No, I'm not actually moving again . . .

at least not any time in the near future . . .

I'm back in the study Overcoming Fear this week,

and the topic of discussion is how we react to moves or transitions in our lives.

The author addresses this concept as follows:

"Even little 'moves' in life, like the move to a new career or promotion at work, the move to a new, deeper level of friendship, or the move to a new responsibility at church can raise the question What's going to happen?

"Any transition -- no matter how big or small -- is usually accompanied by a fear of uncertainty. If left unchecked, that fear can take root in your life and eventually make you want to avoid change. You can become resistant to new things, and worse resistant to the change God wants to do in your life, family, or community."

So, what happens next? How can we overcome the "what ifs," the unknowns, the transitions in our lives that leave us unnerved and paralyzed at times?

First, remember that you are not the first person to have ever been called to something new without being given all the details ahead of time.

• Read Genesis 6: 11-22; 8:14-22 for Noah's story

• Read Genesis 12:1-4; Hebrews 11:8-12 for Abraham's story

• Read Luke 1:26-38 and Luke 2:6-7 for Mary's story

I take comfort in these stories of faith and find they didn't have all the details before they were called to move forward into obedience. They agreed to do what they were called, regardless of the circumstances they might face or uncertainty along the way.

The author wraps up this lesson by referring to the key verse for the week:

Labels: brave, faith, fearless friday, freedom

I'm starting a new Bible study. This is just from the introduction, yet I found it powerful for me today:

"Did you know that fear can be good for you? No, really! A healthy amount of fear serves as a reminder to avoid danger. It can help us be more safety-conscious. The awareness that something bad could happen often causes us to do something good . . .

"Unhealthy fear is paralyzing. It prevents us from experiencing and living the life God intended. It limits our potential. Fear can hinder us from enjoying rich relationships, amazing experiences, and a meaningful life.

"Fear can even stop us from fulfilling the call that God has on our lives. Left unchecked, fear can ties us to the past, push us toward sin, and prevent us from embracing our God-ordained future. That's one reason we find the same phrase echoing throughout His Word: 'Fear not!' Through His Son, Jesus, God has set us free from the unhealthy fears that bind us and hold us back." (taken from Overcoming Fear by Margaret Feinberg, Women of Faith Study Guide Series)

These words spoke powerfully to my heart today, and I haven't even started the study yet! I don't want my fears to prevent me from being who God wants me to be. I plan to walk through my weekend with my life verse echoing in my head as I go about the tasks God has set before me.

This weekend is a busy one with The Hobbit, especially as I keep finding myself in unfamiliar territory -- putting on makeup (on goblins, and other creatures), adjusting costumes in order to avoid wardrobe malfunctions, and anything else that comes along.

I pray for all of you as well as for myself that we will remember to live the life God has intended for us . . . one Without Fear.

FEAR= False Evidence Appearing Real

Labels: brave, faith, fearless friday, God's Word, truth

I thought I'd share with you the following fun fact (taken from The Book of Lists by David Wallechinsky and Amy Wallace):

The top ten human fears, in reverse order, are:

10. Dogs
9. Loneliness
8. Flying
7. Death
6. Sickness
5. Deep water
4. Financial problems
3. Insects and bugs
2. Heights
1. Speaking before a group

I don't have all of these fears. I'm sure many of you don't either. Yet, I nodded and agreed with several of them as I read down this list:

• I have my frequent bouts with fear of bugs, yet never as often as when living on the coast.

• Loneliness has been a continual companion in seasons of my life. I don't fear it in the same way as when I was younger. It drives me to lean on Jesus more.
• Financial issues probably strike a chord of fear in my heart unlike any other. Yet, here, too, I am learning to cast my cares more frequently on Him and watch Him provide for me in ways I often can't comprehend.
• Death has been at the forefront of my mind in the past few weeks, and I have wrestled in the recesses of my own thoughts as to whether it scares me or not. At times I find peace in knowing I will be with my Father in heaven, and at others I quake inside over leaving all I know to be real in the here and now.
  

I guess what I am trying to communicate here is that we all share fears that can cripple us, render us immobile for a period of time, or crush us if we allow them to do so.

