am just afraid something terrible might happen again out of my control that I did not cause for myself. Because what happened in 2016 was way too much for me to handle, I am still scarred by it.

Submitted to God and filled with His power, you can endure anything. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. (Philippians 4:13) Do you really believe it? When you do, your fear will subside.

Outside of eternal life, I do not wish for anything else.

Oh? What about God? Do you just want the eternal life He can give to you, or do you want Him? I can tell you that the former is tied tightly to the latter. The First and Great Commandment is, after all, to love God with all of your being. (Matthew 22:36-38)

But that I can live life peacefully without worry or fear, and that I can make good friends. Nothing more than that.

Not God? Why doesn't He appear in this list of yours?

It seems like I am abundantly blessed in one certain aspect, but other areas are completely null and void.

If you're a truly born-again believer, you have in the Person of the Holy Spirit who lives within you, the greatest thing in all of the universe, greater than everything in the universe combined, more perfect and infinite than anything you could imagine. If you had nothing else but God, you'd still have immeasurably more than the richest, godless billionaire. It seems, though, that you don't actually believe this. Many professing to be Christians don't.

Eternal life in heaven is all about God. He is our "exceeding great reward," the whole point of everything. King David understood this and speaking of God, wrote, "Whom have I in heaven but you?" Is this your attitude? Is eternal life in heaven attractive because you want desperately to see and live forever with your wonderful, holy Maker? Or do you just not want to go to hell?

1 John 4:16-19
16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
19 We love, because He first loved us.

 

[JohnB445]

This is usually how it goes. We are naturally so unwilling to serve anyone but ourselves, to be under the authority of anyone but ourselves, that we can't be moved toward God except by trouble and pain. Sometimes, God has to strip away all the things we have come to love and depend on that aren't Him before we'll take a good, serious look at Him. I have heard a great multitude of variations on the story of God doing this from fellow believers. We're a sinful, hard-headed bunch!



Do you know the story of Job? Did the terrible things that happened to him come about as a result of his own bad actions? "Man is born to trouble as the sparks fly upward," the Bible says (in the book of Job, actually - Job 5:7) If it serves God's good purposes, He will allow us to suffer.

We live, too, in a sin-cursed world and this means the trouble, corruption, and destruction that sin always in some form produces will, sooner or later, touch us. We can't escape the evil effects of a world steeped in sin.

But God says to us, "I am your refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble. If you've got me, you're going to be all right - even in the midst of the worst of life's storms." This is what anchors Christians, this is what gives them stability and joy in the middle of trouble. And so, the Christian can say, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For you, God, are with me."



Submitted to God and filled with His power, you can endure anything. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. (Philippians 4:13) Do you really believe it? When you do, your fear will subside.



Oh? What about God? Do you just want the eternal life He can give to you, or do you want Him? I can tell you that the former is tied tightly to the latter. The First and Great Commandment is, after all, to love God with all of your being. (Matthew 22:36-38)



Not God? Why doesn't He appear in this list of yours? Honestly, your collection of wants here is very self-centered. It should be God-centered.



If you're a truly born-again believer, you have in the Person of the Holy Spirit who lives within you, the greatest thing in all of the universe, greater than everything in the universe combined, more perfect and infinite than anything you could imagine. If you had nothing else, you'd still have immeasurably more than the richest, godless billionaire. It seems, though, that you don't actually believe this. Many professing to be Christians don't.

Eternal life in heaven is all about God. He is our "exceeding great reward," the whole point of everything. King David understood this and speaking of God, wrote, "Whom have I in heaven but you?" Is this your attitude? Is eternal life in heaven attractive because you want desperately to see and live forever with your wonderful, holy Maker? Or do you just not want to go to hell?

1 John 4:16-19
16 We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
17 By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
19 We love, because He first loved us.

