Fear.
It’s real.
It’s suffocating at times.
It can keep you from seeing the truth.
The truth about yourself. About your spouse. Your children. Your situation.
I have struggled with fear for such a long time.
And I never acknowledged it. Or even understood that fear was what I was suffering under the weight of.
The weight of “what if’s”.
What if we don’t have enough money to pay the bills?
What if something is wrong with my child’s health?
What if I’m not a good friend?
What if people judge me because I don’t say “yes” to everything I’m capable of?
Are you like me?
I am learning that there are beautiful things that lie just underneath my fear.
And that Christ came to set me free.
Free from fear.
Free to live out a life of abandon in Him.
Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (NIV) image credit
*This post is part of Lisa-Jo Baker’s 5 Minute Friday series, where she encourages bloggers to write for 5 minutes each Friday on a specific topic. Free writing. No edits. Writing just for the sheer joy of it. Today’s topic was “SEE”.
I pray today that you see yourself through God’s eyes. As a precious child who is secure in knowing the Father knows you through and through, cares for you deeply, and will provide abundantly. In spite of our fears!
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Yes, I’m like you! I’m learning to push away the fear, and God is healing my heart and my mind! We have to believe the TRUTH instead of the LIES. So glad I found your blog!
Yes, it’s definitely a process! I am finding the more I fill my mind with God’s word (truth) the less fear I feel. Glad you’re enjoying the blog!
will be pondering that phrase “beautiful things underneath my fear.” and, of course i immediately started humming along gungor’s “beautiful things” as i read. happy 5mf!
Oh, Gungor is one of my favorites! Such an incredible song with so much truth in it.
Yes, unfortunately I think fear has way too much of a place in my life. Thank you for the good reminder that it shouldn’t have any place at all.
Absolutely! It is definitely easier said than done, but that’s why I just love that verse from Galatians. Freedom is evidence of Christ working in us!
So glad to see you at Five Minute Friday, LeeAnn!! This was a great post. We are meant to live in freedom. The tagline on my email for years has been a line from an old Garth Brooks song: “Heaven’s not beyond the clouds; it’s just beyond the fear.” I think it’s so true!
Thanks Holly! I have been encouraged by your blog and am excited to be part of the blogging community now. I’ve sat on the sidelines helping Chuck with his blog and social media all year long (which I’ve loved!) but I finally decided that God has something he wants me to share on my own. It is scary at times (hence this post on fear!) but the feedback I’ve received so far is evidence that I do need to continue to share. So excited!
I grew up in fear, although, as you said- I dont think I knew that was the weight I was suffering under. Such freedom has come with the discovery of how much God loves me and that He is not disappointed in me. Im so glad I stopped by!
Growing up in fear in a Christian home is a sad reality that many of us experienced. While oftentimes not intentional, the focus on works and rules hindered the development of true relationship with our heavenly Father. Thanks for sharing & stopping by!
Oh fear…feels like I’m always battling that thing!! Great post:)
Hi Charissa, thanks for stopping by! I took a peak at your website. Many blessings to you and your husband for the new adventure God is taking you on!
Yes, I have different kind of fears every day. One of my biggest fears currently is getting consumed by my blogging efforts to create an additional stream of income and losing focus on things that truly matter like my relationship with God and my family. I get on my knees every day and as God to guide me in every step I take so that I may honor Him and serve Him in all I do. I fear failure, but I know He will provide what is best . . . I just have to let Him lead me.
This is a valid fear and something we need to guard against. This morning I started working on my blog before I did my quiet time. I need to make sure and keep my priorities straight. Thankful for the grace he shows me daily!
Hummm…lots to think about when reading your post. I too struggle with fear. What would my life look like if I could fully grasp the freedom that Christ came to set free?
That very thing is what I’ll be exploring on the blog here! It’s a journey, but one worth taking. Be sure and sign up in the sidebar for email updates if you’d like to follow along!
Seeing as how I know you personally (just literally sat beside you in group for 2 hours!) I wanted you to know that I truly ADMIRE you for taking this step of Faith in starting this blog!!!! You have such a STRENGTH that ENCOURAGES me on a not only a weekly but also a daily basis! I’m humbly grateful for our friendship and reading these post, shows just how much you are willing to step out of your comfort zone to reach out to help others come, know, and love Jesus!!!!!! Love you!
Thanks so much for the encouragement Tamara!
I love your perspective on the things that can distort the way we SEE things. Beautiful post and beautiful freedom we have indeed been given.
Thanks for sharing at Essential Fridays.
Blessings
Mel from Essential Thing Devotions
Glad to be a part!