Tag: fear

At Day’s End

I captured the above photo after stopping in a parking lot on my way home from my final Career class today. I had been scared to attend, as we were scheduled to have mock interviews…and that’s not exactly my forte.

But I faced my fear, and even though things didn’t go as well as I had hoped, I was able to follow through and complete the interviews as well as the course.

God really is strong in our weaknesses.

At day’s end, I can look back and give thanks to the Lord for giving me the grace and strength to follow through with a task that was very difficult for me.

And that gives me hope and incentive to face a different fear tomorrow.

What Drives Your Life?

I’ve been reading The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren for the past several weeks. I’ve read the book before, but it’s such a great book that it merits re-reading. 🙂

Last night I began perusing a Chapter entitled “What Drives Your Life?” It states that there are hundreds of things that could be driving your life – but it also lists five of the “most common” driving forces.

  1. Guilt
  2. Resentment and Anger
  3. Fear
  4. Materialism
  5. The Need for Approval

Unfortunately, I would have to admit that my life can be driven by all of these things at certain times. But the driving force that hit me the hardest was “Fear.”

Many people are driven by fear. Their fears may be a result of a traumatic experience, unrealistic expectations, growing up in a high-control home, or even genetic predisposition. Regardless of the cause, fear-driven people often miss great opportunities because they’re afraid to venture out. Instead they play it safe, avoiding risks and trying to maintain the status quo.

Fear is a self-imposed prison that will keep you from becoming what God intends for you to be. You must move against it with the weapons of faith and love. The Bible says, ‘Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life – fear of death, fear of judgment – is one not yet fully formed in love.’

I am so often driven by fear. I let it hold me back, let it cripple me, let it keep me from taking the next step.

Sometimes I feel that the Lord wants me to do something for Him, but I’m afraid to move forward in faith. Unfortunately, I miss the blessing that comes with being obedient.

What are you afraid of today? Is it progressing with a business venture (I’m having trouble with this, myself)? Returning to school or taking an educational course? Trying a new hobby or embarking on a new adventure?

Don’t let fear hold you back. Look to God, and rely on Him to help you take those “baby steps” forward. It’s the only way to beat this driving force!

Blessings to you today. ❤

Photo Credit: David Marcu

When Fear Surrounds Me

Fear. Anxiety. Worry. They’re not good feelings. I experience them often, and I’m still trying to master practical ways to handle them.

Yesterday I encountered several circumstances that caused me to worry. And I had to deal. Here were a few thoughts that helped me:

  • Nothing can enter my life without it first going through God.
  • My loving Father wants me to trust Him and to let go!
  • I am not in control of the things that happen to me, and I need to stop trying to be.
  • Remember to take deep breaths–physically and spiritually. I need to “breathe in” God’s grace, and “breathe out” His praise (from Your Grace Finds Me, by Matt Redman).
  • “Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me, [He’s] never failed and [He] won’t start now” (from Oceans, by United)!

Thank God that we can trust His sovereignty and His good plans for us! When fear surrounds you and me, let’s choose to trust that He is near, and that He won’t fail in keeping His promises. ❤

Image Credit: Unknown