Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. Mark 16:8
God knows we are weak and that our courage is limited. He knows that fear is part of our human condition.
Slowly, I am learning that He, above all does NOT shame me for being afraid. He can still use me, sweaty palms, upset stomach and everything to get His message out and help others. The Scripture above does eventually go on to say that courage was granted the women. They were able to speak.
As I continue to strengthen in areas of my life that have been very painful, fear tries its best to continue to paralyze me. I still stumble. Fear can be like a frightening storm.
Tornadoes have always fascinated me. Never been in one. The power, the destruction, the uncertainty. In tornado alley, an approaching tornado sounds a loud alarm, warning you to move to safety.
What do you do in the face of fear? What does your sounding alarm do for you? How does fear define you?
Does fear immobilize you and force you to spiral down like a tornado or shoot you up moving you to a higher and better place where eventually fear will dissipate into love?
Fear shoots me straight up into the arms of my Father.
ReplyDeleteMy instinctive reaction to things I am afraid of is to freeze. I have to force myself out of my comfort zone when I get like that. Thankfully I have someone to call on in those trying times, strength to draw on. Imagine how difficult life would be without that assurance. Yet so many live like that...
ReplyDeleteF false
ReplyDeleteE evidence
A appearing
R real
is the best description I have ever heard.
Hi JBR Yes,
ReplyDeleteI have heard that description of 'fear', and it is a good one. Job said that the things he feard had come upon him, and that is why it is good to 'take no thought for tomorrow' and remember that 'our times are in God's hands' who has 'plans for our welfare and not to harm us' if our fears are for our future. Also it is quite natural to fear something which we do not understand and the best thing then is to pray to God about it, as sometimes it can be a warning to us to avoid something. The Lord is always there to guide us and His perfect love is well able to cast out our fears. As I started this comment and typed in 'JBR' I thought Jesus Brings Relief. God bless you as you trust Him.
Brenda, I like your rendition of "JBR." Blessings.
DeleteWe are told in Scripture repeatedly of the different saint who became afraid, even asked God for proof of what they were not sure God was telling them to do. Fear is something the enemy of our soul uses so often. The Bible repeatedly tells us, “Fear not”, because God knew there would be plenty of things to be afraid of. Fear not for He is with us and will not let go. Sometimes when I focus on fear, I cannot see God, but He nudges me with His Spirit and reminds me He is there, look up and see Him.
ReplyDeleteFear used to immobilize me. It does still kick my fight or flight response in to motion. The difference is now I actually do one or the other, whichever one the Lord leads me too. I think it may have been Joyce Meyer that said "Do it afraid." That's what I do know. It has been about six months or so where fear has been losing it's power. It is a defeated foe! Praise the Lord! Many blessings!
ReplyDeleteOnce I started recognizing fear as the motivation behind ungodly reactions in me and others, it really made a difference. It's amazing to realize how much fear is at the bottom of things. Asking myself, "What am I really afraid of right now that I'm responding with anger or meanness or....?" And I can give grace to others when I see that fear is driving them. IT's not necessarily about me. thanks for writing about this important topic.
ReplyDeleteKathy thank you for your comment and I appreciate your visit to my blog. Blessings.
DeleteI don't like fear. I can go in several directions depending on the situation.
ReplyDeleteI can get angry and hide or become someone I don't know and get things done!
Courage is feeling fear but doing something despite of that fear. I freeze depending on the situation and other times I feel the fear but do it anyway. Blessings to you JBR.
ReplyDeleteHi JBR,
ReplyDeleteI don't let fear define me, I let God define me. In fearful situations I realize that it is only a trap from Satan, so I rebuke him in the name of Jesus, take a deep breath, pray and allow the Holy Spirit to feel me with His peace.
Fear of God should push us forward into not being fearful of other things.
I do have a fear of man and I have to really focus on God or this fear can immobilize me. God has led me to see that I am not an extrovert but an introvert and I need my space to collect and rest. Any fear that we have, when we give it to God, can be broken down into the 'why' of the fear and God will show us a way through it. He is amazing!
Blessings hon,
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Great post, JBR. Fear used to be THE defining thing of my life. OCD and anxiety disorders in general, are essentially fear disorders. It is a truly terrible way to live. Slowly but surely, God has brought healing into my life through a wonderful psychologist and a supportive cast of friends and family. I have learned to live with fear (because I still feel it!) but not to let it control me. In essence, I am learning to not be fearful of fear.
ReplyDeleteI remember when someone once told me
ReplyDelete"he loves you in your fear".
it floored me...I'd always felt
such judgement and shame
about that.
i'm grateful for this wonderful
reminder....such a sweet inspire:)
thank you friend,
Jennifer
My greatest fear used to be dark areas, but now I think that I have grown stronger. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThese days fea r makes me cry, and then god comforts me somehow
ReplyDeleteFear paralyzed me but I feel it less and less as I trust God more and more.
ReplyDeleteFear also is at the root of control. The times I would be in full blown control mode, and there were many, it was because I was afraid and was trying to make a situation different so there wouldn't be anything to fear. It didn't work.
ReplyDelete