Battle in the Night

 

 

If you are joining me here today from my Proverbs 31 Devotional, Battle in the Night, welcome!

Maybe you stopped by because you could relate to my struggle with fear and worry, especially at night. I’d love to say that I have conquered these wee night wars in my mind, but that would simply not be true!

I am still in the process of learning to give all of my concerns to Jesus when my mind and heart want to spiral and fix and then spiral some more!

Recently, I was away from my family for a weekend. When I am not in my own bed, sleep can come hard. Ten o’clock. Eleven o’clock. Twelve o’clock. Still no sleep. I began to worry that in the morning I would be too tired to get my work done!

As I laid there praying a little and thinking a lot, I remembered something I had heard my sister Colleen tell someone earlier. When she can’t sleep, she grabs her cell phone next to her bed and reads the Bible. No need to turn the light on; the cell phone lights up on it’s own! I grabbed my phone and found relief for my soul in God’s word. It was exactly what I needed to chase away the fear and worries of the night. God’s own love letters to me quieted my heart and eventually put me to sleep!

Try putting your phone on silent with a Bible app opened up or purchase a book lamp and lay it right next to your Bible. When fear stirs or worry spins, read a Psalm, especially the last couple chapters. Reading God’s greatness puts our troubles in their right perspective! (I use the YouVersion Bible App).

Today I’m giving away a “Faith Builder” gift pack. I believe that the best way we can build our faith and conquer our worries is by knowing who we are in Christ!  My passion is teaching women, young and old alike, to know their identity in Jesus as early as possible!

So, today’s gift pack is designed to get you set up for a New Year of faith building! It includes a signed copy of my book,  “Devotions for a Revolutionary Year” as well as a 365 Day Franklin Covey Planner and a copy of the Proverbs 31 Women.

To enter to possibly win, share with me in the comments below (or go to www.LynnCowell.com) and share your favorite way to build your faith and conquer your fear. If you’re in a hurry, just comment “I’m growing!”

Be sure to stop back on Friday when I will post the winner!

 

Here are two ways every one can be a winner!

 

Click here to here to get my “Revolutionary Love Calendar”; a 365 day calendar to bring you and your girl closer to Jesus and to each other!

 

Click here to sign up and receive my 7 Day Faith Builder…7 devotions straight from “Devotions for a Revolutionary Year”!

 

Lynn

135 Comments

  1. I am walking through a long season of faith building right now. My favorite way to grow my faith and to quell my fear is to meditate on Scripture that remind me of God’s love, protection, trustworthiness, and provision and then to journal on God’s Words. For the past several weeks, I have reflected on Psalm 62:5–My soul, wait in silence for God only; For my hope is from Him. This is my prayer as I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, learning to lean on and trust in my Lord, my Comforter, my Provider, and my Friend.

  2. Thank you for this devotion! I was actually up most of the night worrying about a daughter that is making some choices that are very worrisome. I was feeling such an overwhelming sense of dread because my daughter has had a difficult couple of years . I went to bed worrying and woke up worrying. I asked her yesterday if she was praying and she told me she was afraid that God wasn’t there for her, that he wasn’t listening. I have recently downloaded the Youversion Bible app and will leave it open on my phone tonight! I will encourage her to do the same!

  3. patsy riley says:

    I too had an experience similar to this in October my sisters sand I took my Mom to the beach for her 90th birthday. While traveling on the actual night of her birthday it was obvious Mom was not sleeping . So I got out of my bed and went to her bedside to see how I could pray for her to ease her mind. She was excited and not sure of how she was going to manage this trip in her wheel chair. So I prayed with her went back to bed and went through the alphabet praising God for all the ways He had showed up to make this trip happen. Needless to say we both feel asleep.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      I love your obedience to the Holy Spirit, Patsy!

  4. Hi Lynn
    I’m growing! Thanks.

    Irene

  5. I love this! I often wake up and struggle to get back to sleep, because of the war in my mind. I struggle to take it off of the negative and focus on God and scripture in the middle of the night.

  6. every day this website builds me up, I am growing and thank you for the words you are sharing. God is good and even if we are confused or lost he seems to lay a path down for us to follow. Thank you for helping me guide my girls 12 and 10 in the concept of revolutionary love. God Bless!

