Fear is stupid. The end.
(But of course I have more to say.)
On one of my runs last week I was talking with God about fear. Not any one fear in particular, just fear in general. And this truth landed heavily in my spirit so I thought it should be documented. And since it would be too large of a tattoo, it seemed the blog would suffice. You’re welcome, mom.
Fear steals today.
It shouts of a possible tomorrow
with the underlying assumption that
God won’t be there pouring out His grace.
Fear steals today. It does. It takes the moments we’ve been given and plagues them with worry or anxiety or bitterness or insecurity — all rooted in fear. It steals. It doesn’t discriminate. And it isn’t polite.
It may start as a whisper but the more we listen the louder it gets until eventually it shouts at us of possible tomorrows. But it doesn’t just shout of possible tomorrows. Ultimately it convinces our soul that God won’t be in that possible tomorrow pouring out His promised grace. And we buy in.
Oh we don’t consciously think that we’re buying in. But whenever we fall into places of fear about possible tomorrows, we’re assuming that God won’t be there. We’re forgetting very basic truths about the character and promises of God.
When we live in places of fear, we’re forgetting that He promises to go before and behind us. We’re forgetting that He promises to work every single thing together for the good of those who love Him. We’re forgetting that God is sovereign and His plans for His children are defined by His love.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8-9
Fears will come. We’re human and this world is broken and scary. But I’ll keep preaching it as I preach to my own soul: in Christ fear is not our inheritance. Fear is not our inheritance.
Our victory comes when we learn how to take fear thoughts captive to truth, one by one, moment by moment. The abundance Christ promises happens in the dailiness of life, you and me submitting ourselves to His love and truth, one minute to the next. And that daily submission often includes wrestling fears to the ground, replacing them with declarations of faith.
We weren’t meant to travel this faith journey alone. We have His Spirit who convicts and empowers and restores and speaks life and… ad infinitum. But we also have other believers. God created us for intimate fellowship. He designed us to reach out to one another with a, “I’m really afraid. Would you speak some truth to me?”
Fear will come. But it isn’t our inheritance. It’s a stupid stealer of days. The end.
Oh and only really mature people say the word “stupid”. Like me…and 8 year olds.
Fill me, Lord…
How do you overcome the fears that naturally arise?
You bless me! Thank you for always sharing truth from your heart. Love ya!
Thank you, Melissa!
I’m so happy that you preach to us what you preach to yourself. This is exactly what I needed to read this morning. Fear crept in last night and ruined a perfectly quiet evening with my husband (one of the first we’ve had in weeks). Next time? I’m going to tell fear to shut its stupid face.
xoxo
Lol. You make me laugh. 😉 Fear is stupid.
Thank you for sharing. This speaks to areas of my heart that I didn’t even realize needed the sermon 🙂 A nice refresher at the beginning of my busy mommy day.
Bless you, Lynnell.
I think I just might pin every single post you write!! Thank you so much for sharing so much of you with us Lara. You bless me every single day.
Thank you for that encouragement, Kendra.
We recently watched “Rise of the Guardians” with our kids, and I love the message there about overcoming fear – remember that it is a huge lie and facade. … And of course, there are scary things that are very real, but the devil sets fear up to be more menacing than the thing truly is. But we have God in our corner, and He has made it so that we are overcomers over it all. Thanks for the encouragement again today, Lara. Only God knows how much I needed this.
We haven’t seen it yet. But that is so true; fear is a huge lie. It’s real but it isn’t a reliable place to stand. Blessings in your journey today, Robyn.
“We’re forgetting very basic truths about the character and promises of God.”
Please help me with this. I’m working on digging out sin I didn’t know was lurking…tossing idols and fear. I need to kinda start from scratch on who is God and remind my heart and mind of his promises.
When I have intentions of taking thoughts captive…all those scriptures I can recite when I’m not under attack…suddenly are no where to be found!?!!!
So I need to make a card to carry until I get them deep where Satan can’t take them. What characteristics and promises would you put on your card?
It’s like I have to relearn the basics and I feel really silly!! :(. And sad. 🙁
Thnx!
Hi Trish. I just love your tender desire to follow our Lord. I don’t think you are being silly at all. I think you are being wise! For me, the promises I go back to on a daily/hourly basis are God’s sovereign control and His faithful, pursuing love. As His daughter, nothing can touch me without first going through His hands of love. And even when life doesn’t feel very “lovely” I preach His sovereignty to my soul. He sees the beginning from the end and will work each and every thing together for my good and His glory. He promised. Blessings to you in your faith journey, Trish.
Fear IS stupid! Should put that on a t-shirt.
This is awesome! This is actually one of my catch phrases and I have a t-shirt line specifically for this phrase!