Fear and it's Buddies Part 3

In case you missed it, we talked about fear and it's buddies, then we took a closer look at those buddies. Now we are applying scripture to fear. 

Are you struggling with fear right now?

Hear are two great questions to ask yourself:

1. Are you trusting God right now?
2. Has God left you alone in this situation?

    If you're honest with yourself, the answer is no for both. It's not easy, trust me, I KNOW!! *smile* Like I said before my struggles with fear/worry is like a roller coaster ride. But when we fear, ultimately we are NOT trusting God, plain and simple. 
     Also the situation may not be easy but God has NOT left you alone. I can't think about what if my husband doesn't get a job up here soon. I don't have the strength for the alternatives at this time. Just like I can't think about where is the money going to come from to pay our bills. It does nothing but cause me anxiety. Remember: Matt.6:25, "Therefore do not worry, saying, "what shall we eat? or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'"  Matt 6:31, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day [is] its own trouble."Matt.6:34, and  Luke 12:22, just to name a few. I have to keep my eyes focused on God and trust that He will keep His promise to provide for us. I don't say these things lightly, it's hard, REALLY hard!

Let's look at some scripture:

Fear robs us of faith, Jesus said it Himself;

But He said to them, " Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?" Matt.8:26

     I love the following verse! God gave it to me while I was on bed rest with Josiah while in the hospital. At one point I became unstable and I was afraid I was going to lose him. I asked God to have mercy and save our son, but I also acknowledge that he is God's child and I would "understand" if He took him home. The fear would rise up and I would lay our son's life at the foot of the cross and "the peace of God" would wash over me. It was like nothing I had experienced. 

     Once again the other day when I cried out to God over being fearful, "the peace of God" washed over me. Both times the trials were still there and I could have chosen to dwell and be afraid. But I didn't! I chose to submit to God's authority and acknowledge I am not in control, He is and whatever his will is, it is PERFECT! We need to remember He says to be anxious for what?! NOTHING!! (easier said then done *wink*) In EVERYTHING come to to God in prayer and supplication, but with THANKSGIVING.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:6-7

It alienates the truth. God tells us to meditate on what is true. So if fear removes truth, then we should not meditate on our fears.

Finally brethren, whatever things are true....meditate on these things. Phil. 4:8

It victimizes the person. Remember God does NOT give us a spirit of fear (that is straight from Satan)!

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Tim. 1:7

It robs your memory. What do we need to remember? 

1. NOT to fear!
2. NOT to be dismayed.
3. Cast any and all fears upon Him. Lay them at the feet of the cross.
4. God is ALWAYS, ALWAYS with us!!!
5. He will ALWAYS be our God.
6. That He will help and strengthen us because He cares for us.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7

     No I haven't conquered fear unfortunately. Today once again, I am struggling with it! It's the end of the month and very little money has come in, I can see my husband struggling and that breaks my heart and also leads to fear. Once again I have to stop, repent, ask God to remove my fears, and meditate on His truths! I just want you to know that you are not alone and that we have to stay focused on Christ (I am so blessed that He met me among my fears the other week). 

There are more verses then just the ones I posted. Are there any verses in particular that help you with fear, worry, anxiety? I would love for you to share them!!

For His Glory,

Fear and it's Buddies Part 2

In case you missed the first post on fear, we talked about me struggling with fear and God meeting me at my fears and bringing me to listen to Revive Our Hearts (which she was talking about fear and it's buddies). Today I taking a closer look at those fear buddies.

1. It distorts Reality

      The decision my husband made and the ugly fear that arose after lead me to believe my husband was sabotaging he chances of getting a job up here. I know he misses the South and wishes we could live closer to his family. I understand, I DO! But unless God provides a miracle (if it is His will), we can't move and be together ALL of us as a family down South at this time. 

     I starting thinking that he didn't REALLY want to find a new job up here! He kept forgetting to send out a thank you note to an interview he had, had about a week before. THEN when I mentioned it, he didn't respond. So the fear kept growing..."SEE he isn't sending a note in. He's ignoring my request. He doesn't want to try and stand out. He doesn't REALLY want to get a job up North!!"

      

     Here I was packing and planning, all the while in the back of my head, telling God all of this (much to my shame). Then about an hours later, as I'm still crying out to God. My husband with a "skip in his step" whips up a Thank You note and gets it ready to mail out!!!

     It may not seem like a big thing, but that had been the "last straw" to "confirm" my fears...aka distorting of reality! God showed me through that one simple act of changing my husband's heart to stop and prepare a Thank You note (he really had meant to earlier, but kept forgetting), that fear was distorting my reality over my husband's thoughts and actions.   

2. It victimizes the person.

     Fear can cause a pity party for oneself, a victim mentality. One evening in particular I was really fretting and fearing over this whole job situation (or lack there of) and the decision my husband had made. It was taking a toll physically and mentally. I was tense, my stomach hurt, I had a headache, I wasn't smiling, and my mind was just RUNNING with my fears. Finally I had had enough and pray out to God to forgive me and remove this fear. I didn't want tears and fear anymore! He is in CONTROL! "PLEASE God REMOVE this dread from me!!!" And He did! I was in awe! I felt so much calmer and relaxed! One moment I couldn't seem to stop thinking about my fear that next it was hard to recall. Did I still remember what had caused me to fear? Yes. Could I have chosen to turn my attention back to it and dwell? Yes. But one moment it seemed I had no control of my fear, the next I could choose to dwell or not. I choose NOT to be a victim and instead live in God's freedom. 

