How to Deal with Fear: What does the Bible say?
"Luke, I'm reading this memoir, and it's, just—depressing. I know life can be traumatic, but is there value in reading so many gory details? Honestly, after reading this book, I'm really skeptical of people, and I'm not sure I want that worldview…"
He looks at me, while I continue.
"I mean, why do things always seem so vulgar and depressing? Are there stories that cover hard and hopeful themes?"
"I think so," he responds.
"I mean, even the Bible has hard stories, but it's redemptive. How can I read and write like that? I want my words to have meaning and purpose without dragging people down.”
My husband and I continue the conversation, still searching for answers.
In a world full of varying emotions, how do we navigate feelings and faith?
///
Today, I listened to the
series, "Making of a Mother." The narrative podcast traces two mothers on different journeys. One is married to a paralyzed man and struggles to get pregnant; the other struggles with addiction and doesn't know what to do with her sixth baby.The show brought me to tears because it was a redemptive story that didn't shy away from the nuances and complexities of motherhood.
///
In addition to reading/listening to multiple genres, I’m also reading through the Bible chronologically. The chronological plans starts with Genesis, but then pivots to Job. Although I've read these books before, I'm struck by how these men and women navigate their feelings.
Job was feeling upset after many moments of suffering. Three of his friends gave different advice, but at the end of the day, he had to rely on his faith, instead of his feelings.
What I love about the Bible, is that it doesn’t remove the messy stuff.
It includes Jobs' questions and God’s responses. The Bible describes Job as righteous, even though he doubted God’s goodness. In Job 10, he questions God’s choices, “Your hands shaped me and made me. Will you now turn and destroy me? Remember that you molded me like clay” (Job 10:8-9). Job cried out to God, despite the advice of his friends.
And it makes me wonder, what voices are we listening to? Are we letting our feelings control us or guide us?
Maybe you can relate, not sure what to do about your feelings and circumstances.
//
As I navigate postpartum with two children, I resonate with these thoughts. Some days, I am motivated to lean into my faith, but other days I want to follow feelings of anger or discontentment. (Especially if I’m consuming depressing literature)
But just like Job, we can find motivation, hope, and life, in the source of life.
So how can we apply this in our everyday interactions?
When our feelings are leading us astray, we can reexamine our input. Are we filling our minds with media that is true, lovely, noble, and pure? Stories that will strengthen faith instead of feelings? If so, can we encourage one another with hopeful stories from our lives and the lives of others?
When our feelings leave us discouraged, we can remember there’s someone who offers eternal and abundant life.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
This post is part of a blog hop with Exhale—an online community of women pursuing creativity alongside motherhood, led by the writing team behind Coffee + Crumbs. Click here to view the next post in the series "Alive."
Hi Grace, I love what you shared about focusing on the good. I just wanted to offer a little caveat that if someone is suffering from a mental disorder like anxiety, depression, or OCD (like me), simply shifting our focus is not going to be enough to erase the sometimes overwhelming experience of anger, sadness, fear, worry, etc. Just offering this here because I used to read posts like these before I was diagnosed and feel so ashamed that I couldn’t seem to shake the doubt and discouragement on my own no matter what input I had in my life.
Thank you for sharing about Making a Mother. We are so honored that these stories touched your heart.