I came into my prayer appointment feeling like I had reached my limit. Fear and anxiety had followed me for most of my life—through frightening childhood health experiences, surviving an EF4 tornado, fertility struggles, the weight of working with vulnerable children, and eventually deep betrayal in my marriage.
Somewhere along the way, I had learned to survive by staying in control. Deep inside was the belief, “I’m the only one looking out for me.”
But during my appointment, Jesus began meeting me in those wounded places.
He met the frightened seven-year-old girl who was afraid to fall asleep. He met the 20-year-old me who had been buried beneath the rubble of a tornado. And He began exposing lies I had carried for years:
You’ll always be afraid.
The more you do, the more you’re worth.
Your life will be small.
Then Jesus spoke something so simple that pierced my heart:
“I love you because I made you.”
I didn’t have to perform. I didn’t have to protect myself or hold everything together. I could simply be His.
One of the most powerful moments was realizing that I had always thought about Jesus being with me in difficult circumstances. But now I could see myself as being with Him—seated with Christ and living from that place of safety and authority.
Jesus also reminded me of who He created me to be: a joy giver.
I came into the appointment overwhelmed, anxious, exhausted, and carrying things I didn’t even realize I was still carrying.
I left feeling lighter and free.
My circumstances hadn’t changed—but somehow, they felt smaller.
Fear no longer felt bigger than Jesus.
I realized that I don’t have to spend my life fighting for freedom.
I can live from the freedom Jesus has already given me