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Heather! So glad God is using me to encourage you 🙂

  7. i’m growning…………..

  8. I struggle with this so much! I’m working on it and growing every day.

  9. I love to pray until I fall asleep again. I’ll read Scipture on prayer too.

  10. Stay in the word, pray, worship Him…repeat! Remember that the Lord’s promises are true. He is a trustworthy God.

  11. I share my faith with other young women and by doing that, when I least expect it, they share with me some amazing thing that grew their faith that day, which makes my faith grow even more!! Praise The Lord!!

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      LOVE it Michelle!

  12. God is so good, when my fear overtakes my trust I turn to the work and sing What a mighty God we serve. He is more mighty then my fear. Praise God

  13. When negative thoughts and worries clutter my mind I try to redirect them to positive such as a scripture verse or a worship song. I am still growing.

  14. Thanks so much for this. Last night again was a struggle to sleep. My body feels tired but my head hits the pillow racing with thoughts and worries. I love your idea to keep an electronic version of the bible handy. I hate waking my hubby, so that is such a great idea. Thank you!

  15. I have had a struggle this fall. Ky toughest times are when I am driving to and from the hospital. I am trying to memorize more Scripture to bring to mind during this time since I really shouldn’t grab my Bible and read. A verse that I am working on right now is 1 Timothy 6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” A prayer with this verse is that I may walk in contentment and move forward by faith. I also am trying to focus on what we know and what we are being told and really trying not to think of all the what ifs.

  16. Praise music on whenever I can. It builds me up and in turn I am full to share with others or to make it through hard times. I too struggle with sleep and keep my phone/music beside my bed for those awake times as it helps me to focus my mind on him.

  17. Polly Schneider says:

    I spent time in God’s Word in the morning. This really helps me through my day. I. am growing.

  18. Debbie Myhre says:

    I loved today’s devotion just last night I tossed and turned. God is amazing, I usually pray during those times of worry, but today I am praying for that song….and I am growing!

  19. Roselynn Casey says:

    I too have a hard time with my mind racing away in the darkness of the night. I pray and ask God to give my mind rest and yet it continues to race until I drift off to sleep. I will take your advice about keping my Bble next to the bed and reaching for God’s Word on those dark sleepless nights.

    May God bless you and your ministry.

    Roselynn

  20. This is timely devotional in our home. It often happens that the daily devo is as if written for what we are going through. Thanks for being faithful in writing about things that are “common to man”

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Just writing out of our real lives, Martha 🙂

  21. Hi Lynn,
    I am definitely struggling in trying to grow in faith right now. I feel like in most all aspects of my life I am being challenged with feeling unimportant and it’s bringing me down. I complicate it by asking myself how can I be a good single mother teaching my young daughter good self esteem when I am so down on myself. As you said, during the day even though I am sad I can relatively focus. Once I leave the office though I get hit with a wave of sad that dampens the evening and my time with my daughter. At night, I spiral. I have found that when I turn my phone on to play klove and really focus on each song, I tune out my thoughts and fall asleep. Some nights I leave it on so that if I wake, I can go back to sleep and rest in thoughts of God and faith. Every day is hard but I’m growing in my faith, I know I am. Thank you.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Kathy…you are growing; you are moving in the right direction. I wonder if you could use the same method to focus before you get home from work? I know I have to continually work at keeping my thoughts focused on Him and not my circumstances! It is hard work!

  22. Always, always growing (I hope!)

  23. I just recently signed up for the Proverbs 31 emails and have been greatly encouraged by them; todays though, seemed to hit the target for me directly. I have struggled with letting my mind rest at night and allowing those anxious thoughts not to rule me when I lay down (or when I awake), especially in regards to my teen daughter. My strength has been the Word of God and now I have been reminded of a few more Scriptures that will help me fight the ‘night battles’. Thank you for your obedience to the Holy Spirit today. What an intimate God we serve!

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Debbie…welcome! I specifically write to Moms who are raising teen girls. Join our community…we’d love to have you!

