Monday, May 24, 2010

Life without Fear?

"We're taking a survey on this week's attendance cards: what's your greatest fear?" the pastor asked.

I listed some on a blank piece of paper so that DH could review them and check off his, and I'd write that down.
  • lose a child
  • lose a spouse
  • lose health
  • lose job
  • bankruptcy
  • business failure
  • natural disaster
  • war
  • unknown

He ultimately picked job loss/bankruptcy as his biggest fear. Mine would probably be lose a child.

Interesting.

We are currently experiencing what it is like to go through extended job loss. Bankruptcy is out of the picture for now, but still could be a possibility.

We recently got a scare of what it could be like to lose a child. (Still praising God for his merciful protection and healing).

And, through it all, God has been faithful. God's people have been His hands and feet of love, support, and generosity. I am still his beloved daughter.

My pen got itching to write and the following spilled out:

In light of those profound fears, why should I cower before such petty concerns as

  • whether the work I put into my writing will turn out to be a waste of time
  • whether my writing is "good enough"
  • what people will think of me

If some of our worst fears have come true, and we are still safe in God's hands, how much more can I trust him to take bold steps? Whom then shall I fear?

Why let melancholy dim my outlook?

Why stay isolated and inward fearing loss of approval/reputation/image when nothing can separate my from God's love?

Any pain and sadness that comes from failure or tragedy will be all too real, but it will fade compared to the weight of eternity and God's power and his enduring grace and love.

I'm free to love with ABANDON!

The adventure waits ...

We're about to embark ...

We're already on our way ...

I will not shirk from hard work.

There are no guarantees of results or success, but I'm done wasting my
potential because of Fear, Timidity and Hopelessness. I choose Purpose,
Discipline, Commitment, Courage and HOPE!

Bold words. Inspiring words!

They filled me with warmth, light and joy as I wrote them, and I sang with abandon as the message on Joshua and courage drew to a close.

And then, I had another more sobering thought:

Fear isn't just an emotion.

It's a habit.

It's a collection of automatic responses and defense mechanisms.

It will truly take becoming a living sacrifice by daily renewing my mind to start to live as though I have no fear.

I think I'll start by meditating on/memorizing Joshua 1:9 (click the link for other translations, Amplified version below):

Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

2 comments:

  1. What a lovely gentle parenting Christian blog in first rate literary style!☺
    MS

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh, the point about fear.
    I like the verse "There is no fear in love; but perfect love cast out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love"
    To me that implies treating others including children well, because of course, fear goes along with rough, punitive treatment as well as threats of.
    Does that make sense?

    ReplyDelete

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