Overcoming Fear

Today I want to encourage you by sharing a message about overcoming fear. I explain the difference between good fear and bad fear and remind you that fear is not from the Lord.

Inspired by real praise reports from the Tipping Point community, these testimonies celebrate God’s faithfulness, answered prayers, and the miracles He is still doing today. We pray they encourage your faith and remind you that God is still at work.

By Kari Smalley Gibson, TP Community Storyteller

I met Elizabeth in 2016, shortly after our family moved to Texas. She was in her 80s, painting in her garage, when she popped out to say hello as we walked our dog.

With her thick Hungarian accent, incredible spunk, and endless stories, we became fast friends.

Elizabeth had survived World War II and the Red Army before immigrating to America and becoming a hairdresser in New York City. She had endured tremendous trauma and didn’t trust easily. It took time—and quite a few popovers—to win her friendship.

What Elizabeth didn’t know was that I had recently lost my dad. I had prayed for God to bring someone into my life whom I could love and who would love me like my dad did.

Years later, Elizabeth confessed that when we met, she had been terribly lonely and at the end of her rope.

God knew what we both needed.

We became family. Elizabeth called me her daughter and she called my children, her grandchildren!

Elizabeth was a strong Catholic who believed in God and faithfully watched Mass when she could no longer attend. But having a personal relationship with Jesus was foreign to her.

For ten years, I shared the Good News with her, and she would tell me, “God doesn’t love me. I’ve been through too much,” or, “I’ve done too much wrong for Him to love me back.”

I kept loving her. And I kept praying. At 92, Elizabeth finally sold her home and moved into a wonderful senior community. One week later, she fell and broke her foot. At the hospital, doctors unexpectedly discovered a brain tumor and told me she might have only two weeks.

Days later, Elizabeth and I sat alone in her bedroom looking through her treasured old coins and jewelry. After hours of stories, she suddenly looked into my eyes and asked:

“What is salvation?”

Then:

“What does Savior mean?”

After ten years of prayer, the moment had come. I could physically feel the Holy Spirit there in that room! I explained the Gospel simply, and Elizabeth told me she was ready to ask Jesus into her heart. We prayed together and when we finished, she raised her arms and declared: “Jesus is my Savior.”

Five hours later, Elizabeth suffered a massive stroke and never spoke again. Two weeks later, she went home to Jesus.

The Savior Elizabeth once believed couldn’t possibly love her had loved her all along.

If you’ve been praying for someone for years, please don’t give up. Jesus said we “should always pray and never give up” (Luke 18:1, NLT).

Keep praying. Keep loving big. Keep sharing truth. Jesus is working even if you can’t see it. You never know when the miracle will come.

Tipping Point family, if God has done something in your life, big or small, we would love to hear your story. You never know who may need the encouragement of hearing what God has done for you! Please share your testimony with us at testimonies@tippingpointnow.com. And if you have someone you’ve been praying for, maybe for many years, please don’t give up. We would be honored to pray with you and believe alongside you. Send your prayer request to prayer@tippingpointnow.com.

God doesn't use fear. It never comes from God. And I'm going to say this to you. And I want you to listen to me. You're fearless. —Jimmy Evans