  24. Heather Storey says:

    I’m a fairly new believer and I’m growing everyday in my faith. Proverbs 31 and you ladies help me through each and every day in my growth. Recently my family has lost two loved ones and last week my husband lost is job so I have not been sleeping to well lately due to worries. Tonight I know that I will be diving into Psalms before I go to sleep. I know and believe that God will take care of all of us and everything that happens is His plan for us. Thank you for the encouraging words each and every day, you are a blessing!

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Heather, I am so very sorry for your trials. I am glad that Proverbs 31 is being an encouragement to you in your new faith! You are a blessing to us!

  25. I hope I’m growing!

    Thanks

  26. Lorraine W says:

    Your words really spoke to me, I struggle everyday and appreciate your encouraging words! Thank you! I have a lot of work to do.

  27. michelle h says:

    stepping out on Jesus’ promises always grows faith! it’s just scary at times.

  28. I sing or hum Amazing Grace in my head until I fall asleep.

  29. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS! I haven’t been sleeping very much with marriage troubles and problems with family members ……….I just sit up and cry all night until i eventually cry myself to sleep. I do pray (sometimes) but then I get into that phase where I wonder if God hears me ………I know he does but that “thinking” comes and goes…….thank you for this ………I will be doing this tonight and I am def making me sign for my room that says “Give me all your troubles before you go to bed. I’m going to be up anyway.” – God. (I LOVE THAT!) Thank you again!

  30. I recite Bible verses or sing Christmas carols (Hark the Herald Angel Sings) as those are the songs that seem to stick in my head any time of year!

  31. Thank you for your words of encouragement. II Chronicles chapter 20 is one of my very favorite passages of scripture. No matter what I’m facing, it always lifts me up and helps me remember the battle is not mine but the Lords.

  32. There is such truth to this! It is powerful! About 10 years ago, I went through circumstances that turned my world upside down. At night, my mind would not shut off. One night, in utter exhaustion, I turned on my light, and asked the Lord to put His hands around mine and have me open my Bible to where He wanted me to read. It flooded me with peace and quieted my worries. I did that for months on end. I love your idea of singing praises when worries strike! I now have teenage daughter and want her to have her own relationship with the Lord. Thank you for this encouraging devotion!

  33. I have two teen daughters. One is a senior and one a freshman, and even though they go to a Christian school the struggles for them are always present. The struggle with other girls, the struggle with boys. Some days I am always asking myself what am I doing wrong. As I ask God’s protection over them I am always still struggling for the right thing to do or say, and of course teen girls always think their Mom’s don’t know anything:)

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Lisa, it has a whole lot to do with the times we are living in. Read God’s word. Read them God’s word and don’t stop praying!

  34. I am working on growing and actually just bought my first Bible. I think these devotions would be a great thing to do too. THanks for the chance to win this.

  35. My daughter, husband and I are reading a chapter from the Bible every night that we are together (my husband drives a semi). We are currently reading Revelations. My daughter and I also read our Bible and pray together every night. I also do the S.O.A.P. Bible study method. I am currently studying Proverbs. We pray about everything and it all helps our faith grow.

  36. Kellie Hoskins says:

    I love to read God’s word right before going to bed (sometimes in combination with a bible study or devotional) and I meditate on his truth. I am so excited to share your book with my two teenaged daughters. I think it will be a real blessing for them. Thanks so much for your encouragement. I really enjoy your devotionals.

  37. I have learned to put a Bible by my bedside, one in the restroom, and one in my crafting space, so His Word is always nearby.

  38. My struggles usually aren’t at night because I sleep like a baby, my struggles are during the day when my mind has time to ponder on little issues that I allow to become big issues (insecurities, selfworth, etc). I tell the devil to back off and then start thanking Jesus for the authority he has given me to do so.

  39. Beth Turner says:

    Prayer!!! I pray everytime my mind will not calm down. I also wake up during the night and have the same problem. I cry out to My Father, and HE quiets my mind.

  40. I can so relate to your story of battling runaway thoughts in the night and using God’s Word to get back on track a never fail solution! Thank you for all you do for Jesus!

  41. Lynn, this is something that I’ve dealt with since my teenage years! In high school, my dad forced me to go into the bathroom and read my bible when i would wake up worried. I wanted him so badly to just make the worries go away, but he lead me to my heavenly Father, who wants me to give them all to Him! I still struggle with worry and I’m so thankful to have the Word close by always! Thank you for your faithfulness in sharing and teaching us!

