Facing Fear

F.E.A.R.

False Evidence Appearing Real

So I've heard this many times in my life, but because fear was so strong in my reality, I couldn't understand what it meant.  Something that is not true but is represented that way!  That is pretty much how the world operates and it can be a challenge to see truth when fear is the norm.

So what have I feared...or should I say what have I not feared? One of my greatest sources of fear was the safety of my children. Oh I know this is major important and I am a protector of these beautiful blessings, but wow. can it get crazy when you live in fear!! I still am trying to find balance in this area, and there are times when I find myself wanting to fall into old patterns. Reclusing, staying in a bubble, keeping everyone super safe and in MY control.

Control, ick, that other yucky word. That motivates fear more than anything. Our desire to control life and make it happen according to our plans, protecting our belief system even if it brings no peace to our lives. I've always tried to understand how to find this balance, and tried to find some good examples of parents who can do this well. This is hard, because it seems like a lot of people live at one extreme or the other. So, God said to me, "don't look to anyone's example but mine, I will lead you IN THE MOMENTS OF LIFE on how to protect your children. I love them more than you, ya' know." Not sure where it is in the Bible, but I am constantly reminded that "worry will not add one day to your life." If it doesn't add days, well guess what, it's taking them away. Stealing precious time. That is fear; worry and control robbing you of the joys of a relationship with God.

I had this amazing revelation the other day about fear.  Most of the time, the things we sit and worry about are not even close to as bad as we envision them. We work up this master plan in our head about how we can prevent something bad from happening only to find that the presence of God trumps fear, everytime, if we allow him in every moment of our lives.  Jason and I talked about how to make this new home "safe" for our kids and my fear meter was rising as I thought about "potential" accidents waiting to happen.  But God, our amazing Daddy, has been speaking truth to my heart concerning my fear-based mind chatter: 

I HAVE THE ABILITY AND PRESENT CONNECTION WITH HIM TO HAVE THE KNOWLEDGE TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS ABOUT EVERYTHING WITHOUT HAVING TO WASTE ONE MOMENT IN WORRY OR FEAR!

This post is not about other people, but other people will also feed into this fear.  I know it is usually out of love, but almost everything we seem to do lately, someone will have a fear response.  I don't think that it is actually any different than before, but I am becoming aware of what fear IS so I can detect it and release it so much quicker.  I also think I have communicated so long in this fear dialog with those around me, that it seems like the natural thing to talk about.  It's good that I am seeing this!  I do have to guard my heart against other's words because I am still growing in this area,  but not accepting the fear response as truth is changing my life!  If God is showing me direction in my life, I choose to hear that above fear, from myself or others. 

I can look back and see many events in my life that have sparked the fear fire, and that fire kept spreading until it almost burned me out.  The real me, the fun, laugh at life me.  I seriously haven't laughed, really laughed, as much as I have since receiving this revelation about releasing fear.  I actually have been hearing real laughter, not the forced kind, come out of my mouth.  I know that sounds crazy, but I couldn't see how fear was taking over my life, literally stealing my laughter!  It has kept me from enjoying simple things, from developing friendships, from being myself, the wonderful ME God created!  Fear, stupid, stupid fear has robbed so much from me.  But guess what, no longer, I have a GIANT fire extinguisher, (a.k.a. Christ in Me the Hope of GLORY!), ready to put out the flames of fear.  The fire is really small and contained right now, and it won't be long before the embers turn to ashes. 

I know that there is much talk about living in the end of days, and my spirit tells me that we are, so I know that many things are gonna keep happening that will prompt fear to rise up in our hearts.  I want to learn more about overcoming fear each day.  We were not given a spirit of fear, and I do not want to live that way ever again.  I want to operate in a constant state of supernatural peace despite the circumstances.  Sitting and worrying about what might happen if I don't do the right thing will steal my days and interfere wirh my purpose here on Earth.  I am choosing to open my heart to allow God to heal all those years of living in fear and guiding me to peaceful rest during these last days.  It will be amazing I know when He returns, but I choose now to begin transforming my heart and walking in love, seeing myself as He sees me, in Christ  It is a choice, and I choose to give it to God. 

• Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4)
• 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)
• "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again." (Exodus 14:13)
• Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)
• For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)
• The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
• But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." (Luke 2:10)
• So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can Man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:6) 
• Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)