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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Trust Replaces Fear

"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." ~ Psalm 9:9-10

It hit me like a lightening bolt as  I read this verse.  Trust.  The key to living my word for 2014 - "Fearless" - is in trusting God.

As if God himself had leaned over my shoulder, pointed at the words and whispered: "Here's where you need to start". With trust.  

I have trouble trusting God.

That's a hard thing to admit. But there it is... I don't fully trust God.  Not completely.  Not the way He would have me trust Him.
 
I realized that although I say I trust Him.  Although I want to trust Him completely.  There are areas I hold back.  Times I try to go my own way.  Fix things my way.  Areas of uncertainty.  And fear.

I know I don't have to be afraid. I know God keeps His promises.  He has plans to prosper me.  He loves me.  He will never leave me or forsake me. Scripture tells me these things over and over again.  I can trust Him.  Completely.

But there has still been a small corner in the back of my mind waiting to be hurt, letdown, disappointed, found lacking somehow.  Even by God. 

Seeing this clearly for the first time shook me to my very core.

Maybe the realization of and admitting the lack of trust... the fear to trust... is that first step towards complete and total surrender. The first step to living FEARLESS.

It won't be easy - this letting go. But a life lived without trusting God - really trusting Him - is a life lived in fear.

Trust replaces the fear.

The knowledge that God has this, that it's all part of His plan.  It pushes the fear away and frees us to walk the path He places before us.  Where ever that path leads us.

Trust. Without reservation.  Without holding back.  Without fear

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