I can be paranoid. On edge. Worried. Cautious. Overly anxious.
Basically fear. No matter how you label it, I have to fight it. And I have to fight it in such a way that I do not become blind to those things which I should be aware of, but also...not become consumed with that fear.
Because I do, much too easily.
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It's such a debilitating emotion. It cripples my soul and makes me want to give up. What is the point of continuing to fight and try when fear only creeps closer and closer?
There is every point. Because when fear grabs and jerks at my throat, it's the devil's talons sucking deep. And I can't live my life bathed in fear. I can't wake up to a day without hope or joy or peace. And I have to turn to the giver of those gifts, fall on my face and beg for His holiness to sweep through me.
But too often this is my last response. It's not my chosen direction and I give into the fear. Let it fill my chest until I can't breathe. It's not a pleasant way to live life. It's not an honest way to live life. Because God calls us to rise above the rest of the world. To put our trust in Him and Him alone.
That's not to say we shouldn't be aware or alert, watching the darkness around us. But it's everything about not letting that darkness slip in upon us.
I can't live in fear. So I make this stand.
I REFUSE to live in fear.
Fear can incapacitate us. I know it does me. I like your statement, "I REFUSE to live in fear" Excellent! So many things in this world cause us fear. If I could just remember who I am in Christ, His perfect love will cast out my fear! Great reminder to us Casey, thanks!
ReplyDeleteJulie@My Favorite Pastime(formerly My Only Vice)
It does, doesn't it Julie? It's a CHOICE. It's a CHOICE to give it all to God and trust Him and put Him first in my life and not the fear.
DeleteOh, Casey, thank you for this. Sometimes it is an intense process of praying the Scriptures for me. The battle is hard.
ReplyDeleteA few verses God has used to minister to me lately are: Ephesians 4:20-21, 2 Corinthians 4:8. Hope they might bless someone else today.
(I'm not a robot :)
At times I feel like I'm losing the battle against fear, but I need to remember it was won 2000 years ago on the Cross.
Yes it was, wasn't it Julia? And while we live in a world that can (and in some cases SHOULD incite fear) we can trust that God has already defeated it.
DeleteI can't help but think of 2 Tim. 1:7 "For God has NOT given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and sound mind".
ReplyDeleteFear never comes from Christ....satan wants to keep us stranded & alone. But victory is ours (believers)!!
Wanda, I was thinking of this verse as well the other day when I was writing this post. Why don't we (**I**) remember this more and turn to this in the FIRST place? It's an excellent reminder, thank you for sharing!
DeleteWanda, that's exactly the verse that came to mind for me too.
ReplyDeleteI can completely relate to what you're talking about, Casey. I go through the same struggles, but refuse to live in fear. Thank God that He is always there to ease, lift, and carry our burden. He is more than capable to take care of anything I put into His hands. His ways are infinitely better than anything I could come up with, so I give it to Him through prayer.
God invites us to cast all our cares on Him. Once we lay our fears, anxieties, and worries at the foot of the cross, it's so important that we leave them there, and not continue to carry them around. When those feelings begin to creep up again, it's time to take it back to Him . . . again, and again, as many times as necessary.
Thank you for sharing this post, Casey!
Blessings,
Michelle
Leave them, and then leave them, and leave them and leave them again. No matter how many times, we must leave them! Wonderful comment, Michelle, Thank you!
DeleteCasey, I appreciate your honesty, sweet friend. I've had to make the same choice to not live in fear ... many, many times. Thankfully, that choice is based more on who God is than on who I am. I'm fearful -- but God is faithful. I'm fearful -- but God is my refuge. I'm fearful -- but God is my Comfort.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, that first step out of fear ... and the next, and the next, is always a choice.
Refuge and comfort, words to cling too, aren't they? Hugs to you today, Beth!
DeleteThanks for sharing honestly Casey. Fear is something we all can relate to. I have 3 children and when they aren't home I worry something will happen to them. Especially my 2 oldest who are driving now! A few days ago I posted this quote on my blog by F.B. Meyer and it really helped me to remember that Jesus is always with me and he is with my kids, even in our tomorrows. :)
ReplyDelete"The oriental shepherd always walked ahead of his sheep. He was always out in front. Any attack upon the sheep had to take him into account first. Now God is out in front. He is in our tomorrows, and it is tomorrow that fills people with fear. Yet God is already there. All the tomorrows of our life have to pass through Him before they can get to us."
I love that quote, thank you so much for sharing that Cathy! What a wonderful and blessed reminder.
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