© Donna L. Watkins - Gulf Fritillary Butterflies
Aren't we all fighting for freedom? Freedom from fear? Freedom from debt? Freedom from others' expectations? Freedom from worry?
Worry is fear. No doubt about it. If we're worrying over something it's standing on the foundation of fear.
As I mentioned in a previous week's issue, I've overcome many fears, but as I pass through one I find that I have another and another. That would sound very disheartening except for the fact that each one I pass through finds me more and more freedom in Christ. The process gets easier also. It's like I know the maze a bit better and the way out is a bit quicker.
Mazes and Mice - Yes, I overcame my fear of mice also. That's one of those "everybody fears" where you say, "Everybody is afraid of mice. It's normal." Like snakes. I told myself everybody hated snakes.
I'm over the mice thing. I actually think they are the cutest things. And although I won't pick up a snake since I've never been taught how, I do love to see them and I've touched them with love in my hands at a Science Center.
I'll tell you something! There is nothing like the freedom of overcoming fear! It's better than a bungie jump! (Shall we talk about foolishness now?) Always looking for a positive way to see things, bungie jumps may be a way for somebody to overcome their fear of heights.
I've discovered that the biggest hurdle is overcoming the fear to face the fear. Fear produces emotional pain which produces health issues. We have to make that decision to deal with the fear when the Holy Spirit brings to mind that it's a problem. I think this excerpt explains it well:
"Instant obedience is the only kind of obedience there is, for delayed obedience is disobedience. Each time God calls upon us to do something, He is offering to make a covenant with us. Our part is to obey, and then He will do His part to send a special blessing. ...... Postponed obedience can never bring us the full blessing God intended or what it would have brought had we obeyed at the earliest possible moment. What a pity it is how we rob ourselves, as well as God and others, by our procrastination!" (From "Messages for the Morning Watch")
"Obedience is the fruit of Faith ..." Christina Rossetti
Consider obedience to the Holy Spirit's speaking. Does your heart long to be free of fear? You have to begin somewhere. You're not alone! Jesus holds out His hand to you. He died on the cross to give us the victory over all evil. Fear is the opposite of Faith. It is evil. Take the authority given to you and step forth to conquer.
May God's boldness and strength be with you!
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