From Fear to Freedom

Celebrating 10 years of writing on thescarlettroad.com AND sharing the post I wrote for Carolina College of Biblical Studies Spring 2025 edition of their magazine “Common Ground.” Thanks to Kellie and Kristin’s edits and graphic design! These talented women made my article come alive!

“God cares about the anguish of our souls. He wants us to step out into the light of His grace and find healing.”

As a child, I was afraid of the dark. This fear would grow into additional fears and multiplied worries which incarcerated my mind. Once I became an adult, panic attacks joined the brigade. I felt confined and alone by these paralyzing battles. And even though, as a child, I had let down my defenses and placed my trust in Jesus as my Savior and knew that He had set me free from the captivity of sin, the flesh and the devil, I felt helpless. However, over time, “the Helper” graciously broke through walls of pain and hurt, and even more restricting, a state of unforgiveness. By giving Him full access, I in turn found a place of refuge! Along with the gift of salvation, “my Helper, the Holy Spirit of God” is my greatest gift.

The Ultimate Deliverance

In his book, A Theology of Biblical Counseling, Heath Lambert makes this statement: “The Bible is a glorious book about salvation, the ultimate deliverance from all of our difficulties” (p. 299). This has proven true in my life as well as others I counsel. “All of God’s resources in Scripture—his teaching about who he is, the nature of Christ’s person and work, the operations of the Holy Spirit, the biblical categories of sin and suffering, everything—come together to create a sufficient resource for counseling” (p.65).            

God’s Word as Counselor

God’s Word counseled my heart: “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death” (Romans 8:2). And “…the Spirit of truth…abides with you, and will be in you” (John 14:17). God’s Word is powerful to meet the needs of our heart. It is not surprising that the largest book of the Bible is packed with reminders of His goodness and faithfulness. In fact, the Psalms are where we can honestly and openly pour our hearts out to Him and find the strength and yes, courage too, that we need to continue moving forward even when our circumstances do not change. The Psalms illustrate how to respond to turmoil, to continue living out our hope in God, and find that brook where our thirsty souls are quenched!

Strength in the Psalms: A Song for the Soul

The Psalms are a refuge for our souls and a safe place to confess our guilt. Psalm 31 is a great place to start! Read it over and over; linger long in this song. Call out to the Lord; Fear the Lord through confessing sin in your life and forgiving those who have wronged you; then Trust the God of Truth to be with you and lead you and guide you every step of the way.

Healing through His Grace

Grief and sorrow are relentless and can take their toll pushing us into more and more isolation. Others may add to these wounds through slander, ostracizing, and even ignoring us all together. But God cares about the anguish of our souls. He wants us to step out into the light of His grace and find healing. In this way, He offers a refuge, a safe place for us to find He is that rock of strength where we can learn and be led and guided. When we come to that point where we trust Him, we will rejoice and be glad in His lovingkindness (Ps. 31:7).

“O love the Lord…Be strong, and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:23a & 24).

Bibliography

Lambert, Heath. A Theology of Biblical Counseling: The Doctrinal Foundations of Counseling Ministry. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2016.