In the Bible study What Happens When Women Say Yes to God at the end of chapter 1 Lysa asks, "What is holding you back from going deeper in your relationship with God?"
The resounding answer is FEAR. Dark and ugly fear!
Fear of failure, fear of being judged by others, fear of my loved one's not liking this new path I am on, fear of what God may ask of me, fear I won't be able to do what God asks of me. Just plain, old, fear.
Which made me think, what is fear? Fear only means unknown, not knowing what is going to happen. Or it means trying to avoid pain. Then I think of Jesus on the cross and all the pain he endured for me and for all people. Talk about a fearless leader. But even he questioned God, even he went to God in prayer. So why am I being so hard on myself? Fear is natural. Maybe this will be a huge lesson for me on how much God can take these fears from me...I hope so!
When I prayed about it to God, this was the response that flowed on to my journal page:
Give me all your fears, I can handle them and more. I AM with you.
Since I have never gone to the Bible to try and find verses to help with fear, I was most nervous to search scripture and find how the Word of God can support me in releasing my fears. I used the internet to help, I am in awe of how much God wants to help us with our fears. Here are some of the verses that spoke to me the most. I just feel so much of God's love pouring into me. I hope you can feel it to in these verses!
It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the Lord, you are safe. -Proverbs 29:25 (GNB)
Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. -Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV)
The Lord will keep you safe. He will not let you fall into a trap. -Proverbs 3:26 (GNB)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. -John 14:27 (NIV)
Lord Jesus, I pray to release my fears and surrender to you. I pray you will give me the courage to follow you and say YES when you ask me to. I have my palms up, I am ready to trust in you. Amen.
G'day Elizabeth. I can totally relate to your post - fear is the absolute #1 reason why I say "no" to God far more often than I say "yes". In fact, I even fear writing a blog saying "yes" to God just in case He might ask me to do something I don't want to do.
ReplyDeleteLove the scriptures you included - great reminders.
God bless
Love
Nicki
Love all the verses! I struggle from FEAR too - but want to be a 'YES" girl instead. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for opening yourself up and sharing!
ReplyDeleteFear is a big one, for many women, you are not alone. All of us Christians are in this together, we can stand in agreement and pray for one other. I'll be praying that you will walk in peace and be able to say "Yes" to the mighty blessings that God has for you. Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I love how you shared your heart with us in your post today. Praying in agreement with you that you will continue to have the courage to say "Yes to God"!!
ReplyDeleteIn His love,
Pat (OBS Facebook leader)
Beautifully written! I once was told that fear is "false expectations appearing real." I try to tell myself this everyday that I experience fear and doubt.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing how you are dealing with your fear. My fears are often illogical, but they seem real all the same. I appreciated the verses :)
ReplyDeleteProverbs 3:26 is perfect for me. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteFear is also my enemy but hoping to lose some of that fear through this study. Great post, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFear is a natural response! It keeps us from doing "stupid" things, you know ... like: jumping off cliffs, running out in moving traffic. It also motivates us to action! Like if my daughter was in moving traffic, my fear for her safety would propel me right in the middle of it to protect her. Fear also paralyzes us ... This is the fear we have to be on guard for. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can do ALL things through Christ who gives us strength! :) Enjoyed your post!!
ReplyDeleteYou described me to a T!!! I am struggling with this too! But, after I read what you wrote in your journal, "Give me all your fears, I can handle them and more. I AM with you" I feel like I can ask God to take my fears and he will guide me! Thank you for writing this, I feel like this has been the turning point for me! :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Thanks for your honesty <3 love it!
ReplyDeleteI think many people can say fear is a big thing. It is definitely for me. Thank you for sharing those scriptures. It definitely help.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! The entire things spoke to my heart and convicted me of holding on to fears that I need to let go of.
ReplyDeleteBlessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. -Jeremiah 17:7 (NIV)
Trust the Lord. In June my brother was admitted to the hospital about 3 or 4 times, tests we done and still nothing shows up as to what was making him so sick (he is doing well now). A few weeks ago during my ladies bible class we talked about our fears and stressors. My mom talked about how she was so afraid when my brother was sick, she wanted to be strong for him. She gathered her faith and prayed and gave my brother over to God. It hit me, we trust God with our salvation, we trust God to heal our loved ones yet we don't trust Him for some of the most basic things. This is an area I am struggle with now and your blog could not have come at a better time! Thank you!!
Your blog is wonderful! I have been a Christian for a long time but just THIS YEAR really started to delve into what God has for me. Sort of like just putting your toes into the water. So, like you I am jumping in!
ReplyDeleteOh, isn't fear such a big deterrent in our faith-walk? I feel some of those same fears-of failure, of criticism....
ReplyDeleteHere's one of my favorite verses to cling to: Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
I love how our God knows that we fear and doesn't condemn us for it, but chooses to encourage us through it. He does it so often in Scripture, announcing big plans for His people with this beginning: "Fear Not."
