Fear Not....

Yeah right!  One of the Motherwise Bible studies I completed this past year had a lesson on fear.  When I was reading it at the time I thought to myself, "Hmmm?  I am not a fearful person."  Funny how the Lord works.  Since then, I have become fully aware of just exactly how fearful I am and well, it isn't pretty.  In fact, it is pretty ugly!  One of my blogging friends, who is also a friend from college just recently blogged on practically the same topic stating, "Christ didn't die for me to live in fear.  He died so that I may LIVE!"  I hate being so fearful.  Do you think it is part of becoming a mother?  Do you think it is part of becoming older?  I find myself fearful of things that never seemed to bother me before.  Hmmm?  Anyhow, I say this because I am really struggling with some of these fears.  See, what I am realizing is that many of these fears are being fed by lies.  Another friend just recently asked for prayer for another friend who has succumbed to listening to the enemy's lies.  WOW...feeling a little double sucker punched!  Guess I am exposing myself because the best way to combat lies and fears is by really getting into the Word.  Because I believe in keeping it real, here are some of my fears...

weird weather
rejection / loneliness

failure (on so many levels)

disappointing others

"So we say with confidence,
'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?'"
Hebrews 13:6
Psalm 118:6

Today as I was reading His word, I read the following passage from 2 Timothy 4:16-17,

"At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me.  May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, ..."

Paul was going before the court and no one, not a single person, came to support him. Who am I to have fear?  Paul faced so many trials, as did so many other Bible heros, and they had the faith to stand on a firm foundation.  Fear, like many other sins of the flesh, is rooted in being selfish.

I am realizing I could go on and on and on....so I will stop for now.