  42. My husband is in the military, so there are many nights when I’m home alone with the kids. Normally, I can easily fall asleep by 9pm, but when my husband is not home, I will stay up until 1am sometimes, just doing odd jobs around the house, or watching movies. On the nights when I actually do make a conscious effort to read my Bible or listen to a recording of a Christian radio program before bed, I sleep so much better! Thank you for sharing!

  43. Hi Lynn, I would absolutely love this…I would love it for myself and to share with my daughter. There are so many distractions in the world, but we desperately need that quiet time with him. If she is able to learn that now, what a benefit to her later!!! thank you for your generosity!! God bless you and your ministry lynn!!

  44. I feel I am just beginning to grow. Worry sets in during the night for me, too, over my daughter’s choices. Sometimes I feel that I have failed her by not enforcing a closer walk with the Lord, although we have been going to church all along. Now she is away at college which even worries me more. I know the Holy Spirit is in her and I just need to let God be God!!! I would love this gift pack to help me and my daughter on our journey. I will definitely read my Bible in the wee hours of the night!! Thank you ever so much for the encouragment.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Janice, I think kid worries are the worst!I try to remember that God loves them even more than I do and is a better parent too!

  45. Dawn Maxey says:

    When I am fighting fear, whether it be the middle of the night or during waking hours, I find myself falling back on my old childhood stand by. I repeat 2 Timothy 1:7 over and over to myself. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” It never fails to bring me a sense of peace. I am teaching all of my children the same verse so that they may find comfort. Even when I am not by their side they can be reminded that God always is.

  46. I’m growing! Praise God 🙂

  47. Taylor Pinkham says:

    I like to post bible verses against fear/anxiety on my bedroom door/inside my mirror in the bathroom/Refrig etc… This way I always have a reminder of God’s faithfulness… I also keep post its at my bedside along with a pen, sometimes I find being a wife/mother, that I am trying to balance everyone else and not forget something for our family that it causes a panic feeling as I want to sleep. Having the note there, I can jot down a quick reminder and then I find it gives my brain permission to relax and drift off to sleep… I also sleep better when my hubby and I get to pray before bed together.

  48. Thank you for always giving such good advise for dealing with issues. Faith is the biggest struggle, praying to God about something and having faith not to try to take it back from God and let him handle it in his own timing. Thanks again!

  49. Gabrielle says:

    Lynn, thanks for your ministry ! I’m growing ! — Prayer !!!!

  50. Cassie C. says:

    My favorite way to build my faith is in fellowship with others. Whether it is a women’s bible study, a christian marriage class, or hanging out with good friends that are also believers, it’s so much better (for me) when I’m not alone. There’s also the added benefit of having more than one interpretation of the same word!

    And I’m growing!!!

  51. Hi Lynn,

    My song of choice for midnight wil be Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus! Lately I struggle with worrying about my daughter finding the right college and her safety when she not accross the hall anymore. Although she is not my only child or the first child to leave home I think I worry more about her because she is a woman. I appreciate Proverbs 31 ministry. There are many days that begin and end with me reading your messages. I know that in every trial or tribulation it is my pathway to the next season that God has for me. Thank you for sharing your faith and allowing God to speak to us through. God Bless

  52. is still a growing process for me…sometimes i am build up in faith and others i needs the encouragemt that God is always there

  53. When I can’t sleep, I pray. I try to think if there is someone I have been concerned about or someone that I know who might need prayer. I’ve had times where I found out later the next day that someone I prayed for was going through a struggle at the same time I felt called to pray for them.

  54. God and I are friends. For most of my life I didn’t know I was allowed to think that. My husband is the one who is teaching how much God loves me and helping me with the word. I am growing with God daily but the best part is how excited I am to know more about our Lord. Do you know how wonderful it is to know I can talk to God about everything and anything. He has time for me and loves me so much. I get so overwhelmed with the love sometimes I can’t help but cry. I feel so blessed. Is my life perfect? Far from it. I lost my job over a year ago but God has provided. If you would like to send me this battle in the Night set I will be sharing it with both of the womens bible studies I go to. Your sister in Christ
    Kimberly

  55. Hilda Quintanilla says:

    I do the same thing and sometimes I listen to praise and worship on my phone via pandora.