Thank you for this, and all other posters on here. That really touched my heart. I will trust God through my tribulations

 

[BobRyan]

In 2016 I was a victim of a crime, I didn't get justice because I was too afraid to seek it out, and believe I will just be gas-lighted and victim shamed. Plus I have 0 evidence, only my testimony and maybe some witnesses if they are willing to come forward but most of them are associated with the criminal.

It was that pivotal year, I was at my lowest point that I actually for once started to seek out God when I wasn't a believer.

The thing is this happened completely out of the blue and was uncalled for, I have done nothing to deserve this and was very confused why this was happening to me.

To be honest if these things didn't end up happening to me, and I ended up living a very cherry life then I probably would of never sought out after God, I would of been too busy in my own world to have done so.

I was wondering maybe unfortunately this HAD to happen for me to seek after him. Because I noticed when people's backs are against the wall and they can only rely on hope, they will start praying even if they don't really believe at the moment they will give it a shot.

After I became a believer, the bad things stopped happening to me, and more good things started to arise. Only bad things happen to me if I cause them to.

I haven't had anything terrible happen so far, and if anything has happened I was the direct cause of it. But it's only been 3 years.

I am just afraid something terrible might happen again out of my control that I did not cause for myself. Because what happened in 2016 was way too much for me to handle, I am still scarred by it.

Outside of eternal life, I do not wish for anything else. But that I can live life peacefully without worry or fear, and that I can make good friends. Nothing more than that. If God could take one of my blessings away which would be wealth, I am willing he takes that so I can have those other 2 in my life. I don't care about wealth or having socioeconomic status, and am happy with my economic situation.

It seems like I am abundantly blessed in one certain aspect, but other areas are completely null and void.

God will bring about justice upon all criminals.

Ps 103:6 The Lord executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed."
Rom 12:19 "19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

Trust in the Lord and do good. Forgive others as you have been forgiven.

On the cross Jesus prayed this for his torturers "Father forgive them for they know not what they do"

Jesus' prayer for them would be answered for everyone who confessed and repented - but those who enjoyed wickedness more than light - will suffer their part in the lake of fire of Rev 20.

You have not failed - it is not up to you to even out the scales of justice - God has taken that task upon Himself.

 

[Jay Sea]

In 2016 I was a victim of a crime, I didn't get justice because I was too afraid to seek it out, and believe I will just be gas-lighted and victim shamed. Plus I have 0 evidence, only my testimony and maybe some witnesses if they are willing to come forward but most of them are associated with the criminal.

It was that pivotal year, I was at my lowest point that I actually for once started to seek out God when I wasn't a believer.

The thing is this happened completely out of the blue and was uncalled for, I have done nothing to deserve this and was very confused why this was happening to me.

To be honest if these things didn't end up happening to me, and I ended up living a very cherry life then I probably would of never sought out after God, I would of been too busy in my own world to have done so.

I was wondering maybe unfortunately this HAD to happen for me to seek after him. Because I noticed when people's backs are against the wall and they can only rely on hope, they will start praying even if they don't really believe at the moment they will give it a shot.

After I became a believer, the bad things stopped happening to me, and more good things started to arise. Only bad things happen to me if I cause them to.

I haven't had anything terrible happen so far, and if anything has happened I was the direct cause of it. But it's only been 3 years.

I am just afraid something terrible might happen again out of my control that I did not cause for myself. Because what happened in 2016 was way too much for me to handle, I am still scarred by it.

Outside of eternal life, I do not wish for anything else. But that I can live life peacefully without worry or fear, and that I can make good friends. Nothing more than that. If God could take one of my blessings away which would be wealth, I am willing he takes that so I can have those other 2 in my life. I don't care about wealth or having socioeconomic status, and am happy with my economic situation.

It seems like I am abundantly blessed in one certain aspect, but other areas are completely null and void.

There is more good out there than evil, though it is sometimes not noticed because it is in so normal small acts.
In LOve
Jay Sea

 

[JohnB445]

The best way to combat fear is with trust in the Lord.

