fear « Grace Fox

Posts Tagged ‘fear’

Insights About Fear and Praise

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

Yesterday I rode a Gold Wing motorbike for about six hours between Pasco and Snohomish, Washington. I usually cherish riding time because it gives me uninterrupted opportunity to ponder, pray, and praise. But yesterday’s experience was different. I pondered alright, but my thoughts sent me careening down a road shadowed with worry about a situation I’m currently facing. As the miles passed, my angst about this situation grew. I knew I had to do something and do it quick or fear and anxiety would consume me.

Past experience has taught me that praise is a powerful force when fighting fear. And so I put my head-knowledge into practice. I praised God for being sovereign in all (not merely some) circumstances. I praised Him for being wise, and for being faithful, and for being merciful. I praised Him for His strength and for His unfailing love. I also praised Him for redeeming our mistakes and turning them into something useful and good when we love Him. The result? Peace washed over me, slowly replacing my angst with a calm assurance that God was in control and I could rest in Him.

Praise isn’t a natural or easy response when messing with negative emotions. It takes effort and discipline to lasso and corral one’s thoughts. It requires deliberate action to turn them around and to focus them on the Truth of God’s promises. The effort is worth it, for then and then alone is when peace is restored.

Psalm 35:9,10 describe how I felt yesterday upon making that effort: “Then I will rejoice in the LORD. I will be glad because he rescues me. With every bone in my body I will praise him: “LORD, who can compare with you?”

Fear’s weight lifted from my shoulders. I was finally able to relax and enjoy the ride and the beautiful scenery through which we passed. As we rounded a bend in the road to see majestic and snow-capped Mt. Rainer towering in the distance, I thought of God – the One who spoke it into being – and my heart sang, “Lord, who can compare with you? Surely I can trust You with every circumstance of my being.”

Today the same fear threatens to engulf me again. But I refuse to let it harm me. I’m rejecting its force by applying the power of praise as I did yesterday. There’s a battle raging, but praise will ultimately win.

Can you relate? What insights can you share with us about applying the power of praise when you feel afraid?

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Tags: afraid, fear, Mt. Rainer, Pasco, peace, praise, Snohomish
Posted in Devotionals | 1 Comment »

Dealing with Discouragement

Monday, June 21st, 2010

What do you do when you feel discouraged?

(a) Devour a bowlful (nay, a gallon) of your favorite ice cream

(b) Take a long walk

(d) Crank up your favorite praise and worship music

(e) Take a nap

(f) All of the above

(g) None of the above

Our means of dealing with discouragement varies because we’re all different. As for me, I’ll go for a walk to clear my brain. I may even treat myself to a Tim Horton’s iced cappuccino. But more often than not, I’ll pray something like, “God, you know how I’m feeling right now. Thank You that I’m not alone. You’re with me and will give me the wisdom and where-with-all to get through this situation. Keep my eyes focused on You and Your promises rather than on my cause for discouragement.” Then I “pull up my big girl pants” and forge ahead.

Different people do different things when discouragement strikes. Take a look at Elijah’s story in 1 Kings 19. He’d just experienced a landslide victory over the false god Baal. You’d think he’d feel like a world-conqueror now, but not so. His victory triggered a death threat from Queen Jezebel, and fear overwhelmed him. Personally, I think the guy was emotionally and physically spent from the battle with Baal’s false prophets; he couldn’t even think clearly at this point.

Elijah allowed Queen Jezebel’s threat to intimidate him. His discouragement level soared, and he ran away to who-knows-where. At one point he parted company with his servant and continued the journey alone. Verse 4 says, “Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, LORD,’ he said. ‘Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.’”

Elijah’s discouragement topped the scale. What might he have done to prevent that from happening? Here are my thoughts…

He might have refused to let Jezebel’s threat paralyze him by choosing to recall God’s mighty display of power in the battle against Baal.
He might have kept company with his servant rather than isolating himself.
He might have rested rather than traveling all day in the wilderness.
He might have changed his prayer from “I’ve had enough, Lord. Take my life,” to “I’ve had enough, Lord. Please take over because I don’t feel I can go on.”

