"FEAR"

We all experience it from time to time. Some can be stuck in it, yet a little fear can be healthy and protective at times. Each of us must ask ourselves if our fear is out of proportion to the circumstance, and has it become a stumbling block to our faith that we have in Jesus? I myself, have a terrible anxiety about driving in the snow. Is it true that I lack experience and I don't drive a car equipped for snow driving? Yes! But is it also true that my "potential fear" is out of balance? Before my husband died, it was natural and easy for me to rely on him to drive us around in winter conditions. Now I don't have that choice and must get to work, driving along icy roads with all the other early morning drivers. So the Lord and I must have some good old prayer talks on those wintry mornings before I can step into my car.

The word, fear, in the Hebrew language means, terror; make to shake; a sudden alarm; dread. And God is telling us not to be cast down, broken, discouraged or even be confused by our fear, because He is our strength. The Lord will fortify us in our time of need. Who is strong here? He is. This is His work to make each of us strong and we only have to draw upon His strength for each step we are on. The Lord says in Isaiah 41:10, "I am" and "I will". It is a promise, a covenant that God has made (past tense) to those who call upon Him (as it was for the Nation of Israel in Isaiah’s time as they faced the battle ahead) and it is for the believer today. The Lord is El Shaddai, God Almighty, and in Himself has made the covenant for us.

Some of you are dealing with life changing trials today and fear has gripped you. I know. I know what it is like to wait for the diagnosis to come back and then to have that diagnosis change your whole life; to have a child walk away from their faith; to face life single; to be jobless; not knowing how to pay the bills; to face moving from your home and starting all over. I know. I know. And I pray that Jesus gives each of you a touch today, and that you can encourage yourself in the power of God's Spirit to face that trial and not be suspicious of the Lords goodness toward you, because at times we can go down that incorrect thought process. God has promised to uphold us, and to sustain us during those hard places and He can be trusted.

How would Jesus want each of us to handle our fears? I believe we must acknowledge what it is that is dragging away our peace from what is rightfully ours to have. I believe it is a discipline of faith to rest in the character of God (not franticly trying to obtain peace) but drawing on what we already have within us as Christ Jesus dwells in each of His children. Having peace with Christ is wholeness to our soul.

As I built my muscle of faith and stepped out into my car, I was able to drive one more snowy day with The One who helps me be more than a conqueror. Although I may have had a death grip on my steering wheel (choking that wheel hard enough to irritate my arthritis), I was also able to lift my eyes in amazement to see the beauty surrounded in the stillness of snow covered trees and thank the Creator for the creation.

We must first admit to the Lord where we have fallen short, with our weakness of fear and doubt… Repent of them and trust the Lord to strengthen us with Himself. So maybe tomorrow I will face my other fear of driving across high bridges. :)

 

 

May it be our desire that we be women who live in the present and are aware of the world around us. May we take notice of the blessings God gifts to each of us, and always long to hear His whispers. Shall we also pray with a more purposeful focus on God’s will? And as we stay connected in our relationship with Christ, we will become more thankful followers. Let us commit to doing this together! Close your eyes…Open your heart, let God’s Spirit empower you today.