3. It puts stress on the body, physically, emotionally, spiritually.

     Isn't that the truth! Fear can give me headaches, upset stomachs  heartburn, exhaustion, cause tension and in turn impatience with my family. Not good! The list could go on. That's NOT what God wants for us!

4. It alienates the truth.

     Of course believing my husband was intentionally trying not to get a job up North is not the truth. I had also starting thinking that if my husband's decision had caused him to not get the job God intended to provide him with, that God will be angry and punish us. That HE wont provide another job up North, that He is not for us.

     1. First if he did lose out on the job that God was going to provide, I have to trust God. My husband is the head of the home, it is his decision (especially since he will be working at the company), and that decision is between him and God (though of course our sins effect others and not just ourselves). So the truth is I'm to submit to my husband.

     2. God LOVES us and provide for us! Even when we sin and face consequences God is so merciful and forgives. HE is STILL there! 

What shall we then say to these things? If God (be) for us, who (can be) against us? Romans 8:31

     God met me at my fear once again. Right before we left for GA, my husband informed me that he has another interview this coming Thursday. No it doesn't mean that God will give him the job, if it's outside of His will. But once again He answered my fear buddy. I forgot that God is good and faithful. I was fearful and dwelling on the fear that, God would punish us with no job prospects in the near future and He in turn provided Joseph with another job interview! *smile*

5. It cripples you.

     For some people fear can be SO strong that they are afraid to leave their homes. I am terrified of heights and I literally can't move. But fear doesn't just cripple us physically, it also cripples you emotionally and spiritually. It drains me of giving the best of me to my family. It also stops me spiritually, I have to go back to God's word and what it says about fear and God's faithfulness. In what ways has fear crippled you?

6. Fear replaces faith.

     When we let fear creep in most often, if not always it pushes out or replaces our faith. We cannot trust God and also live in fear. It's not easy for me to say that! I find myself worrying and fearful often. :( I am learning through our trials though, that when fear starts to creep in...PRAY!!! I might not be able to stop and read my bible at that moment or even get on my knees to pray, but I can pour out my heart/thoughts/fears, etc to God as I'm going about my day. I am learning to recognize my sin (fear) and repent of it, work (really hard) at not dwelling on what is causing me to fear, and asking God to remove me fear. Like I already said, one day my fear was very strongly replacing my fear and after crying out to God (I was only able to stop and pray very briefly, the rest of the time I spent talking to Him while being a mom and wife), He replaced my fear with faith in Him! Isn't God amazing?!?!

7. It disappoints.

     It's like Karin says, "Fear gives nothing back!" Everyone and everything will/can disappoint us, except....GOD! We have to remember that our HOPE comes from GOD ALONE. But Fear in particular will disappoint us, it has NOTHING good to offer! I mean fear had me distorting the image of my husband in my mind (it still does at times)!

8. It robs your memory

     I am still a work in progress. I still struggle with fear/worry on and off. Sometimes I feel like a roller coaster! Each time I have to confess my sin and be reminded of the truth. Fear robs our memories. How quickly I forget God's truths and all that He has done. Even this past week, when I still struggled with fear creeping in, I kept forgetting how God met me right there last week to show me that He is still in control! No for us I don't know what the future holds. I can't plan and "control" (which is really hard), but I can lean on Christ and daily go to His word to refresh my memory! *smile* That's one reason I am so happy to share my struggles and God's faithful with you, because I can also go back and be reminded, so that I wont forget!

What about you, is there something that is causing you to fear? Can you apply the "fear buddies" to your situation? Can you think of any others to add?

In the next post we will look at scripture and regards to fear.

For His Glory,

Fear

SOOOOO I struggle with....FEAR, always have.

As Karen Loritts so plainly puts it:

"My biggest problem in life is I’m a worrier. I worry about worrying. The other problem I have is fear."

Sadly, I can totally relate. How about you? 

Lately I have REALLY been struggling with; 

     My husband made a decision regarding a job that has lead to fear and anger (in myself), after asking a friend/mentor for prayer and guidance. I got down on my knees and wept for forgiveness. My husband's decision is between him and God. But my thoughts and actions are between ME and God! I sinned by being fearful and angry. 

     I am still struggling with fear on and off and have to hold my thoughts captive and ask forgiveness. Once again Karen puts it so plainly,

So I did all the right things, but I could not shake this whole attitude in my bosom that fear was gripping me.

     I was really struggling just earlier this evening. God laid it upon my heart to listen to Nancy Leigh Demoss on Revive Our Hearts and I am SO glad I did! They were talking about fear and bitterness, how perfect!!

I want to share with you 8 truths about fear and it's buddies that Karen talks about on Revive Our Hearts.

1. It distorts reality.
2. It victimizes the person.
3. It puts stress on the body, physically, emotionally, spiritually.
4. It alienates the truth.
5. It cripples you.
6. Fear replaces faith.
7. It disappoints.
8. It robs your memory.

     Next week we will talk about those 8 buddies in more depth and I will share with you how God has been meeting me with my fears. *smile* I can't wait to share!!

     But now I am off to finish getting ready to leave for Georgia, 4 am will come too early! *wink*

For His Glory,