I realize it’s easy for me to analyze Elijah’s situation and say what he should or should not have done. While I don’t mean to pronounce judgment on him, I believe there are some good principles to learn from his experience. Like…when circumstances discourage us, let’s choose not to focus on them but on the character of God, the Overcomer. Let’s refuse to isolate ourselves. Let’s care for our well-being though proper rest, nutrition, and exercise (how often does discouragement set in because we’re run down?). And let’s tell God exactly how we feel but not stop there – let’s always turn our focus back to Him and His ability to see us through.

How about you? What do you do when you feel discouraged?

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Tags: 1 Kings 19, die, discouragement, Elijah, fear, prayer
Posted in Devotionals | 2 Comments »

Fear and the Storms of Life

Wednesday, May 12th, 2010

What’s with the fear issue? Seems that’s all I read about when I open my Bible these days. Maybe God’s trying to tell me something, ya think?

Yesterday I read about sailors whose ships were tossed to the heavens and plunged to the depths. These men cringed in terror, reeling and staggering like drunks. The storm drove them to their wits’ end where they cried, “Lord, help!”

And He did. “He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor!” (Psalm 107:26-30).

Several years ago I wrote a “Drama in Real Life” story for Reader’s Digest. I interviewed two men who’d survived a fishing boat accident off Vancouver Island. My blood ran cold as they described the storm they’d encountered at sea – howling winds and frigid waves that towered several stories high, tossing their boat like a bathtub toy and eventually sucking it beneath the water’s murky depths. The men’s terror matched the sailors’ fear as expressed in the Psalms. So did their cries for help.

It’s not only sailors at sea who experience storms that leave them at wits’ end. Landlubbers do, too – homemakers, office professionals, clergy, teachers, nurses, students, single moms….the list goes on indefinitely. I know several women my age and younger who are battling end-stage cancers right now. I know others who are reeling from marriage breakups or staggering under the weight of their kids making lousy choices with lifelong consequences. They’re at their wit’s end and crying, “Lord, help!”

And He does. Sometimes He calms the storm immediately; sometimes not. But regardless of the wind and waves of our circumstances, He can calm the storm that rages in our minds and our emotions.

The enemy of our souls wants to keep us entrenched and immobilized by fear. But God wants to fill us with courage, to calm our anxious thoughts, and to set us free from fear’s power. Every time I feel afraid, I call, “Lord, help!” I remind myself that His love for me never fails. I find courage in remembering His faithfulness to me in the past, and I find peace in reciting truth such as, “God has promised to never leave or forsake me, and He’s bigger than any storm I will ever encounter.” My circumstances might not change immediately, but I experience a blessed stillness within.

Have you experienced a storm in life? If not, I want to know your strategy for storm evasion. If so, how did you survive?

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Tags: afraid, anxious thoughts, end-stage cancers, fear, Psalm 107, Reader's Digest, storms of life
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No Reason to Fear

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Watching the evening news can be a scary thing sometimes. We hear reports about the economy rising and falling, stories about children being abducted and assaulted or killed, roadside bombs blowing up soldiers, and natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes. Now we’re seeing an oil spill slither towards the southern U.S. coastline and endangering its wildlife habitat.

Some people grow calloused toward the news because it feels far removed from their little safety bubble. Some refuse to watch because they find it depressing. Some listen to the reports and their hearts grow faint from fear. They lock themselves in their houses, afraid to go outside lest the sky fall. Others don’t watch because they’re too busy or they’re dealing with painful personal situations that demand their time and energy.

Global and local news can strike fear and uncertainty into our hearts. So can personal situations. But in the midst of the fearful stuff of life, we can have hope and courage when we remember Jesus’ words to His disciples when He appeared to them after He rose from the grave.

