“And when I was burdened with worries, You comforted me and made me feel secure.”—Psalm 94:19

I don’t know about you…

…but I’ve had a lot of dealings with “fear” in my lifetime.

And to be honest,

for most of my life

I’ve not dealt with it well.

I’ve let “fear” rule me.

I’ve let “fear” color my life,

I’ve let “fear” influence my decisions,

I’ve let “fear” shut me down.

And haven’t we all been there in different ways, at different times?

But guess what…

I’ve finally come to the realization

…that “fear” doesn’t own me.

Because Jesus does. 💝

And I’ve had to decide

that HE is Lord of my life

not “fear.”

So why would I choose to live as though fear owns my life?

It’s easy to slip into, I know.

Oh, how I know.

And sometimes, there are areas that fear deeply influences our lives,

and for a time, we may go without even realizing it.

Sometimes in the “overcoming” of one fear, I’ll then find myself caught off guard by another area of fear that I wasn’t able to perceive before.

But God is faithful! 💖💡He is transforming us, day by day, way by way!

“When I worried about many things, your assuring words soothed my soul.”—Psalm 94:19 (God’s Word Translation)

He takes us through the processes that we need, the realizations that we need…

because He loves us,

because He wants us to truly learn to LIVE our lives, alongside Him, as we face the “darkness of this world” in order to radiate HIS LIGHT, that His glory might be seen in the midst of the dark places!

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”—Romans 8:18

And God has this way of soothing our fears as we run into them,

and in this, as we run straight to Him,

He begins changing our perspective so that we can clearly see how much BIGGER He is than any fear!

He takes something in our lives that is completely “colored” by fear, and He so gloriously paints a different picture for us to perceive, for us to SEE and know… from His higher, heavenly perspective.

This is what I’m learning…

this is the process He is taking me through.

Layer upon layer…

Fear after fear.

Revelation after revelation.

He reveals the TRUTH that sets me free.

And here is a simple realization that He placed on my heart this morning:

Yes, in this life, we will encounter “fear”…

but we do not have to partner with it.

We do not have to allow “fear” to own us.

We do not have to agree with the “fear” that we run into, or with the fear that runs into us

…a “fear” that we find ourselves suddenly facing…

Yes, we may “feel” it…

but we can choose to feel/experience that fear in the moment

and DECIDE to say “no” to it.

How?
Why?

2 Timothy 1:7 💡

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].”—2 Timothy 1:7 AMP

I may run into a fear…

I may face a fear…

I may feel a fear…

…but I do not have to let that fear rule my life.

God’s Word says,

I do not have to let fear rule my decisions.

I do not have to let fear scare me away.

I do not have to let fear convince me.

I do not have to let fear sway me.

I do not have to let fear intimidate me.

This is a choice that I have to make, but I am empowered and led by His Spirit in this!

I must choose whether to be swayed and ruled by fear,

or to believe what God says is true.

And He teaches us, He reveals to us, He takes us through process to purify, to grow our capacity.

“When my anxious inner thoughts become overwhelming, your comfort encourages me.”—Psalm 94:19 ISV

In this life, we are never going to be “immune” to encountering fear…

but He makes us brave.

He gives us true sight,

that we may see the truth,

His truth that will set us free.

In Him, we can live “fearlessly” in the midst of any “danger zone” we may find ourselves in.

Because He says that we can!

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” -Jesus

Thank You, Lord. 💖 How You build me up with Your love and with Your truth! Thank You for taking me on this journey with You. God, will You show me the areas where I am not seeing or believing Your truth, and will You give me eyes to see what I need to see and to perceive, that I may be able to see it from a heavenly perspective. I need Your help and guidance every moment, Lord. God, help me to see the areas where fear is trying to rule over me, let me not be deceived. How You clear it all up, how You have, and are setting me free. ☀️

-Heather 🌺