All fear went away the next morning, there in no need to worry but to focus on God and his purpose.

The fear just wasn't there anymore.

 

[How to live]

Dear John,

similar fear I felt as well. Devil use our bad emotions to make us evil and problems. As I understood it, I pray everytime, when I feel bad emotions and ask Lord to help me to remove bad emotions from my heart and than devil cannnot influence me. From this time I don´t afraid from anything in my life and I am sure, that God helps me if I will be in troubles. Please do it same and you will see that you will stop afraid.

God bless you

Peter

 

[SANTOSO]

Beloved one, sow God’s righteousness and reap Christ’s perfect love. ( Hosea 10:12 )

Also, we heard:
So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. -1 John 4:16
By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. -1 John 4:17
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. -1 John 4:18

So beloved one, be perfected in the love of Christ. How ? Sow God’s righteousness.

For the love of Christ casts out fear !

 

[lastofall]

for me anyway we ought to learn that in whatsoever state we are in to be content, and never at any time suppose that gain (advantage or getting advantage) is somehow godliness; rather that godliness with contentment is great gain (advantage).
As for selfish desires, we ought to keep our manner of living without selfishness, and be content with such things as we have.
(Philippians 4:11-13)
(1 Timothy 6:5-8)
Hebrews 13:5)

 

[SANTOSO]

In 2016 I was a victim of a crime, I didn't get justice because I was too afraid to seek it out, and believe I will just be gas-lighted and victim shamed. Plus I have 0 evidence, only my testimony and maybe some witnesses if they are willing to come forward but most of them are associated with the criminal.

It was that pivotal year, I was at my lowest point that I actually for once started to seek out God when I wasn't a believer.

The thing is this happened completely out of the blue and was uncalled for, I have done nothing to deserve this and was very confused why this was happening to me.

To be honest if these things didn't end up happening to me, and I ended up living a very cherry life then I probably would of never sought out after God, I would of been too busy in my own world to have done so.

I was wondering maybe unfortunately this HAD to happen for me to seek after him. Because I noticed when people's backs are against the wall and they can only rely on hope, they will start praying even if they don't really believe at the moment they will give it a shot.

After I became a believer, the bad things stopped happening to me, and more good things started to arise. Only bad things happen to me if I cause them to.

I haven't had anything terrible happen so far, and if anything has happened I was the direct cause of it. But it's only been 3 years.

I am just afraid something terrible might happen again out of my control that I did not cause for myself. Because what happened in 2016 was way too much for me to handle, I am still scarred by it.

Outside of eternal life, I do not wish for anything else. But that I can live life peacefully without worry or fear, and that I can make good friends. Nothing more than that. If God could take one of my blessings away which would be wealth, I am willing he takes that so I can have those other 2 in my life. I don't care about wealth or having socioeconomic status, and am happy with my economic situation.

It seems like I am abundantly blessed in one certain aspect, but other areas are completely null and void.

Beloved one, consider what we have heard:
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" -Romans 8:15

Beloved one, receive the Spirit of adoption as son and cry out,”Abba! Father !
As His son, you will not live in fear.

 

[Bobber]

I think for a Christian to overcome fear it's important not just to say I won't have fear, I won't have fear BUT to fill your spirit and mind with scriptures' about the subject. God's word is compared to seeds (read the parable of the sower Mk 4) and when you plant his word seeds on the subject into your spirit by continual mediation then those anti-fear, FAITH comforting scriptures' will produce a crop of PEACE in one's life. Here's 100 type scriptures' in the link. If you read them onto a digital recorder and play them over to hear not just once not just once but hundreds of times, thousands of times fear will melt away like a snowball on a hot July day.

What Does the Bible Say About Overcoming Fear? (openbible.info)

Below is a youtube video with a great many put on it. If in a battle with fear I'd play them without ceasing.

Bible Verses for Anxiety and Worry - Overcome Fear with Calming Scriptures & Relaxing Nature Sounds - YouTube