  56. i pray and read HIs word when i can’t sleep or begin to let my mind go places i know i should not be going. trusting Him with the promises He makes has help my faith grow tremendously. Certainly satan plants terrible thoughts in my mind and oh so many times i fall into his trap. The Message translation helps me so much when i fall into the doubts that run through my mind. i constantly have to remind myself that i am a daughter and chosen by HIM the one that will never leave or forsake me.

  57. Samantha King says:

    I’m growing, everyday! The biggest way I do this is by making the time to immerse myself in the Word, and the words of powerful prayer warriors such as yourself!

  58. Meditating on specific scriptures is huge for me!

  59. This speaks to my heart. I too have that 11 pm, 2pm, 4 pm…thing sometimes where it seems I “pray through the night”‘. Next time I will read my Bible on my computer that I keep near my bed. I have been reading a prayer by Scotty Smith each night before I go to bed, so that computer is on low screen and having it set on the scriptures I am reading at the time would be so easy before going to sleep.
    Thanks

  60. I’m growing! Thanks for nourishing me along the way

  61. Wow, we may have been actually having similar spiritual battles at night, go prayer warriors!

    Last night, my devotion was about walking through our fears and trusting God to overcome our fears. I remembered that I’ve been having bad dreams night after night, and realized it was time (way past time actually) to pray for God to reveal to me what I was afraid of in life so I could overcome it with His Help.

    As I woke up in the middle of the night from bad dreams, I knew what to do this time instead of being afraid or worrying. I got up and got my iPad. I love using a journaling app to talk to God and a Bible app to read His comforting Word (now that I remembered there was a way to overcome the bad dream instead of being stuck in it).

    I read Matthew 6:25-34 where Jesus tells us to not worry about our life or tomorrow, but instead to desire His kingdom and His Righteousness. My worries were intertwined with my fears, and the Word was beginning to unravel my tension.

    As I relaxed, I read Isaiah 43 where the Lord tells us to “Fear Not” because He has redeemed us and called us by name _____, we are His!! HE reminds us that when we pass through rough waters, He will not let us go down because He is with us.

    My other favorite is Psalm 41, Our God is our Refuge and our Fortress, our God in who we trust. He will save us from snares and cover us with His feathers. I will call on Him and He will answer me and protect me, deliver me and honor me. WOW, God is amazing!! Who can think about fears when you read all those amazing promises!!

    How wonderful and peaceful God’s word is in the middle of our own storms, He calms the waters, He walks with us and does not leave us. As long as I can turn to Him and focus on His promises in the Word, then I can sleep peacefully 🙂

  62. Prayer and the passage “Be still and know that I am God”

  63. Prayer, scripture and praise music all help me. I especially like and reread Psalm 91. “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

  64. Leslie White says:

    Lynn, I am ALWAYS dealing wtih fear and worry. Raising my 15 year old daughter to stand strong and remember WHOSE she is. Raising my 11 year old son to be a man of God. TOUGH!!! Reading proverbs for instruction and also my favorite verse in Isaiah 43:2. . I am busy with the kids and the husband and my career so there are MANY times I fail. So glad to have your blogs. THANK YOU LYNN. Daily walk.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Leslie…so glad the posts are helpful! Hang in there!

  65. I try to talk to God while not waking my husband and I also fall asleep with praise music in my head.

  66. Loan Nguyen says:

    I’m growing! 🙂

  67. I would love to recieve the packet.. His Revolutionary Love! Wow! This
    Story about worries was just what I needed today. Remembering to put
    It in God’s hands. This has given me new hope today!
    Thank you Ruthanna
    Also reading. Psalm before I go to bed really helps. David worried and was
    Anxious, but ultimately hr new in the end his struggles would need to be
    given to God our healer.