“’Why are you frightened?’ he asked. ‘Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me’” (Luke 24:38).

Beautiful.

Jesus knows the fears we face, and He knows the secret to dealing with them. “Look at my hands,” He says. “Look at my feet. Don’t look at the storm blowing about you. Don’t look at the waves. Don’t look at the overwhelming circumstances…look at Me.

“Why are you afraid? Do you see the nailprints in My hands and feet? They’re proof that I love you. They’re proof that I value you. I’ve invested My life in you – I will never leave you or forsake you.”

When fearful situations face us whether on a global or personal scale, let’s focus our eyes on the Savior. Let’s remember the nailprints in His hands and feet. And let’s draw courage in knowing that they’re proof of His unfailing love for us.

Where do you place your focus when you feel afraid?

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Tags: afraid, fear, hope, natural disasters, oil spill
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Do it Afraid

Monday, April 26th, 2010

Last week I wrote an article based on interview with Cindy Winters. She’s the widow of Fred Winters, a Baptist pastor who died on March 8, 2009, when a stranger entered his church, sauntered down the church aisle, and opened fire on him as he preached.

Cindy told me that she used to be a very fearful person. She said that when she identified and confessed fear as an area of bondage in her life, God began teaching her how to move beyond it through experiences that were far beyond her comfort zone, such as short-term mission trips. She admitted that she didn’t embrace these lesson-learning experiences with joy, but she chose to do them despite her fear because she knew God was asking her to obey. She used a phrase that has stuck with me like Velcro: “Do it afraid.”

Gideon did it afraid, too. He was simply going about his routine tasks when God showed up one day and gave him a special assignment: “Go with the strength you have and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” (Judges 1:1-40).

How did Gideon respond? He completely overlooked the Israelites’ need for rescue and saw only the obstacles. He argued with God: “But Lord….” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family.” The fear of inadequacy loomed large, but he had other struggles besides:

The fear of the enemies that ravaged his country (v. 11).
The fear of encountering the angel of God face to face (v. 22, 23).
The fear of opposing his family and townspeople by destroying Baal’s altar and the Asherah pole (v. 27).

Yes, he was a fearful guy, but thankfully he didn’t allow his fears to stop him from obeying God’s call. As a result of “doing it afraid,” he experienced God in an intimate way. Verse 24 says it like this: “And Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means ‘The LORD is peace’).” In the midst of his fears, he knew God’s peace. This discovery would never have happened if he’d said no.

What swayed Gideon to “do it afraid?” Personally, I think he believed God’s promise spoken twice within a few moments.

“Mighty hero, the LORD is with you” (v. 12).
“The LORD said to him, ‘I will be with you’” (v. 16).

To every believer, God has assigned the task of rescuing the lost from the enemy’s clutches. He tells us to go, to be actively involved in this mission, and then He gives us the same promise He gave to Gideon: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19,20).

The choice is ours. Say no, or say yes. Our answer reveals what we believe to be true about God – saying no means that His presence and power are insufficient for the task. Saying yes reveals the opposite and results in knowing God’s peace.

What is God asking of you today? Please don’t let the enemy win. Please – do it afraid.

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Tags: afraid, Cindy Winters, do it afraid, fear, Gideon, peace, Yahweh-Shalom
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Wholehearted Minority

Friday, April 16th, 2010

What one word best describes your Christian life? For Caleb, the word is wholehearted. It’s used to describe him three times in Joshua 14 (NLT). Verses 7,8 make the first mention:

“I was forty years old when Moses, the servant of the LORD, sent me from Kadesh-barnea to explore the land of Canaan. I returned and gave an honest report, but my brothers who went with me frightened the people from entering the Promised Land. For my part, I wholeheartedly followed the LORD my God.”