My prayer for all of us who share these common fears is that we take them to Jesus, leave them at His feet, and walk on throughout each day unencumbered by them. I pray we can live moment by moment "Without Fear" remembering the truth of God's Word:


FEAR=False Evidence Appearing Real

Labels: brave, fearless friday, God's Word, truth

I love the photo above, because it shows that though the sunrise is visible we must still gaze through the clouds in order to see God's glorious plans for the day. The rolling countryside in front of the fabulous display of color represents the climb we must take in order to reach the pinnacle of what God has for us.

At times I can liken the struggles and uncertainties I face to a fear of leaping over the obstacles in my path and reaching out in faith for the beauty God has for me on the other side. He stands waiting. My only requirement is to leave the fear behind.

I have been seeing the sunrise peeking through the clouds lately. The enemy wants nothing more than to obliterate that sign of hope in my life and in yours.

Let us cling to this truth today:

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10 (NKJV)

“Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the 'someday I'll' philosophy.”

FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real

Labels: brave, fearless friday, life

"Do the thing you fear to do and keep on doing it... that is the quickest and surest way ever yet discovered to conquer fear."

-- Dale Carnegie


"In this world there is always danger for those who are afraid of it."

-- George Bernard Shaw

"The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?"

Psalm 27:1

FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real

Labels: brave, fearless friday

"Ultimately we know deeply that the other side of every fear is a freedom."

Marilyn Ferguson

Labels: brave, faith, fearless friday, flowers, freedom

***Doggy Days of Summer Participants***: Scroll down for the first two winners. All other winners will be announced by 9pm today Eastern time.

“You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.”

Mary Manin Morrissey

“Love is what we were born with. Fear is what we learned here.” Anonymous

" And you and your children and grandchildren must fear the Lord your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life." Deuteronomy 6:2 (NLT)

I pray for myself today for all of you who read that we would be more likely to follow the truth of God's Word than "what we learn here."

Walk forth without fear today, for as Jesus told His disciples:

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV)

Labels: brave, faith, fearless friday

I don't know about you, but I get really comfortable with sameness.

I go to the same stores to shop.

I travel the same roads just about every time I have somewhere to go in my town.

I rarely step out of the norm or my comfort zone to do anything wild and fearless.

Yet, my heart longs for it. I am wired for adventure.

I think that is why God throws me a curve ball or two, here and there. He wants to remind me regularly that I am "On His Adventure" ~ not just as some cutesy signature, but for real, for life.

I've been re-reading Captivating over the past couple of days, and what the Eldredge's so eloquently communicate is this:

Every woman in her heart longs for three things: to be romanced, *to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, and to unveil beauty. That's what makes a woman come alive.
*emphasis mine.

I am one of those women. You (with the exception of the two guys that read this blog) are one of those women, too.

So, how do we become more like that in our everyday lives? How do we "play that irreplaceable role?"

The detailed answers to those questions are for another post indeed, but I think the following verse gives us a place to start:

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God . . . For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1: 6,7 (NIV)

God did not give the gifts mentioned above only to some believers. He gave them to all of us. The version of His Word that I usually read replaces "self-discipline" with a "sound mind", but I like this version better for this particular illustration.

If we discipline ourselves to "stepping out" fearlessly, regardless of the size of the task or its seeming magnitude in our lives -- how much more will we be relying on God's spirit of power, and of love. We can make a difference in our days and our ability to access that adventure we so long to be a part of, if we follow the Word of our Heavenly Father -- who sets an adventure before us each and every day.

The question is: "Am I ready to join Him in the adventure?"

Are you?

Labels: adventure, brave, fearless friday, stepping out

Sometimes it takes an extra measure of fearlessness to be different in the midst of a field of sameness.

I am the dandelion in the midst of all these daisies.

I am fearless and a bit impulsive.

I am the strong and tough "weed" that keeps coming back after being pulled and re-moved over and over again.

I am hearty.

I am resilient.

My roots grow deep, when I find where I want to be.

Yet, my fluff can be blown carelessly by the wind when I am all used up.

I have learned that many are put off by the presence of a dandelion, but many are also drawn to its brightness.

Children pluck me and carry me around in sweaty, grimy fists. They present me like a trophy to their waiting mamas.

Mamas can't refuse me, for I am the symbol of all that is pure and innocent and summery.

I am fearless. I am wild. I am sunshiny bright and ever-present.

I am who He made me to be.

"But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine." Isaiah 43:1

Labels: brave, fearless friday, unafraid