“So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
— Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
John Wesley once said,
“I have never known more than fifteen minutes of anxiety or fear. Whenever I feel fearful emotions overtaking me, I just close my eyes and thank God that He is still on the throne reigning over everything and I take comfort in His control over the affairs of my life.”
That sounds almost impossible in our age of constant news, alerts, and worries about health, money, children, and the world. But Wesley wasn’t speaking from an easy, quiet life.
John Wesley (1703–1791) spent his days on muddy roads and in open fields, preaching the gospel across England, Scotland, Wales, and even America. He traveled an estimated 250,000 miles on horseback, often in harsh weather. He faced ridicule, stones thrown at him, angry mobs, slander, and exhaustion. Yet this is the man who said he never stayed in fear or anxiety longer than fifteen minutes.
How? Not because life was calm—but because he kept going back to the throne of God.
Scripture is full of this language of God’s throne:
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“The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.” (Psalm 103:19, NIV)
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“At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.” (Revelation 4:2, NIV)
In other words: no matter what changes on earth, heaven’s throne does not move.
Jesus knew our hearts would bend toward fear. Over and over, He commanded, “Do not be afraid.”
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“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life…” (Matthew 6:25, NIV)
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“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32, NIV)
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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27, NIV)
Jesus never minimized the reality of trouble. He simply insisted that His presence and His authority are greater than anything that scares us.
Wesley learned to turn those commands into a practice:
Whenever I feel fearful emotions overtaking me, I just close my eyes and thank God that He is still on the throne…
That is Philippians 4:6–7 lived out in real time:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (NIV)
Notice the pattern:
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Fear rises.
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We turn to God—immediately.
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We give thanks that He is still in control.
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His peace begins to guard our hearts and minds.
You may not feel that peace instantly. Wesley’s line about “fifteen minutes” isn’t a rule—it’s a testimony. It’s what he experienced as he built a habit of running to God instead of rehearsing his fears.
You can do the same.
When anxiety starts to swirl, you might simply pray:
“Father, I feel afraid. But You are still on the throne. You are not confused, surprised, or shaken. Thank You that my life is in Your hands.”
We don’t need to figure out every what-if when we know the Who that holds our future. You don’t have to see ten steps ahead. You just need to know that the God who reigns over galaxies also counts the hairs on your head (Luke 12:7) and holds your days in His book (Psalm 139:16).
We don’t need to worry about the future when we trust the One who owns it.
A Simple Practice for Today
When fear or anxiety rises today:
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Pause and close your eyes (if you can).
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Whisper: “God, You are still on the throne.”
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Thank Him specifically for one way He has cared for you in the past.
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Hand Him the situation that is scaring you, even if your feelings haven’t caught up yet.
Let that become your version of Wesley’s “fifteen minutes” — not a magic number, but a choice not to live in fear any longer than you have to, because your Father really is in charge.
As modern-day Esthers, we are not called to live fearlessly in our own strength, but to live faithfully under the authority of the King who sits on the throne. When you choose trust over anxiety, you not only guard your own heart—you also shine as a witness to the Jewish people and to a watching world. As part of Christian Women For Israel, you are standing in this generation to love God’s Word, love God’s people, and refuse fear as you bless Israel for such a time as this.
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
You told us, “Do not be afraid,” and sometimes that feels impossible.
I confess the worries I carry about my life, my family, and my future.
Thank You that the throne of heaven is not empty—
that You reign, right now, over every detail of my life.
Teach me, like John Wesley, to turn quickly from fear to thanksgiving.
When anxiety rushes in, remind me to look up and remember
that You are still on the throne and that my future belongs to You.
Guard my heart and mind with Your peace today.
In Your mighty name I pray, Amen.
Republished with Permission
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