  68. Sounds like so many of us here have similar circumstances. My struggle is for my “adult” child who is making some very dangerous life choices right now and is even looking at “other paths to God”. I struggle about having faith that God truly has this under control and doesn’t need me “meddling” it what He has a handle on already. I have to remember that we prayed for our son even before we conceived him, then through the pregnancy and for the last 22 years even to today! I’m reading yet ANOTHER book that reminded me of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:9-28. I have felt this sorrow, this grief, and in getting tired of waiting on the Lord to help my child, have tried to “take over”. He is continuing to work in me through this and so at night when I can’t sleep, (or in the shower when I need a place to weep), I often sing….It is Well With My Soul, His Eye is On the Sparrow, God’s Not Dead He’s Surley Alive, Spoken For, And God Ran….. And so many, many more as He leads me to them. And I also concentrate on scripture that He has had friends remind me of. So many times when the enemy attacks, he does so in a way that my eyes turn away from the Father and the Father uses these Godly people in my life to remind me that He’s still here.

  69. Valerie Biver says:

    I’ve been singing In my head a lot. Songs seem to stick when I’m in a difficult place. Even while I am reading.

  70. I can relate to many of these. For now, I’m growing.

  71. Jenny Rutan says:

    I love to read my bible, sing praises and pray an aweful lot…but I also climb up in my Fathers lap asking Him to hold me close and help me. After all my dad’s a KING! 😀 Thanks Lynn for all you do as a vessel for our Lord. God bless you and your family this wonderful CHRIST-mas season. And…I AM STILL GROWING TOO!

  72. I recently have been so distracted by life that I let my trust, faith, and thankfulness in God slip away. Of course now I’m feeling the repercussions as my life feels like its all falling apart. I list my great paying Job that he blessed me with. Of course I took advantage of the pay and didn’t manage the money right, now I’ve had to take a lower paying job and am dressing about my financial debts and responsibilities. I lost my boyfriend/ ex husband we were trying to reconcile but it didn’t seem to work out, and I feel lost without him. I am so scattered and disorganized its pathetic. I get onto my kids for their sloppiness and as I look around I see that they get it from me. I work nights so alli want to do is sleep cause I feel emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted. I have no energy or desire to get out if bed once I’m in it. I work extra days because I’m financially in a bind and don’t know how to get out of it. So I feel like I’m hardly ever home with my kids. My son has c and d in school and I can’t seem to get him to realize the impact or the consequences he’s going to face if he fails. And today I get a call from his principal because he was caught smoking marijuana in the bathroom and had more in his possession. I started working on my re building of my faith and trust a few days ago and I feel better have I read and pray but it only lasts for a little while then I start to worry again. I feel like my life is spiraling out of control and I can’t get a grip. I know I am still better off then others and Im thankful for that , I need guidance and help reading and understand the word. Where do I start how do I look for scriptures related to my worries and fears. I don’t always understand what I’m reading, how do I interpret it? Thanks for listening.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Jennifer…a couple of years ago I felt I needed to really focus on freedom. I went to Biblegateway.com and put in the search box…free and then freedom. I printed out every verse listed. Then each day I would go through one or two and think on it all day long. That might be one method.

      You might also consider looking for a book that studies fear. Micca Campbell with Proverbs 31 Ministries has one called An Untroubled Heart. Here is her blog: http://miccacampbell.com/

  73. When I a struggling with fear, I like to find scriptures on fear, personlize them and say them out loud.

  74. When I am fearful or worry filled , I visualize myself handing my fear or worry over to God as a solid object. As I begin to fear or worry again, I look at my hands and see that I have taken it all back. So I visualize giving it back to Him again and again and again… Sometimes it takes me a long time.

  75. Stephanie says:

    I’m Growing! Every day is a new struggle in my walk with God as I strive to live a life that honors Him, my children, my fiance, and my family.

  76. To fight fear and worry, I pray and ask God for help — reminding myself and admitting to God that I can’t fight this on my own. And I love the verse in Hebrews where God says “never will I leave you, never will I fail you.” In the Amplified version it is even more powerful.

  77. I’m growing! The 3 things that I usually try to do is: repeat verses in my head especially the verses in Matt when it asks can my worry really change anything. There are many other verses I go to as well don’t work about anything but pray about everything. So I pray when I am worried or fearful. I also list all the things I am thankful for. Then I also sing or listen to praise music cause along with using your phone to read the bible you can also use your little ear buds to listen to music or speakers.

