So, as some of you know, recently things have been slightly more interesting around these parts than I like, but God has definitely been teaching me and pulling me closer to His heart because of it. I read an excerpt from Max Lucado's fearless, and this is more or less my gut reaction to it, so bear with me ;)
The Lord is my light and my salvation, so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? - Psalms 27:1
Fear. What is Fear if not the opposite of anything good? Does happiness live with fear, can joy be present in fear's company? Can trust stand firm when fear strikes at its walls? Doubt, worry, anxiety: All byproducts of The Enemy's main weapon; Fear.
You see, Satan has no hold over us, he never created anything, he can't physically touch us. But he can mislead. Those whispers that you aren't good enough, not pretty enough, not strong enough; All lies trying to make you fear your trust in God's plan. What if things don't work, what if I can't see the way out? Questions like those course through us along with the adrenaline that Fear induces.
But take heart, stand your ground, find your courage.
The Lord is my light, the Lord is my salvation... Whom shall I fear? The Lord is my fortress... Why do I tremble? God doesn't go back on His promises. He promised to deliver us...
For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jer 29:11
I'll go ahead and share some of my own experience with fear, doubt, rejection; the whole nine yards. You see, currently I've been dealing with relationships, and it's actually been a really great opportunity for me to grow in maturity and faith. Basically, the lies that Satan has been whispering to me have been that I'm not good enough, or worthy. Other times when those attacks work, he moves on and taunts me by saying things like "Oh, you were so close. You'll never have that chance again." Or when I did finally make the right decision, he would stab me with doubt. Well guess what, Satan, I know your tricks, I know your lies. I know that God is on my side and that I made the proper decision. How? Why? Because I feel God's peace on me, my fear has been stripped away...
Imagine your life as if you just walked away from fear. What if the shrapnel in your heart was removed, piece by piece; every volatile fragment of pain wiped away? What would be left? Think about it for a second, don't just skim the rest of this. What if the things holding you back were cast aside? What if the lies of the Enemy were revealed as such? What would be left in your heart?
Imagine the life that Jesus wants us to live. In Matthew 8:26, He asks a simple question...
