Fear.

The subject of fear keeps popping up.

Fear wants to take over.

We are BLINDED because of fear.

We cannot HEAR because of fear.

We cannot SLEEP because of fear. We OVERSLEEP because of fear.

We get LETHARGIC because of fear. We get HYPERACTIVE because of fear.

We can’t EAT because of fear. We OVEREAT because of fear.

I’m positive that there as many outcomes from holding on to fear, as there are people who do the holding on.

I spent the first twenty years of my life convincing myself that I was not afraid of anything.

Of anything.

Normal kid stuff like the dark, bee stings or dog bites, to more adultish things like, love, and loss, and pain.

What I found out later in life, (remember I had convinced myself that I was not afraid) was that I was afraid of literally everything.

I spent much of my adult life, learning how to allow Jesus to RELEASE me from fear.

I spent much of my adult life learning how to lean on HIS knowledge of things and not my own.

I spent much of my older adult life LEAVING my fear in HIS care.

I came to realize that we did not BOTH need to be awake at night.

The fear I had possessed all my life, was gone, or, as I’m finding out, effectively quieted down.

In the past several years, since social media anyway, things have changed.

People can put out any thing they want to, true or not, and strike fear into an entire people group, and now, with COVID19, the entire world.

The social media, and the main stream media both spout their ideas as fact to a world that is basically uninformed of history, partnered with a lack of ability to discern right from wrong, swallows it up hook, line, and sinker.

Thereby tossing them even further into the pit of fear and despair.

Even those who are discerning, can get caught up in the trap as well.

Anything that we are told over, and over, and over, tends to become truth to us.

Incrementally. A little at a time.

So we don’t even notice until fear has it’s grip on us yet again.

What I thought I had overcome, keeps trying to come back.

Not the little girl stuff. The grown up stuff.

It seems like the thing that gives me the most FEAR, is loss.

Loss of family, loss of things that were hard fought to have.

Loss of love, health, safety, and most of all freedom.

My heart is always to encourage.

All of these words, none seem too encouraging.

Let me try to redeem myself here.

Scripture is replete with the message FEAR NOT.

Isaiah 41:10 says “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

And in Isaiah 35:4 it says “Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”

Psalm 91:4 says “He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

(What is a buckler? https://g.co/kgs/RxKVoF)

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

A couple of keys here; You have to believe it’s true.

So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. Hebrews 3:19

And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:58

While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” Matthew 5:35-36

One last thing before I go.

Each morning, I make a post on Face book.

A post to encourage people in their faith, and help the to begin their days with a positive thought.

It is not a post that I have written; it is a word that I copy and paste from another lady.

Over the last several years, I have found her words to be quite timely and accurate.

After writing this yesterday, here is what came up this morning.

 June 3, 2020: You must find rest and peace in My presence. It is the only place of peace that is acquired beyond your thoughts and feelings. It is the peace that comes with divine perception and spiritual truth where goodness is found. But you need to come. Refuse to live in turmoil and confusion and seek Me with all your heart. John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND
by Marsha Burns

Only believe.

Until next time …