I recently cleaned out my garage. After going through some boxes, I ran across a photo of me on the first day of kindergarten. I had just turned five. On the outside, I looked like a normal little girl but sadly was dealing with unusual anxiety and fear at a very young age. I didn’t feel comfortable leaving my mom. I was scared of being forgotten at school, terrified of things like field trips or staying over at a family member’s house. I would hold on to the seats of our mini-van, cry when dropped off, then cling to my teacher for comfort. One time, I even bit my teacher. The anxiety made me sick to my stomach enough that I never ate breakfast with my siblings. The smell of food in the morning would trigger anxiety and I routinely became nauseous. My first line of defense was to hide under my bed. Next, I would kick and throw fits. This level of fear and anxiety lasted throughout my teenage years. I missed out on many experiences and had limited friendships.
Fast forward to five years ago, on my family’s first visit to Disney, all I wanted to do was get on a ride with my daughter without taking a “fit of fear.” For someone with anxiety or fear problems, even the thought of feeling trapped or confined is overwhelming to the point of making them physically sick. I cried out to God and went on a 21 day fast to break free from that which hindered me for much of my life. During that fast, God revealed that a spirit of fear took hold of my life even as a little girl. After the 21 days were up, we went to Disney. I got on every ride and never experienced any fear or anxiety and I have lived free since. When the enemy has tried to lie to me and bring fear back I just remind him of John 8:44. He is a liar and the father of lies. Numbers 23:19 says that my “God is not a man that he should lie.” Jesus delivered me and set me free and “that’s that!”
My daughter Ronnie Marie started to deal with the same thing at the start of this school year. I prayed, talked with her, assured her, was always first in the pickup line, etc. Three weeks into the year, I sent her to school every day crying. Teachers messaged me. Ronnie’s teacher even made her talk to the school Counselor because she wouldn’t stop crying. After receiving a message that Ronnie was still crying in the middle of the school day, I cried out to God. I made Intercession that day and it was the last time Ronnie walked into school crying and she has never experienced profound fear or anxiety again. Jesus heals, delivers, saves and sets free. Nothing is impossible for God. If he did it for me, he will do it for you! He is no respecter of persons. If your child is troubled and things are going on that don’t line up with the word of God, fall on your face and cry out to Jesus. He will surely show up!