  78. I am helping my son raise his daughter. This devotional opened my heart to building an open relationship with her. I to worry and fear more at night. To get through this I imagine these worries and fears are flower petals that I pluck and place in God’s hand’s.

  79. I am praying and waiting on God to restore my marriage and it is really hard to STAND when everything looks dead and he says he is never coming back. But God, I am growing!

  80. Antonette says:

    I also use the youversion Ap, and find that I have quick access to the Holy Spirit, for all that troubles me at any given time ( : I am growing

  81. I’m growing, every day!

  82. When I struggle at night with fear. I quote scripture to myself like Matthew 6 where it says who of you by worrying can add a single hour to their life. I have a five month old daughter and when I struggle with fear and anxiety during the day her and I will read the Bible together and then we will talk about that scripture. Well really I talk and she just rolls around or tries to crawl. I want to give her the example early on of what to do and how Jesus can take away the fear.

  83. Thank you for these encouraging words. Wow, thought I was the only one who couldn’t
    sleep, but obviously not. I am going to try to sing tonight……Your Grace is Enough. Those words say it all!
    I also like the idea of reading the Bible when your head is spinning with worry. A friend of mine taught me to start quoting Psalm 23 when I can’t sleep.

  84. Nicci Ramirez says:

    My favorite way to build my faith and conquer my fear is to recite Phil 4:13 over and over and over and over!

  85. Reading your Devotions and those from the Proverbs 31 emails has helped me grow my faith and let go of some of my fears. Thank you for all you do in helping with this.

  86. I’ve signed up for so many devotions and I read them throughout the day, since they come into my inbox at all different times. I’ve also come across the SOAP technique and I’ve started studing God’s word with this technique.

  87. So thankful for Proverbs 31 Ministries and each of you that write. I keep my faith growing through each of you. Your willingness to draw close to God and share that experience, how we can apply these tools and strategies in our lives, is soooo encouraging. It keeps me in the Word and desiring to be in God’s presence more and more. Thank you!

  88. I’m growing…….

    When I struggle to sleep, I am reminded of Psalm 4:8,
    ‘I will lie down and sleep in peace,
    for you alone, O Lord,
    make me dwell in safety.’

    Thank you Lynn, may the Lord continue to bless you and your family.

  89. I struggle with this too, either I have a hard time falling asleep or when I do sleep, it’s very light that every single noise wakes me up. What I’ve been trying to do is either recite scripture or sing, not too loud to wake anybody but loud enough for me to hear myself. Push comes to shove, I say Jesus over and over.

  90. Jada Smith says:

    Thanks for all you do to help us grow in Christ! 🙂

  91. Joanna Warren says:

    I’m growing!

  92. I’m thankful that God will never leave us. I’m holding on to that promise. I struggle with worrying, but I’m growing. I understand the where the phrase ‘growing pains’ come from.

  93. I’m probably too late — but I am STRUGGGGGGGGGLING and I’d love to win something, but … if it’s too late, can you just pray for me? I am struggling …..

    thanks.

  94. Melanie Cooper says:

    Continual prayer brings peace that wards off even my greatest fear. Sadly, I still find myself neglecting to pray, and allowing my old cycles of fear and anxiety back in, especially at night. This was a great devotion for me, and reminds me to be vigilent in growing my faith, both for me and for the sake of my children.

  95. Peggy Clement says:

    My way to build faith is to find scripture on what God has spoken to me and quote it daily and as often as needed.

  96. LauraDavis says:

    I am growing! Prayer….

  97. Robin Wheeler says:

    Thank you so much for sharing your heart. I do not have any children, but I was a very rebellious young adult. So I have ministered to many parents that have girls like I was. This would be an excellent resource for my receptionist and her daughter. Thank you and God bless!

  98. I used to wonder why night time was the hardest then I realized Satan dwells in the dark so he try’s to work in our minds since he has lost our soul. Greater is he that is in me than he that is in the world!!

  99. Casey Smith says:

    When my mind goes out of control with worry, I pray and have a conversation with God. My mind still spins and goes in circles. During the day, I have my morning devotions to go to and spend time with God. At night, everything seems to escalate….all my fears and concerns.
    Your message today has taught me that we all go through this, every mother, every wife.
    I will use the tools you spoke of today!
    It seems everything gets worse at night and my early morning devotions find a place hidden from my mind. I hope to have your tools ready and my mind set in gear to hear God’s truths in the evening as well!
    Thank you for your encouragement and words!

