By Claudia Koenig
We were traveling on a very tight schedule, but while we were in North Carolina, I had the opportunity to stop by a Bible study given by a woman of the Word.
The study was on Christ’s crucifixion, and she detailed the historical account of Jesus’s suffering. Addressing the need of every woman through the scriptures about Jesus, she said that He was bound. I thought, “He was bound for us.” She asked, “What has you bound, lack of finances, a sickness, a betrayal?” This was a very intimate, powerful touch of God’s Word into each woman’s heart.
Later, we had an appointment with two young women who were assisting us with out tour of an area. I had grown very anxious due to all the physical challenges that I have been through caused by fear and doubt. These are the enemies of faith. As we sat with the women and went over the tour details, I had a moment in which I began to speak about the Bible study. I shared the details of Christ that were given in the study. The two women sat quietly listening. I didn’t know where this conversation would end up. The lead woman said, “I have chills all over me.”
The lead young woman confided in us and said, “I get very anxious.” As she began to give some details, I thought, “How in the world am I going to minister to someone with anxiety when I am suffering from the same thing?” I simply didn’t know how I could be an example of Christ’s peace when I, myself, needed Him.
But I confessed to them my experience with anxiety and what causes it: fear, worry, doubt, and uncertainty about the future. The lead woman nodded her head, saying, “Yes.” She began to share that her parents had given her a Bible and told her it was up to her to read it. They did not want to push her into anything and said that her own faith had to come on her own account.
This was my open door to share salvation in Christ with her. I asked her if she had ever prayed to ask Jesus to be her personal Savior. I explained what this meant and what the result would be of her belief and confession of Jesus as her own Savior of her soul – eternal life in Heaven with God.
I then asked her if she would like to pray. She said that she would. We prayed together, as my husband and the other young woman, who was being trained, observed. The lead young woman gave her life to Jesus. Afterward, she said, “Thank you! My parents are going to be so happy!”
I explained the importance of going to church and getting into a Bible study. She was very interested and willing. I then asked the other young lady if she knew Jesus. She said she did and gave her story. She said she could sense the Holy Spirit in our conversation when the other lady gave her life to Christ!
“Abba, Father, I am still very anxious. It seems that the enemy tries everything he can to stop me from having the freedom in Your Son to tell of Him. I am in need of You, God.”
“Jesus, Son of God, even when I am suffering, You use it to share with others the human need for You. Come to my rescue, that I may tell of Your wondrous works!”
“Holy Spirit, You drew me to attend the Bible study so you could use it in the place to where you led me—where one woman was in need of more of Jesus and the other in need of knowing Jesus as her Savior. Day to day, You are at work to tell others about Jesus. Help me, Holy Spirit, in my weakness, to know that Christ is strong in salvation, no matter what I am going through.”
“Save souls, Messiah, save souls!”
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:10
For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. - 2 Corinthians 13:9
Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. - Hebrews 11:34
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. - Romans 8:15
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. - John 16:33
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. - 1 John 5:4
All scripture is from KJV.