Fear

Once again, I have been reminded that living in the glass house brings with it a loss of anonymity.  People will know details about you and your family and in reality you could never pick them out of a line up.  Most of the time this will not be a cause for concern but let’s be reminded we are living in times that we need to “be as wise as a serpent and as innocent as a dove.”

My family is familiar to ministering to the needs of many.  In fact,  it has been a common practice all of our ministry lives to shelter or feed any who have need.  It has not been uncommon for us to have late night visits or to have people who are in crisis show up at our door.  Recently though, my young adult daughter was home alone.  My husband was headed to a Wednesday night prayer time, out of cell range.  I was out of town and answered her face time expecting to greet her with smiles and instead was greeted with, “I don’t know what I need to do.”  As it turns out there was a woman at our door who would not leave and had been parked in our front yard for some time. My daughter wasn’t really afraid, but she has a keen sense of discernment and felt that the situation was off.  Normally, she would have answered the door, explained where we were and done what she could but this time she had not and now felt trapped as to the next steps.  She wasn’t afraid of speaking with the woman but didn’t feel like she needed to be alone.  Fortunately, I called a couple of minister’s from our home church and the situation was soon taken into hand and ended without incident.

In the past few weeks, I have visited with some ministry women who are living in fear.   The fear of events in our country and around the world have a few of them paralyzed.  I’m speaking of Christian women.  Yes, they know how this ends.  WE WIN!  Yet, while they know the truth, the vulnerability of situations have brought to the surface the loss of control.  When a woman feels out of control – fear manifests.  Our great enemy loves to use fear.

Fear drives you to react irrationally and emotionally.  There are two types of fear that I know well. One type of fear is of dangerous snakes. I grew up on a farm and I knew that as I worked with my dad I was to be on the look out for the poisonous snakes that would strike without warning.  It was a healthy fear to be aware of my surroundings and to be on watch.  I was to stay alert and be keenly aware of the places that I was stepping.   I didn’t stop working.  I couldn’t there was work to be done for the farm to function as it should.  Do you get where I’m going with this?

We don’t know what’s around the corner but we have life to live.  We have a mission.  We have children to raise.  Grandchildren to love.  Ministry to fulfill.   “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (I Peter 5:8)  Stay alert.  Keep working.  Keep living.  Keep listening and trusting.  You have not been sent out without instruction.  “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)

The fear that should endure is found in Psalm 111:10, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever.”  Focus ladies.  Keep our God as your focus.  Do NOT let circumstances control you.  Release your control to Him.  He knows where you are.  He knows the plans He has for you.  Fear HIM.  Keep learning on Him and putting into practice what He has taught you.  We might not be in safety.  Harm might come.  We might have great losses.  I wish I could tell you that there will never be times of great fear – that would be a lie.  Fear will come.  Suit up as we are commanded in Ephesians 6:10-20. As best you can understand the battle that we are waging. Be aware. Surrender your fears to Him daily.  Use the armor to protect yourself and your family and stand firm.  Pray all the time for your family and the family of God on the front lines.

Most of us will not be required to withstand the onslaught of the enemy but a few of us will have the privilege of suffering greatly for the cause of the Gospel.  Don’t give in to the lies. Strive to live in perfect love.  ¹⁸ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. ¹⁹ We love, because He first loved us. (I John 4:18-19) Keep loving others. The battle is real.  It’s upon us.  Face it and He will carry us through!

Praying for your strength and your ability to live in faith!  Post a comment below or sign in for privacy and post here.

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Praying for each of you!