There’s been a lot of talk about being brave. In fact, Annie Downs just released a book called Let’s All Be Brave: Living Life With Everything You Have.
This past week I was at my daughter’s – she had surgery on the 19th and I was blessed to be able to go and run the household while she rested and recuperated. Honestly, I was glad I still had it in me! Each day was packed full with laundry, dogs, meals, tidying up, Hannah and Simon! I fell into bed at night and slept like a baby!
My granddaughter has a terrible habit of saying, “I’m scared,” whenever she has to do something new or different. She has a job now and one morning when I dropped her off she said in her goofy voice, “Mimi, I’m scared.” Well, it occurred to me that she was putting voice to a very negative, unholy thought. I finally told her that every time she said that she was speaking a curse over herself. She immediately stopped saying it.
But, last week something made me very scared. It wrought a fear in me that I am still rebuking.
The beheading of American journalist, James Foley, by the Islamic state militants.
I finally had to turn off the television news shows – I couldn’t bear seeing the gruesome photo of him kneeling with his murderer standing behind him (NO, I did not watch the video.).
I talked to the Lord about it – a lot.
I don’t want to be scared.
I don’t want to live in fear.
I want to be brave and courageous.
I’m just not sure I am.
Are you?
For God did not give us a spirit of fear. But of power, love, and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1.7
xo
Wednesday linkup’s:
I relate! I do so very much relate, Susan. I don’t want to “be scared” of what is coming in this world and specifically in our country……..I don’t want to be. But, sometimes I think just maybe I am a wee bit scared (or maybe far more than a “wee bit”)………………
I don’t want to think that I am “scared” about Bill’s future as he faces 6 weeks of radiation beginning next month……….but, sometimes……..BAM! There it is. It isn’t “overwhelming”……….and I’m thankful for that……..but………
(I didn’t watch the video either…………………..that would just be playing into the hands of ISIS)……….
Kathy
Kath’ glad to hear, I’m not alone! Praying for Bill…xo
Thank you for taking off the mask, as it were. Thoughts of ISIS and radical Islamic terrorists have entered my thoughts as well. It’s not the actual dying that concerns me. It’s the possible torture before hand that gives me pause, GREAT pause. As I began walking again this past Monday (took about a week’s hiatus, due to family obligations, I kept reminding myself when I approached the most difficult section of the climb that I need to be strong physically as well as spiritually. Not knowing what I might have to face at some point in time, my body needs to be reasonably prepared to endure what only God knows. That may sound overly dramatic but it’s the way I think. Who are we to be spared being driven to a mountain top, starved, die of thirst and disease, beheaded, burned with fire, cut in two, separated from our loved ones or worse yet watch them be…. (Heb. 11:32-40). Not going there.
What I’m afraid of at this point in my life: Not living, only existing till I hear that inward call to come Home. For the past few years, I’ve lived more or less in neutral due to a change in certain doctrinal beliefs adopted by my spouse. I am like a climbing rose. I must move, I must explore. I must live. Put me in a terrarium (Sus-you’d be proud – I spelled this right before I looked in the dictionary!) and I wilt and eventually die. Kitty went under glass to maintain a certain amount of peace and quiet in her home and in her relationship with her husband. Consequently, she wilted and was dying daily not to self-sin but to allowing Holy Spirit to live in and through her as HE wished. Well, HE has lifted the lid and she’s out. She is again climbing the wall of faith and hope and expectation in the LORD GOD. All fear isn’t gone but its hold has loosened a great deal. PRAISE JESUS’ HOLY NAME.
YOUR comments are always thought-provoking. Your spelling was actually pretty good!!! xo
Hi, Stopping in from Word Filled Wednesday. I’m finding it hard to not be scared with everything going on in the world today. Not so much for myself, I know we are safe withe Jesus. I just wonder what is going to happen next every day. I’ve always kept up on world events; now I don’t even want to turn the TV on. It seems that the enemy has taken over everything.
I don’t understand why more people are not praying and repenting of their sins and calling on God.
Are we not just like the Israelites who have turned away from God and are running to other idols?
Kim, I so appreciate your comment and taking the time to visit.
Hi Susan….Glad to know I’m not the only one feeling “scared”. I’m a Martha and I worry. (The Lord is working on that too!) I don’t worry so much for me but for my children and grandchildren. They are in church and are being taught the word but MANY (most) of the people and children they are walking this world with are not. That makes them a prime target. And as christians I know that one day they will have to “stand”. I did’t watch that video either…but what little I did see sure “brought it home” to what can actually happen one day in the not to distant future! Come quickly Lord Jesus….
I’m right there with you sister.
Another friend posted a few days ago, saying she was “scared to death” by what is happening in our world these days, specifically with ISIS. Maybe I’m just not a worrier, but all I know is that OUR GOD is still in control! He loves us and will only allow what’s BEST for each of us, as long as we put our lives in His hands. I don’t know what the future holds, especially for our children and grandchildren, but I DO know that HE holds the future, and that gives me peace in the midst of all this craziness. Just think about the chorus of that wonderful old song….”Many things about tomorrow, I don’t seem to understand; but I know Who holds tomorrow, and I KNOW Who holds my hand!” Yes, that gives me peace and joy beyond explanation!
Glenda, I agree 125% – xo
We were just having that conversation last night. My fear is a different one but still, I shouldn’t be so fearful and I want to not be in that space anymore. Gratitude for what we have, remembering that God is faithful, that He does what He says…certainly helps gain perspective!! (popping over from the snail mail link up)
Lani, absolutely we cannot walk in fear and we must always remember the promises of God. It is a time for us to be united and strong!
