Last month, I wrote about the words we say… specifically to our teenage children. How our words carry power and trickle down to the deepest parts of our souls—both theirs and ours.
This month, I thought I’d focus on what we hear or maybe what we should choose to hear. Reading Scripture I can’t ignore the countless verses of instruction for a real need in my life—Fear.
I think of the Christmas story, how the angel Gabriel greeted Mary with the words “Do not be afraid for you have found favor with God.” Or the exhortation to Joseph, “Do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” The shepherds were greeted with the same command, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
But didn’t angels evoked these fears? I don’t encounter many angels, so how do we turn our backs on the everyday fears we face when uncertainty is all around us?
Health concerns, relationship tensions, financial stressors and trying to figure out what my future holds. Will I ever find my calling in life? Can I really have purpose in my dead-end job?
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord, your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
There’s two truths I notice…
- It’s a command, NOT a suggestion.
If God gives us a command then it must be possible to follow what He’s telling us to do—whether within ourselves or by His strength. When it comes to fear, I usually need help. Ask Him for help.
2. God doesn’t promise to make life easier, but He does make assurance that He will always be with us.
What a fear-quenching thought. If God is with me then what do I have to be afraid of? Open yourself up to the reality that the challenges of life will always exist, the good news is that God will walk with you no matter what.
Consider with me the possibility of living without fear. Can you imagine the amount of joy and peace that would exist in your soul? I would do anything to live without fear… You?
Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly, beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us.
Ephesians 3:20
Fear won’t stop when life calms down—it never does. The secret to living without fear is to recognize that the Holy Spirit is in you. When Jesus left this earth He gave us a gift—Himself—forever walking beside us.
This Christmas we have a reason to rejoice, in fact we have so many reasons to rejoice. But the greatest gift of all is Jesus. Love that came down to earth.
To save us from ourselves.
To lead us to salvation.
To deliver us from fear by giving us His Spirit.
Do you hear what I hear? It’s only a whisper, but it’s beckoning me to cast fear aside and embrace the peace of mind that only He gives.
Merry Christmas my friends!
Wendi
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