Alright, I just had a Lysa moment when everything I just wrote and was so happy with is gone. Gone.
ReplyDeleteSo, here goes this comment take two.
You are not alone sweet sister. I believe that if most of us are truly honest with ourselves and God, we are all afraid and probably most of the time. It isn't easy to follow God and to be a #yestoGod girl. As a matter of fact, it is probably one of the hardest things we could ever do. After all, we do have a very real enemy out there roaming about seeking whom he may devour. Believe me sister, he is at work and HARD at it. I know from personal experience as many of my fellow sisters do.
I want to encourage you as you dig into the word of God finding verses to help you. I told the girls on Wednesday night that we must memorize Scripture and dig into His word because the Holy Spirit will bring it right back to us at the moment we need it. Just when we need that verse the most is when He gives it to us. Jesus combated Satan using Scripture. If the Son of God, my Lord and Savior had to do that, then I KNOW I better do it. After all, there is power in His name and in His voice.
I want to leave with you two more verses that God has given me this week during my own personal devotion times with him. The first is found in Joshua chapter 1 verse 9: Haven't I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. It is such a comfort to me to hear those words. I have reminded myself often and taught them to my children as well, especially my daughter as she is facing her own fears right now. God is with us wherever we go. Wherever we go, He is there, so why should we fear or be discouraged? I can't really think of any reason. Be of comfort, God is with you wherever you go.
The second is found in 1 Chronicles chapter 22 verse 13. It is when Kind David is talking to his son Solomon about construction of the temple. The Word of God says this "Then you will succeed if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid or discouraged.
Again, God is with you wherever you go. Follow Him even if you are alone while doing do because are we ever really alone? NO! He goes with us wherever we go.
Praying for you dear sister as you walk through this journey of life.
Fear is what holds me back as well so I can definitely relate. In fact, my post for this blog hop was also about fear. It is comforting to know we aren't alone in our struggles. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI remember when I first reached out to Jesus and asked him into my life. My younger brother had shared his heart with me and God melted my frozen heart. Even though I knew God had spoken to me, I was paralyzed by fear - fear of not being good enough, fear of failing - but my most overpowering fear was that I would disappoint my brother and embarrass him with this friends. Up till then, I had never really been able to follow through with anything. I always gave up or backed away. It took me weeks to get up to the courage to let my brother know I had asked Jesus into my life. I was 23 then, I'm 53 now. I've never looked back and while my walk has gone up and down, my relationship with God has never wavered. God has been faithful and taught me to 'follow through' by following him.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I myself am working with God right now on fears. Fears the enemy placed a stronghold on my life to try and destroy me from being free. I have been listening to Freedom Ministries at Gateway Church on line regarding fear and inner vows and that process is helping me find the root of my fears so that I can heal from them and be Free in Christ. I love the verses you looked up and they are so powerful when the enemy tries to strike. You are doing amazing seeking God on how to work with you through this.
ReplyDeleteOh, how I related to this posting! Fear is also what has held me back. I have to stop listening to the fear, and start focusing on hearing God's promises and His truth!
ReplyDeleteI believe fear is the biggest thing holding me back also. I find myself terrified of the things He is currently asking my to do. I have committed to doing them.
ReplyDeleteI'm also afraid of not knowing if it's actually Him telling me or my own flesh wanting recognition, or some reward, when I do what He wants. I'm also scared of completely loosing certain family members b/c they already think I've gone off the deep end with this "religion thing".
I am going to follow through. I'm committed. Scared or not. :)
Very well said! Thank you for helping me pin point wonderful verses about fear. I hate to admit to myself that I am afraid of the unknown but it is the truth.
ReplyDeleteLove all the verses!!! Yeah FEAR has been my enemy for years. GREAT post!
ReplyDeleteI think the Lord knows all about about our frail hearts: even when we are walking His walk. I tell my children that we determine to live by His word and not how we feel.If He says it, He can do it! We go through so many ups and downs and get trapped by our emotional response.
ReplyDeleteHis Word does not change and in my life, things change dramatically all the time. So I want to stand still and Hear His Word, then I am rooted and grounded in Him and not tossed about.
Be encouraged because we are all in this boat!
He will not ask us to do something He does not equip us to do: how awesome is the Lord's view of us, because I dont think we have such a high opinion of our abilities. But nothing is impossible for God.
Even in trouble I have difficulty handing it all over to Jesus, even though He has rescued me countless times.
So I am starting- again- today to pray first( not last)refuse to be afraid -that's not from Him -and walk in faith.
I love the subtitle of your blog. This is a personal journey for us all and intimacy with our Lord is the goal. Thank you for writing about fear. I would love to tell you that some day the fears will all go away, but there is no guarantee of that. Instead, I have learned that despite whatever fears the enemy throws at me, my God is strong enough to handle them all. It's not that I conquer my fears per se, but rather that I learn how to give them all to HIM! Holding you up in prayer, my friend!
ReplyDelete