Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek Justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:17

Thursday, October 7, 2010

My fears

Isaiah 9:11-17
I am not sure if this is generally an issue with women, not that men are immune, but I know many who struggle with anxiety, myself included. These verses seemed to speak specifically to me, perhaps also to you?

11. The Lord spoke to me with his strong
hand upon me, warning me not to follow the
way of this people.  He said:

12. Do not call conspiracy
everything that these people call
conspiracy;
don not fear what they fear,
and do not dread it.
13. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to 
regard as holy,
he is the one you are to fear,
he is the one you are to dread,
14. and he will be a sanctuary;
but for both houses of Israel he will 
be
a stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall.
And for the people of Jerusalem he will 
be
a trap and a snare.
15 many of them will stumble;
they will fall and be broken,
they will be snared and captured."
16.  Bind up the testimony
and seal up the law among my
disciples.
17 I will wait for the Lord,
who is hiding his face from the house
of Jacob.
I will put my trust in him.

So, I fear.  But why?  I have horrible nightmares that keep me in my bed trembling, that make me afraid to ask God for help, that make me afraid that He WILL keep me safe.  

I John 4:13-18

We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us the Spirit. 14.  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.  15. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.16.  And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  17. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.  18.  There is no fear in loveBut perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.


I freak out because we don't have an income.  I freak out because I sometimes want to start a family, but feel we are in no place to do so.  I freak out because I fear Craig might not always love me.  I freak out thinking about my family, their hearts, their lives, and their future. How futile is that?

Lord teach me to take deep breaths.  To breathe in your Spirit and breathe out my fear.   How could I possibly care for the widow and the orphan when I am so stuck worrying about myself and meaningless things. Help me Father.  Give me ears to hear your words and not the lies and "conspiracies" of this world.  The truth is, you are near.  The truth is, you love me.  The truth is, you are bigger and mightier than my fears.  Amen.