Caleb’s my hero. Unlike the majority, he refused to succumb to doubt and subsequent disobedience. He refused to focus on the obstacles, placing his sights on God’s character and promises instead. Fear paralyzed the Israelites but he moved beyond its threatening shadow. His heart was fully intent on following God no matter what.

God honors those who wholeheartedly follow Him. Unfortunately, it sometimes seems He’s dealing with a minority. While many claim their faith is strong, their actions prove otherwise when that faith is challenged beyond what’s comfortable. They succumb to fear and settle for the lowlands rather than embracing God’s commands as a challenge to conquer and possess new territory. They’re willing to do whatever God asks provided it’s easy and quick. In reality, the word half-hearted or three-quarters-hearted more accurately describes their Christian faith.

Caleb numbered among the wholehearted minority. I want to join him there. I want to rise above fear and the temptation to settle for a safe and comfortable life. I want to embrace God’s commands as opportunities to experience His promises, conquer the enemy, and possess new territory. I want to leave a legacy that shouts, “Grace wholeheartedly followed the LORD her God.” I know that comes with a cost, but Jesus deserves my best and my all.

How about you? What one word best describes your Christian life? I pray that it’s wholehearted. If not, what needs to change so you can join Caleb’s minority club?

The Iceland volcano has clouded skies and grounded thousands of flights this week. Here's a picture of blue skies over Greenland, taken two weeks ago while flying home from Europe.

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Tags: Caleb, fear, Greenland, Iceland volcano, legacy, wholehearted
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A Loaded Question

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

Questions are powerful. When properly used, they’re an effective tool in helping people identify the reason for their inner struggles and set a course of action to move beyond them. Jesus used them often, and He used them well. Take this question, for instance: “Why do you have so little faith?”

Jesus asked this as He spoke with the disciples about trusting God to provide their daily needs such as food and clothing (Luke 12:22-28). “If God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you,” He said. And then He fired the question: “Why do you have so little faith?”

Good one, eh?

Do you worry about finances? Do you stress over bills? Do you worry about money matters? I do. Granted, my stress isn’t as intense as in years past, but it still presents a challenge once in a while. And so I ask myself, “Why do I have so little faith?”

In all honesty, the answer is, “Because my understanding of God’s character is incomplete.” If I truly understood His ownership of everything on earth, His sovereignty, His ability to provide, and His unfailing love for me as His child, then confidence would bump fear to the back seat.

So what can I do to increase my faith? I believe one key lies in remembering God’s faithfulness in the past. Scripture is filled with commands to “remember” – read Deuteronomy 7:17-19 and 8:2 for starters. Over and over, God told the Israelites to remember His power and recall His faithfulness. He knew that doing so would breed courage for the present and the future. And so, when my faith feels weak, I do what Scripture says and recall instances when God proved Himself faithful in the past. Lo and behold, it works!

If you worry about your physical needs (not your wants) being met, ask yourself the question Jesus posed to His disciples: “Why do you have so little faith?” Be honest with your answer. And then tell the rest of us what you do to build your faith when it feels weak.

Sometimes provisions are fresh...very fresh. This guy's gills were still moving!

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Tags: faith, fear, finances, Luke 12, worry
Posted in Devotionals | 2 Comments »

RE: fear about going on a short-term missions trip

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Interested in going on a short-term ministry trip but struggling with fear? You’ll find some helpful thoughts on today’s blogpost.

Check out Linda’s other blogs and her new book Grandmas’s Letters From Africa. Congratulations, Linda! You set a great example for many.

www.grandmaslettersfromafrica.blogspot.com

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Tags: fear, Grandma's Letters From Africa, short-term ministry trip
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My Secret to Moving Beyond Fear

Friday, February 5th, 2010

Fear is a four-letter word. Imagine the difference if the human race could strike it once-for-all from its vocabulary. Alas – that’s not gonna happen so long as we’re warm and breathing. There’s an enemy prowling about whose desire is to prevent us from being all and experiencing all that God has planned for us. And fear is one of his major tactics.

