Sunday Inspiration: Fear

Sunday Inspiration: Be Not Afraid

Sunday Inspiration: Not Afraid

The End of Fear

At the end of 2013, when I began thinking about the concept of "One Word" for 2014 - I never imagined that Fearless would be revealed to me.  But there it was - over and over.  Fearless.  And that is the word I adopted for the past year.

The word God revealed to me and has used it to show me so much about myself and my fears.

How fear is its own for of doubt and disbelief. That the key to being truly fearless is trust.  Trusting Him and His plans for me.  Being willing to step out in obedience despite my own fears and concerns.

How I have allowed my fears to rule me and guide my life rather than following His plans for me.

And constantly reminding me: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

Am I completely fearless now?  Am I free from worry?  No... it still creeps in.  More often than I would really like to admit.  But it's progress in the right direction. 

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Are You Living In Fear?

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
 ~ Joshua 1 9

How much of what we do - or don't do - in life in driven by fear?

Fear of discomfort.  Fear of stepping outside our comfort zones.  Fear of not having enough.  Not being enough.  Fear of failure.  Being found lacking in some way.  Fear of disapproval.  Rejection.  Embarrassment.  Of being hurt.  

 

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Do we let these fears control us?  Distract us?  Dictate to us?  

I timidly raise my hand and truthfully admit that I do.  (Timidly... there's that fear again.  Fear that all of you reading this will judge me for this and find me lacking.)

When I should be allowing only God - His truth, His promises, what He has to say about me and what he wants for me - to guide me and lead me.

Not the fear.

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Under Attack

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" ~ John 10:10

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The enemy attacks me over and over and over again in the same sensitive area - my confidence.

I hear the whispers that I am not good enough, pretty enough, smart enough... that I am just... not enough.  That others are judging me and finding me lacking. Because I am lacking in some vital way.

It's painful.  It's terrifying.  It fills me with fear.  It can paralyze me and keep me from stepping out and chasing my dreams.

"But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one" ` 2 Thessalonians 3:3

I have to remind myself daily to shut out the lies.  To replace them with God's truth.  That I am loved.  I am cherished.  I am enough through the only judge that matters.

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Fear and Insecurity

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1:9

 Is insecurity, fear, and self-doubt its own form of sin?

When we believe we aren't _____ enough for whatever is placed before us to do - we are doubting God's wisdom and His power.

We are essentially saying to Him:

"You are not enough."

"You have made a mistake"

"You are wrong"

"You might let me down"

It's time to let go of the fear.  Let go of the insecurities.  Let go of the self-doubt.

Turn to God's truth when thoughts full of fear and insecurity come creeping in.

He promises that His grace is enough.  (2 Corinthians 12:9)

He promises that He has plans to prosper us.  To give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)

He promises to complete a good work in us (Philippians 1:6)

He promises that He created each of us to do the work He prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10)

He promises that He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Take your courage from the Lord.  Trust Him.

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Controlling Fear (repost)

originally posted at My Really Real Reality on June 8, 2012

 The words stared up at me from the page.  "In those early years, I was afraid of so many things that I tried to control everything" (Lisa Burke)  The sentence rang suspiciously true in my own life, and set my mind spinning.

Is the need to control things, to be in control - a symptom of fear? 

The answer that came back to me was a resounding: Yes, it probably is.

So many women are managing their family - with kids in umpteen different directions, their homes, a marriage or other relationship, work, etc, etc, etc.As women we so often feel the need to control things.  To manage things.  To multi-task.  Admit it - how many of you can say you have "control issues"?
What would happen if we let something so?  What is the worst that will Really happen if we just take a step back and let a few chips fall where they may? 

Are we afraid of appearing not good enough?  Of being perceived as a bad mother?  That our relationship will fail?  That we will be found lacking or a failure? 

Can we find the courage to relinquish control of a few of our fears to the Lord?  To jump into the deep end.  Let go of the handlebars.  Take our hands off the wheel.   To "let go and let God".

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I doubt the consequences would be as devastating as many of us imagine.  In fact, we might find a sense of freedom, especially from those fears that have control of us.

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Empty

It was Ash Wednesday.  The beginning of the Lenten season.

And so I fast for the day. 

Not so I can consider myself righteous.  Or appear pious.  Or to be deserving.

It's not about me at all.

It's a denying of self.  An emptying of self.

To make room for Him and His holy Spirit to come in.  To fill every part of me.  

My body, heart, and mind.  My life.

Letting go of fear.  Trusting God to sustain me and provide for me.

And always faithful - He shows up and makes His presence known.

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