Scared. Yes, I’m scared…
…of what the future holds for my grandchildren or every time my daughter takes a step out in life. Women are not valued and treasured. Christians are targets. Evil looks for innocent to spoil, to destroy. Sometimes, I feel like I’m going mad with all I ‘see’. When I see it in my inner circle, I react-although, no one can ‘see’ it. We are truly spiritual beings in a physical world. That is hard to walk in at times.
ISIS. It’s only a matter of time. My flesh does not want to suffer. Can it be quick?In my sleep? I would hope I would be a strong example for those I love. We are told there will be be-headings and the guillotines are already in our country. We have lost of strife. The avalanche of suffering looks inevitable. Does not wanting to suffer make me less of a Believer? Why can’t I just walk through a gateway and be in my spiritual home?
That brings us to fear of not measuring up. To not being what God calls us to be. I know who He is. I know what He can do; but WILL He? Peace. Joy. Love. Fruits of the Spirit. I long for them all to live inside me.
Which brings me to say: Ms Kitty, I completely hear what you are saying. I desire to climb, but the briers are so entangled. Scared that I am my own worse enemy. Why isn’t ‘good enough’ good enough?
Scared. Yes, I’m scared. But, I will stay huddled in the cleft of the ROCK; for only in Him do I have hope.
Amen.
I came to the conclusion a long time ago that the news went against that verse in the Bible that tells us to think on whatever is good and kind and true. Which may be a bad thing because then I don’t really know what’s going on in the world–but it sure beats the hours of wasted time I used to spend in front of the news programs watching the same thing over and over and feeling scared and powerless. Now I read an occasional news item and have a general idea of what’s going on by the comments on Facebook. Of course, the important thing to remember is that we already know how the story will end ;).
I so agree Anita – we disconnected cable tv almost 2 years ago and I don’t miss that constant live streaming of bad news. Like you, I get my news updates on Facebook and Twitter. It is enough information to pray for a situation and move on. And, yes, I’ve read the end of the book. Praise His Name, come quickly Lord Jesus.
If all of us who worry would immediately turn to praying for peace, would that help to change things? Maybe it’s worth a try.
I don’t believe this world will ever experience true peace – BUT, if united we pray for our personal, spiritual peace then the Lord, who is faithful, will provide it. xo Looking forward to seeing you.
As for the world, we don’t know when we will take a last breath so best be right with our Lord and Savior. Our world is getting worse each day and we need prayer chains all over the country. As for my personal life, with two weeks left to return to Fl for the winter and a local interest in the house here that is for sale in N.C. and a long shot at that, the word “scared” comes into play as to getting what I need done in a short time and hoping that this interest is serious….let the chips fall I say and God will work it all out but the brain says, “stay awake, lose sleep and worry.” You guys pray for my “saneness” will ya? Thanks…Merry
Prayers are with you today, Merry!
So glad that I am not alone. I’m also getting into the scare mold. I worry for our children and grandchildren, who will they run to. The world and all its scary stuff, things of the world, or Our Lord. Praying, Praying, Praying!
Thank you Susi, for this, we are in this together. For such a time as this.
Yes, we will be brave together.
Oh my Susan…I have been scared throughout the past four years. Loneliness, money, moving, jobs, kids, grandkids, great grandkids, friends, health….blah, blah.
BUT the truth is I know who my Redeemer is, I know who my Father is, I know who dwells in me Holy Spirit. I know the Word says God has not given me a spirit of fear. A new friend of mine, Benjamin, told me on the phone regarding an upcoming event, we cannot and should not be fearful that is a demon. BUT as humans, we can be “nervous”, have butterflies, it is part of our “old” DNA. But as one of Christ Fellowship’s visiting speakers said, we have new DNA! I don’t walk in “scared” or “fear” anymore. I walk by faith, talk by faith, live by faith…I make wise decisions with the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in me, take care of myself and then I do the next thing. And I do it with confidence!
Abiding!
Peggy
NEW D.N.A. – I like that.
Scared? Yes. Daily. Pain scares me. Waking in the morning and wondering if I will be capable of completing all of the many demands of life. When Im suffering its so difficult to tackle such tasks of taking care of many people, many animals, tons of plants, lots of laundry, multiple trips to the store for food, then of course preparing the meals. Maintaing a busy household and keeping up with all of it. And when I’m in pain it scares me that I’m not able to properly take care of the many things I’m responsible for. That’s my daily fear.
I am keeping you in prayer,marni
Marni….I continue to hold you up to the Lord in prayer…….I LOVE YOU!
GOOD GOOD GOOD.
Over the years I learned to be afraid of almost everything. I’m learning now the degree to which that diminishes me and my faith! I think it’s a normal human reaction to have moments of fear here and there but the question becomes “What do I do now?”. I choose to remember who I am in Christ and that NOTHING can happen to me (or to the people I love, which is usually the area where I get most afraid) without first passing through the hands of God and if HE allows it, it is a GOOD THING for my growth or someone else’s.
I love your last sentence, Elisabeth.
This is so great! I really needed to read this. I have had to turn off the news feed some myself. I think it’s good to be informed and pray, but you have to listen to the Holy Spirit because there are those times when it’s just not edifying and it’s only evoking fear. I have been having nightmares lately, which is not normal for me. Thank you so much for sharing this truth.
Natalie, I wrote it a year ago – but isn’t it something the Lord presented it to you TODAY! xo