As many of you know. . .our oldest daughter Abigail, our Princess recently married to a remarkable man of God. . .Chris PreJean.

In the days leading up to the wedding. . .based on a number of conversations. . .I knew without a doubt. . .that God was directing me to write seven reasons not to freak out.

I’m smart enough. . .not to attribute this inspiration to the behavior of any one person or group of people. . .I’m not even saying it was because of anyone connected to the wedding party.

I just know that I sensed in my spirit. . .an unction to write this teaching. . .for the greater universe of believers who either may be under intense pressure or just going through stuff.

Here are the seven reasons not to freak out.

1.         When you freak out. . .God’s not in charge.

Deuteronomy 29:5-6 in the Contemporary English Version says:

“I did these things so you would realize that I am your God." But the LORD must give you a change of heart before you truly understand what you have seen and heard.”

Years ago, there was a television show which I never personally watched. . .entitled “Charles In Charge.”

Here’s a revelation. . .Charles is not in charge and neither are you.

God Is In Charge.

Once you realize God is in charge. . .there’s no reason for you to freak out.

John 13:3 in God’s WORD Translation says:

“The Father had put everything in Jesus’ control. Jesus knew that. He also knew that he had come from God and was going back to God.”

The best way to not freak out. . .is to think like Jesus thinks.

Philippians 2:5 in the New Living Translation which says:

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”

When you’re tempted to freak out. . .just ask yourself. . .what would Jesus think about the situation. . .and what would He do.

Galatians 5:25 in the Amplified Bible says:

“If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]”

2.         When you freak out. . .you lose mental and emotional control.

When you freak out. . .you lose it. . .in every area of your life.

But, most importantly, you lose spiritual control.

Romans 8:8 in the New Living Translation says:

“That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.”

If you react in the flesh. . .you will never please God.

Think about that. . .the next time somebody cuts you off in traffic or does something to really tick you off.

If you get really mad about something somebody does or says. . .you lose control.

James 1:19 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.”

When most people become angry they lose control.

Have you ever thought about who gains control when you lose it?  The enemy does.  That’s why he wants you angry and filled with thoughts of reprisal against the one who has offended you.

When you’re caught off guard by unknown circumstances, situations and problems. . .you should take comfort in knowing. . .God wasn’t caught off guard.

Romans 8:9 in the God’s WORD Translation says:

“But if God’s Spirit lives in you, you are under the control of your spiritual nature, not your corrupt nature. Whoever doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ doesn’t belong to him.”

If you aren’t under the control of your spiritual nature. . .you will say and do stupid things.

Proverbs 11:9 in the Amplified Bible says:

“With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge and superior discernment shall the righteous be delivered.”

3.         Freaking out never solved a problem.

When you face a problem. . .don’t look at it as such. . .rather, see it as an opportunity to exercise your faith. . .trust God. . .prove His faithfulness. . .and be proved by Him.

Your faith will be strengthened and energized as you put your hope, trust and faith in God to solve every problem you’ve got.

Philippians 4:6 the Amplified Bible says:

“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.”

God solves your problems.

You had a sin problem. . .He solved it.

John 3:16 says:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

You had a sickness problem. . .He solved it.

1 Peter 2:24 says:

“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

You had a people problem. . .He solved it.

Acts 2:47 in the Amplified Bible says:

“. . .Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people.”

You had a financial problem. . .He solved it.

Galatians 6:7 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap.”

The list could go on. . .of problems. . .God solves.

So the question is. . .why freak out about something. . .that God can solve for you.

4.         When you freak out. . .you affect everyone around you.

You can be having a totally nice day. . .everything is right in the world. . .peace and tranquility abound. . .until someone pollutes the environment with the words of their mouth.

If you’re standing in line at a check-out counter and the person in front of you goes ballistic. . .it will affect your attitude, mindset and day. . .if you let it.

If you’re the one flying off the handle. . .freaking out about whatever. . .then you’ve released deadly toxins into the atmosphere of your surroundings.

How should you act and react to those who’re freaking out around you.

2 Peter 3:11 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Since all these things are thus in the process of being dissolved, what kind of person ought [each of] you to be [in the meanwhile] in consecrated and holy behavior and devout and godly qualities.”

In the midst of confusion and chaos. . .you can react one of two ways.

First, you can blow it. . .by the words of your mouth. . .or the actions of your response.

1 Corinthians 8:12 in the Amplified Bible says:

“And when you sin against your brethren in this way, wounding and damaging their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.”

When your actions. . .your witness. . .adversely affects others. . .God is not happy.

Luke 17:2 in the Amplified Bible says:

“It would be more profitable for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were hurled into the sea than that he should cause to sin or be a snare to one of these little ones [lowly in rank or influence].”

Second, God wants you to bring light into the darkness.

Isaiah 58:8 in the New English Bible says:

“Then your light will shine like the sunrise; your restoration will quickly arrive; your godly behavior will go before you, and the Lord’s splendor will be your rear guard.”

5.         Never freak out about things that don’t really matter

Ask yourself a question. . .is what you’re freaking out about. . .worth the mental anguish?

Will what you’re freaking out about matter next year?  Will you even remember the instance?

Focus on things that matter.

Dr. Seuss said:

“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”

I didn’t even know who Francis Chan was . . .until I looked him up and found he’s a Hong Kong born pastor and author.  He wisely said:

“Our greatest fear should not be of failure or of succeeding at things in life that don’t really matter.”

6.         When you freak out. . .you’re focusing on the problem instead of the solution.

Exodus 18:19 in the New International Reader’s Version:

"Listen to me. I'll give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must speak to God for the people. Take their problems to him.”

1)         Identify the problem

2)         Prayer

3)         Identify the cause

4)         Identify several possible solutions

5)         Pick the Best Solution

6)         Devise a plan with a specific timeline

7)         Inspect what you expect

Psalm 34:19 in the New Century Version says:

“People who do what is right may have many problems, but the Lord will solve them all.”

7.         Freaking out. . .doesn’t become you.

How do you want to be known?  How do you want to be perceived by friends or people you’ve never met?

Your reaction to adversity . . .will determine how you’re viewed.

If you’re viewed as someone who seemingly goes nuts every time something doesn’t go your way.

If you continually freak out

. . .not only will others see you that way. . .but more importantly. . .you will begin to believe that’s your typical response and it will become a habit.

In a negative context. . .you become what you believe you will be. . .by how you act and react.

Conversely, if your reactions are governed by applying the fruit of the spirit. . .then you will become what the Word says you will be.

Matthew 9:27-31 in the Message Bible says:

“As Jesus left the house, he was followed by two blind men crying out, “Mercy, Son of David! Mercy on us!” When Jesus got home, the blind men went in with him. Jesus said to them, “Do you really believe I can do this?” They said, “Why, yes, Master!” He touched their eyes and said, “Become what you believe.”

Let me say. . .the last four words again. 

You. . .”become what you believe.”

And, the choice is yours.

Romans 6:16 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.”

Finally, when adversity comes knocking on your door. . .don’t freak out. . .faith up.

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