A year and a half since my last post and still the Lord is patiently teaching me the same lesson. Not sure what it is about pregnancy that leaves me all weepy on the bathroom floor?
I prayed this morning a very simple prayer, "Lord, could my faith ever truly be greater than my fears?" Could I get to a place where I simply place all my concerns at the feet of Jesus and walk away satisfied that He will provide?
I found 63 places in Scripture where the exact phrase "fear not" was used. Interestingly, it begins in Genesis and ends in Revelation.
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Gen 15: 1
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: Rev. 1:17
Who was this message given to? Turns out, great men of God, prophets, the children of Israel, a handmaiden, and even lowly shepherds. Seems that anytime in Scripture God was asking for great faith, He accompanies it, with fear not.
So how do I replace fear with faith in my heart?
1. Call fear out on to the mat. Fear and anxiety happen, but they do not have to grow to a place of immobilizing worry. Excessive worry creates a situation where I falsely believe I am in control of changing my circumstance. Subject your fears to the Sovereignty of God. He is before and beyond all things.
2. Hide God's word in your heart. Fear can creep up on me at the strangest times. This is the time to remember the verses hidden in your heart. For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Tim.1:7, It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deut. 31:8, Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matt. 10:31
3. Remember the many times the Lord has been faithful in the past. Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. Ps. 97:12 . All along the way, as the Israelites journeyed, they were asked to build stone altars as places of remembrance for how the Lord had delivered them. It would be powerful to write down all the times the Lord has delivered you and answered your prayers in unexpected ways before.
4. Be thankful for what is so that you do not lose joy to the what ifs. When I stop, and look around, I have so very many things to be thankful for. A healthy baby growing, a wonderful 4 year old, and a sweet husband and loving family. A terrific job, and nice house, and a warm bed at night. When my camera lens zooms into all the potential future problems, I lose sight of the focal point right in front of me. I miss out on the blessing of what is. I do not want to be robbed of the blessing of ordinary days. When I look at all that I am thankful for, I begin to feel joy and peace anew.
What happens to the child of God who surrenders her fear in exchange for peace? She trades tears for joy, worry for peace, and surrenders control, willingly.
God is able.
Let.that.sink.in.
And when another tide of hormonal worry or fear washes over me? I will repeat steps 1-4.
I prayed this morning a very simple prayer, "Lord, could my faith ever truly be greater than my fears?" Could I get to a place where I simply place all my concerns at the feet of Jesus and walk away satisfied that He will provide?
I found 63 places in Scripture where the exact phrase "fear not" was used. Interestingly, it begins in Genesis and ends in Revelation.
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Gen 15: 1
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: Rev. 1:17
Who was this message given to? Turns out, great men of God, prophets, the children of Israel, a handmaiden, and even lowly shepherds. Seems that anytime in Scripture God was asking for great faith, He accompanies it, with fear not.
So how do I replace fear with faith in my heart?
1. Call fear out on to the mat. Fear and anxiety happen, but they do not have to grow to a place of immobilizing worry. Excessive worry creates a situation where I falsely believe I am in control of changing my circumstance. Subject your fears to the Sovereignty of God. He is before and beyond all things.
2. Hide God's word in your heart. Fear can creep up on me at the strangest times. This is the time to remember the verses hidden in your heart. For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Tim.1:7, It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. Deut. 31:8, Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matt. 10:31
3. Remember the many times the Lord has been faithful in the past. Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. Ps. 97:12 . All along the way, as the Israelites journeyed, they were asked to build stone altars as places of remembrance for how the Lord had delivered them. It would be powerful to write down all the times the Lord has delivered you and answered your prayers in unexpected ways before.
4. Be thankful for what is so that you do not lose joy to the what ifs. When I stop, and look around, I have so very many things to be thankful for. A healthy baby growing, a wonderful 4 year old, and a sweet husband and loving family. A terrific job, and nice house, and a warm bed at night. When my camera lens zooms into all the potential future problems, I lose sight of the focal point right in front of me. I miss out on the blessing of what is. I do not want to be robbed of the blessing of ordinary days. When I look at all that I am thankful for, I begin to feel joy and peace anew.
What happens to the child of God who surrenders her fear in exchange for peace? She trades tears for joy, worry for peace, and surrenders control, willingly.
God is able.
Let.that.sink.in.
And when another tide of hormonal worry or fear washes over me? I will repeat steps 1-4.