June 11, 2013

• The Fear Virus

  Fretting.Worrying. Fear. I know it is one of those things that can seem like an "instinct." I have done it. Who hasn't? But, worry can take over your life if you aren't careful. I know my tendency to worry caught me in the trap of fear. Fear can really paralyze you. It's terrible. It's like a virus that takes over in your head and fills your thoughts with the "what if's....?". It keeps you awake at night. It keeps you from doing things you want to do. It is catching. My worrying came from a family member. I know my fear impacted my children, too.

  What we SEE and HEAR influences us more than we realize. I do think the media plays a part, too. We see such awful things on the news, and then we fret that it could happen to us or those we love. (Of course, it probably WON'T, but we still worry.) I remember once I read a story about a woman whose child was abducted and murdered. For months after that, I did not want my children to play outside unless my eyes were on them every minute. Fear has a real impact on how we do life.

  If we allow it, fear will shape everything we do, think, and say. It will ride us everywhere we go. It can become that "constant companion" that squeezes us tighter and tighter. Panic attacks. Agoraphobia. Nightmares. It is vicious.

  Of course, there are medications that doctors can prescribe to "mellow us out" and calm us down. Yippee. Now, we are not only in fear's terrible grip, but we must be medicated to cope.

  Unless we want to continue living like that, we better choose to trust. Yes. It is a choice. Fear is a choice. So is trust. We must make a decision that we are not going to let fear lead us around. We are not going to let the enemy of our souls pull us into the pit.

  (Psalm 56:3-4 AMP)  What time I am afraid, I will have confidence in and put my trust and reliance in You. By [the help of] God I will praise His word; on God I lean, rely, and confidently put my trust; I will not fear. What can man, who is flesh, do to me?

  (2Ti 1:7 AMP) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

  If you struggle with fear and are reading this post, do NOT feel condemned! Don't feel like you are the only one who struggles. Don't think there is no help for you in God. No. He will encourage and strengthen you if you give Him a chance. He will break the hold fear has over your life if you will put your complete trust in Him. Aren't you tired of it? Wouldn't you like to be free?

  God set me free, so I know He can do the same for you. Fill your heart with good Bible verses. Memorize them. Ask your pastor to pray with you that fear's control over you is broken. Don't give up! Don't give in. Fight for it. God loves you so much, and He wants you to have a good life! He wants to develop that calm and well-balanced mind in you. If you will take the time you spend worrying and use it instead to know God better, you will find the fear losing its grip. If you will choose to believe the promises of God, things will begin to change. When you feel the fear clawing at you, say, "I choose to trust God. Fear, you leave NOW, in Jesus' mighty name." Don't let the devil hassle your soul anymore.

  Kick fear "to the curb" and trust God!

  • 3:50 am
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