  100. Norma Thibodeau says:

    During this season of growth in my life, when things start spraling like they almost always do I separate myself the world and go into hiding in my heavenly farher’s arms and when I can’t necessarly escape physically I do it by playing worship music as loud as I can and worship Him.

  101. One thing I would love to share is Every morning 🙂 My kids, me and if daddy hasnt left let yet( he loves to do this too), We put on the Armor of God. We start with our helemt of Salvation, all the way through to the Sword of the Spirit( the word of God) and finish by quoting 3 verses. We actually point or act as if we are slipping on the whole armor. And some days the kids are really into it and put it on, then, of course their are other days they just say it. Which use to bother me but like Daddy is soo good at, He quites my soul and reminds me that they know. And I really believe that this makes a differance, especialy since I cant always be at school or friends houses and as much as I dont like it, I cant be everywhere. And being a mama is some work! 2 boys and 1 girl and I LOVE it. Ups and downs, they are my oppratunites to minister about how Great our God is! Like for example, bad dreams, recent* As we finish our prayer, my daughter says that she will have them and tries to assure me that it will happen. I on the other hand assure her that we just prayed but if we are doubting it, we need to say out loud that Jesus gaurds us and will send His angles out to denfend us, even as we sleep! Now before another word of doubt comes out of her mouth(and she tries) we sing. 🙂 My daughter loves to sing, one of her favorites is “I’ll fly away”. This really seems to calm her down and it helps. But I am just amazed at how early we start doubting and at times doubting God and what we prayed.. My boys on the other hand, are prayer worriors. They cover every family member and who ever comes across their little minds 🙂 They soak in that God can and will do what He says, plus they speak it. I try to encourge this soo much. And yes they do have their days(we all do) at night and we go over and count our blessings and what we have seen Our Father do 🙂 But I am always wondering if Im giving them the right tools, am I speaking enough encouragment, am I living a good enough example, will they make right choices, teenage years!(yikes) when that comes, will they remember.? I will say that I am very glad that I am not alone at this and I know their is other mama’s and dad’s out there feeling the same, I guess it is apart of being a parent and knowing that you are a major influnce. I thank Daddy, everyday for this. Sorry for just rambaling, I just wanted to talk. Now back to work 🙂 Have a Bless Thursday Everyone!

  102. Christina Anguiano says:

    When fear comes at me and I want to calm my fears, I turn on some worship music and put on my headphones and just crank it up. My headphones drowns out the noise and all the other thoughts that are running through my mind. It also makes me feel closer to Him. I get into the word once I sing praises to him. I remind my self that fear is not of Him and that I am His and because I am His I already have the victory.

  103. I have to reach for my Bible as well. There is nothing more comforting than reading God’s Word and praying when I am scared or frightened. I also use the Bible App…YouVersion. I love that one!! Each day is a new one, and each day I must trust God in everything. Thank you for what you are doing in the lives of women and girls everywhere!! God bless you!

  104. Nancy Huffman says:

    I’m growing! (I’ve also downloaded an audio Bible and will pull certain passages to the mp3 player part of my phone…..sometimes, I’ll turn it on – with the earbuds in my ears – and listen to God’s word as I try to fall asleep when having a bad night.)

  105. I’m so far from where I need to be, but one way I’m building my faith is by praying when I lay awake (instead of worrying) and by quoting Philippians 4:6-7 over and over and over, etc. until His peace has wrapped itself around my heart.

  106. One of the best things I do that can take away my fears/worries is to start naming all of the blessings God has given me. By the time I am done my heart is overflowing with joy and like the old song says I just can’t praise Him enough!

  107. This article was so timely. 2012 has been the hardest year of my life. I’m a single mom who has been out of work for 19 months. Along with this my son ran away with his girlfriend because I stopped the relationship. He was following God and it was not a Godly relationship, now he is not following God either. During the day I try as hard as I can to be strong for my daughter but at night I can’t help the tears. I am reading every scripture to remind me God is with me and I am growing!
    Thank you for sharing.

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