I’m constantly receiving emails from women whose lives are impacted by fear. They’re afraid of being alone so they marry a dud or stay in an abusive relationship. They’re afraid of rejection, so they carry burdens of secrecy and guilt over something that’s happened in their past (usually an abortion). They’re afraid of failure, so they refuse to try new ventures and ultimately miss the joy of seeing God do the impossible through them.

Even though I wrote a book about moving beyond fear, I still struggle with it occasionally. Thankfully, it doesn’t consume or paralyze me anymore as in the past. Now I recognize it when it rears its ugly head. And I immediately do something about it. Here’s my simple secret:

I say, “The Lord is with me. I will trust and not be afraid.”

Call it a mantra, if you wish. Repeating this several times works for me. It washes away the negative yuck and reminds me that God is in control. He holds me in His hand, and the enemy cannot reach me there. How can I be so sure?

Psalm 23:4 says, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.” I base my confidence on this principle and promise. God’s presence is with me 24/7 because His Holy Spirit lives in me. Even when I go through really tough stuff – the darkest valley – I need not be afraid because He is there.

I think it’s interesting to note that the psalmist said, “I will not be afraid.” His heart may have been pounding out of his chest sometimes, but he made a deliberate choice to not let fear control him. It’s as though he grabbed hold of his thoughts and said, “Listen up. You’re not heading down that path. You’re going to stay here, right here….planted firmly, rooted deeply in the promise of God’s presence.”

That’s what I do. And it works. Fear cannot master my emotions anymore. It will not control my thoughts and impact my actions. It simply has no place in me because God rules.

How about you? What do you do when fear stares you in the face?

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Tags: afraid, emotions, fear, Psalm 23
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Happiness

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Ask a dozen people what brings true happiness and you’ll probably get a dozen different answers. Here are a few common replies:

Financial security
Physical health
Family harmony
Grandkids
Having a job that you really enjoy
World peace
Add your answer!

There’s no problem with experiencing happiness with any or all of the above, but trouble comes if we depend on them for happiness. Circumstances change, people change, the weather changes, the world changes. If these things on which we base our happiness change, then our emotional state will go through an upheaval, too.

So where can true happiness be found? In obeying God’s Word. I know, I know, not everyone will agree. Some folks feel God is determined to take away our fun and following His rules is restrictive. I felt that way in my teen years, but I was wrong!

Psalm 119: 35 says, “Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.” It doesn’t say, “Give me a nice house in a nice neighborhood, for that is where my happiness is found.” Neither does it say, “Give me good health until the day I die, for that is where my happiness is found,” nor “Give me a family that knows how to function properly, for that is where my happiness is found.”

Nope. Happiness is found when we do life God’s way. That doesn’t mean we’ll never have problems. It doesn’t mean we won’t take the fallout from someone else’s issues. It doesn’t mean we’ll never suffer sorrow or pain or loss. But doing life God’s way guarantees freedom from guilt. It gives us the strength to face and move beyond our fears. It gives us peace in the midst of hard times. And it guarantees joy that comes from unbroken fellowship with Jesus.

Where is happiness found? Not in anything we can see or touch. It comes from doing life God’s way. Let’s make v. 34 our prayer: “God, give me understanding and I will obey your law; I will put it into practice with all my heart.”

Have you ever based your happiness on anything other than walking according to God’s commands? If so, what was it, and what happened?

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Tags: fear, freedom from guilt, happiness, joy, Psalm 119:35
Posted in Devotionals | 1 Comment »

GraceFox

Posts Tagged ‘fear’

Insights About Fear and Praise

Dealing with Discouragement

Fear and the Storms of Life

No Reason to Fear

Do it Afraid

Wholehearted Minority

A Loaded Question

RE: fear about going on a short-term missions trip

My Secret to Moving Beyond Fear

Happiness

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