Fear will stop you dead in your tracks. It will make you distrust your own shadow. Fear will divide you from love and have you questioning the truth. It’s staggering how fear is so destructive in and of itself.
By the way, it’s true – fear is a liar. The goal of it is to keep a strangle hold on our heart, rob our peace, separate us from others, and ultimately destroy us.
Don’t Live In Fear
Personally, I can’t live like that. I refuse. I choose to pay attention, have my eyes wide open but not be consumed by all the troubles at hand. You can be wise and fearless at the same time. Pretty sure God never intended us to be consumed with anxiety and fear. That would be the other guy – the enemy of our soul.
Yes I fully know who I am. I know my own strengths and weaknesses. This current rearranging of life has mentally kicked my butt. Whatever was normal or abnormally normal to each of us, has changed. Some in big ways; some in small, but life as we knew it, has changed. I can tell myself (and do) all the words, all the truths, and all the inspiration. I’m still tired. And, it’s okay. I’m also still strong.
“If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trusted, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?” (Jeremiah 12:5)
Basically we have the current opportunity to learn to walk with the footmen so later we can run with the horsemen. It’s an ongoing process; it’s a journey. One step at a time.
Pace yourself.
What If…
Prior to writing this blog my heart was heavy; my fears were suffocating. I was having too many ‘what ifs’ (not good ones) run through my mind. I felt heavier and heavier; weighted down and too weary to go on. It felt like there was a deeper level of anxiety I had fallen into.
I took a brief moment to turn on worship music (and turn off the news). Immediately my soul felt like it caught on fire. The song playing was ‘Fear No More’ by The Afters. I sobbed and began to worship God, and all of a sudden the fears and all the ‘what ifs’ and the heavy burdens vanished as I turned my eyes off of fear and on to Jesus. “When anxiety was great within me, Your consolation brought me joy.” (Psalm 94:19)
His grace and love and strength and peace were greater than the sum total of all my cares. Fear laid down at His feet. Fear had no power in His presence.
Finding The Safe Place
Nothing in the world ( or in my corner of it) has changed, but my heart ran to the safe place I know so well. Peace was restored. Hereafter I will try not to wait so long to cast my cares on Him. He truly brings a peace the world can NOT give; and the world can’t take it away. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)
“Every anxious thought that steals my breath.
It’s a heavy weight upon my chest.
As I lie awake and wonder what the future will hold.
Help me to remember that You’re in control.
You’re my courage when I worry in the dead of night.
You’re my strength ’cause I’m not strong enough to win this fight.
You are greater than the battle raging in my mind.
I will trust You, Lord.
I will fear no more.”
(‘Fear No More’ by The Afters)
The lyrics of ‘Fear No More’ were truth to me. They resonated deeper than that level of anxiety I had sunk to. No pit is too deep but God’s truths are deeper still. He truly calmed the storm of fear raging in me.
“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13)
Basically, God came to His fearful child and held her hand. I am changed.
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