Hidden fear

What I am sharing with you today is a message that i feel strongly about regarding fear in ones life.

Parts of this post are from an email i received today from a site called: Daily Inspirations Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com I am compelled to share it with you because it strikes very close to my own issues I struggle with daily.

It always takes me by surprise how God will use others or tools you are using to reach you. In my experience If you are listening God will speak with you.

My friends and I have been talking about fear. Fear has been a topic brought up in the last few weeks of my life over and over. (Talk about God trying to get my attention, and me not really hearing! He has shown me over and over again, until finally today I heard!)

Last week my friend and I talked about how Satan will use fear as a tool to deceive you, and confuse you. He uses fear to bind the soul from growing, or fully healing.

I thought to myself that I myself am not allowing that to happen. I try to look fear in the face and confront it. I reject it when I feel fearful.

The reality is fear hides in strange places in ones life. One may not even know they are in fear of something.

While on vacation, my husband has shown me that fear controls my life at times. He sees it rather clearly. He has had no problem pointing those times out to me.

Case in point the family wanted to go kayaking. The day was a blah day, raining, and dreary, and I was thinking no way do I want to go kayaking in the rain, what if a lightening storm came up and we were on the water! He checked the weather and told me no it is only rain forecasted for the day. He pointed out fear is controlling me, and I should go enjoy the day with my family. It turns out the sun came out, and the rain left. If I had not gone I would have missed a wonderful day with all my guys!)

At the moment he was telling me i was allowing fear to take hold of me, I became upset. It upset me because I work so hard at not being afraid of things. Laughing at myself! I was shocked, because I did not feel that the problems I have in my own life is because I am in fear. Obviously others see things where I can not.

Last night and early this morning I sat down and prayed. I prayed for God to show me what is spiritually holding me back. I soon received my answer the moment that I opened today's devotional. Talk about God hearing you! How else was he going to talk with me when I am at home alone but through the computer that I use often? lol.

I wanted to share this email with you all. This devotional site has been a blessing for me.

The message is a powerful one, and hit the fear in my life right on the nose!

Blessings.






THE DEATH OF FEAR

Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as a lion.

How do you respond to fear situations in your life? The following steps will help you identify and hopefully eliminate any irrational fears.

First, analyze your fear. Most people aren't aware of what is controlling their lives. If you are struggling with anxiety attacks, determine when they first occurred. What experience preceded the first attack? People struggling with agoraphobia can usually identify one precipitating event. It is often associated with some tragedy or failure in their lives, such as a marital affair or an abortion. Satan takes advantage of victimized people if they don't seek a scriptural solution to their crisis (Psalm 38:18).

Second, determine where God's place in your life has been usurped. In what way does any fear prevent you from responsible behavior or compel you toward irresponsible behavior? You may need to confess any situations where you've allowed your actions to be controlled by fear (Psalm 28:1). We will always live less than a responsible life if we fear anything other than God.

Third, work out a plan of responsible behavior. A college student shared with me that she was living in terror of her father. They hadn't spoken to each other in six months. Obviously there was irresponsible behavior on both their parts. I suggested that she take the initiative that evening and say, "Hi, Dad!" We reasoned that there were three possible responses he could give. First, he could get mad. Second, he could respond with a greeting. Third, he could remain silent. It was the possibility of the third response that created the most fear.

We then discussed the fourth point: Determine in advance what your response will be to any fear-object. The young woman and I talked about what her response would be in each of those three cases we had mentioned. I then asked her if she would be willing to carry out our plan. She agreed to do it. I got a call that evening from a happy daughter who exclaimed, "He said 'Hi' back!"

Do the thing you fear the most, and the death of fear is certain.

Prayer for my day:

Lord, give me the courage to meet my fears head-on and the persistence to overcome them in Your strength.