Hannah Wickens shares how speaking God’s Word out loud can transform fear into faith. Through everyday moments with her family, she reminds us that the Word of God is truly living and active, shaping hearts and situations alike.
From day one, we taught our daughters to pray as a first response, and we’ve found it to be most effective when speaking the very Words of God – the Word that is ‘living and active and sharper than a double-edged sword’ (Hebrews 4:12). Speaking it out loud actually transforms situations: I have a few tales to share to reinforce this point.
My oldest daughter is nine years old and was due to perform a drama piece as part of a showcase to parents, the other day. She was unusually nervous. She excels at drama and isn’t ordinarily anxious as her natural aptitude supersedes fear. However, this was a particularly tricky monologue her teacher had chosen, and she asked me to pray. On our way to school, I prayed and then declared a few affirmations for her to repeat, about being brave and confident. Her response was “thanks mum, but I will stick to my Bible verse, ‘I can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives me strength’” (Philippians 4:13).
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I encouraged her, reminding her that proclaiming this verse out loud would inspire her heart in boldness.
Her countenance changed to one of confidence as she recited the verse, and I felt thoroughly reprimanded for suggesting a pseudo faith-builder in place of the genuine article. I encouraged her, reminding her that proclaiming this verse out loud would inspire her heart in boldness. She performed perfectly and everyone applauded enthusiastically.
A few days later, a mother was yawning at school drop-off. She explained to me the cause of her tiredness, recounting how most of her night had passed thinking about death, following the funeral of her best friend’s father the day before. I empathised, but didn’t mention faith, knowing that she was already aware of my position. And yet as I arrived home, I felt prompted to text her. I simply stated that I’d be happy to chat more extensively on the topic, and that I believe this life is momentary and a prelude to eternity: the main feast.
READ MORE: How dwelling on scripture ‘flicks off the worry-switch’
I read my text aloud to my husband who immediately replied that in the future I should include a scripture to support my stance, as the Word convicts and transforms. I could try and tackle the debate alone, or I could rely on the Word of God to do the heavy lifting for me! I knew he was right and agreed to include scripture in any further messages. I had been concerned about being too intense, but of course the greatest way to see heart revolution is through the Word.
I’ve since made a miraculous recovery from what could have been a life-threatening miscarriage.
Shortly after that episode, I had a stint in hospital. I’ve since made a miraculous recovery from what could have been a life-threatening miscarriage. I was 13 weeks and started bleeding profusely. It was one of the most traumatic incidents of my life and my daughters witnessed both the bleeding and my blacking out. However, amid stifling fear that tried to grip my heart, I cried out to God for a word. I had memorised countless verses over the years, but didn’t want a factory sample, I was desperate for fresh manna from heaven. And God met my request. The only verse on repeat like a loop in my mind was ‘you make my lot secure’ from Psalm 16. I literally clung to that verse as if it were the person of Jesus in my presence. And that verse sustained me. I knew it to be true, both from previous times God had healed me and because I knew he still had good plans for me on earth.
READ MORE: I tried everything to ease anxiety but in the end it was memorising scripture that brought me peace
And, when my husband was able to join me in A&E, I asked him to read the Word continuously, out loud. In that time, I went from passing blood clots the size of lemons, to my cervix closing and not needing surgery! It was literally a miracle. I knew without a doubt that it was the Word of God that had shifted the atmosphere and enabled both of us to fight fear with faith and to trust our Almighty Father.
The Word is ALIVE and ACTIVE. I have lived and breathed this truth on so many occasions, and these are three simple stories that demonstrate how easy it is to weave the Word into your day, to witness his transformational power.
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