Finding Peace in the Midst of Fear: A Christian Counselor's Journey

Life can bring unexpected challenges that shake us to our core, leaving us overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty.

As a Christian counselor, I’ve walked alongside many people struggling with these feelings, but nothing prepared me for the fear I faced when my husband, Neal, was diagnosed with stage four cancer. In this blog, I share my personal journey of battling fear, discovering God’s perfect love, and learning how His peace can carry us through even the darkest times. If you’ve ever felt consumed by fear or uncertainty, I hope my story and the lessons I’ve learned can encourage you to lean into God’s love and experience the freedom and joy He offers.

Overcoming Fear

One of the scariest moments of my life came when my husband, Neal, was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer at just thirty-eight years old. The news was devastating, and fear gripped my heart like never before.

If you’ve ever found yourself in a situation where you have no control and everything feels uncertain, then you know the overwhelming sense of helplessness that can consume you.

We were fortunate to have a strong support system—compassionate doctors, family, friends, and most importantly, God. But even with all that, nothing could fully prepare us for the journey ahead.

I’ll never forget the doctor's face when he told us they had found a mass on Neal’s colon. "We need to operate tomorrow," he said. Within hours, we were talking to the Cancer Care team, facing the terrifying reality that Neal’s life was on the line.

The surgery was long—nearly six hours as doctors meticulously removed sections of his colon, searching for healthy tissue. Though the process made the recovery harder, it was essential to his healing.

While Neal was in surgery, I felt the weight of our three young boys at home, scared and confused about what was happening to their dad. I was constantly torn between being strong for them and managing my own fear.

One night, after an exhausting day at the hospital, I was driving home in the rain. Overwhelmed and exhausted, my emotions finally broke free. I began to cry, pleading with God: What are we supposed to do next? The sense of abandonment was suffocating, and I felt lost.

In the midst of my desperate prayer, something unexpected happened. A voice—so gentle, yet so clear—whispered, “I love you.” It was a moment of pure, divine intervention that cut through the fear, though I wasn't ready to fully grasp it.

I responded with frustration: “I don’t understand, God. I need more right now. I need answers. I need help with this disease.”

What I couldn’t see then, and what God was trying to show me, was that perfect love casts out fear. That truth would take time to sink in, but it was the start of my journey toward understanding how to replace fear with peace.

Finding Peace in the Midst of Fear

The journey from that rainy night to fully embracing God’s peace was not short, and it’s one I continue to walk today. Maybe you're on a similar path.

We live in a world where fear often feels overwhelming—whether it's fear of the unknown, failure, or losing something precious. The weight of those fears can paralyze us, but I’ve learned a powerful truth: God doesn’t want us to carry that fear.

His love is steadfast, unshakable, and unconditional. It doesn’t depend on the circumstances we’re in, our ability to control the situation, or even our doubts. His love relentlessly pursues us, pushing out the fear that tries to take hold of our hearts.

But here’s what I’ve come to realize: Embracing God’s peace requires intentionality. It’s an active choice to trust His promises over our fears. God’s peace isn’t passive. It guards our hearts and minds when everything else feels like it's falling apart.

What I Learned About Fear and God’s Love

If you’re facing fears today—whether it’s fear of the unknown, failure, or loss—know that God’s peace is available to you. It may not immediately change your situation, but it will change the way you walk through it.

God’s perfect love can cast out your fear, just as it did for me. Lean into His promises and let His peace guard your heart. In moments of uncertainty, His love is enough to sustain you, just as it did for me that night on the highway.

If you’re ready to discover how to replace fear with peace and experience the fullness of God’s love, I encourage you to dive deeper into the lessons and stories found in my book, 12 Habits for a Sound Mind and Joyful Life.

This week marks the official launch, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you. Inside, you’ll find practical steps to break free from fear, embrace God’s promises, and cultivate a life filled with joy and emotional freedom.

👉 Click here to order your copy today and start your journey toward a sound mind and joyful life.