Thursday, March 27, 2014

So Long, Fear!



See that Fear? All that underlining and notes and stuff? Did you notice where it says STOP? Did ya?

I am, once and for all, kicking my fear of rejection to the curb! One of the verses I am using to do that is Philippians 4:6-7. The picture above shows my verse mapping for it. No, I didn't do it in June of last year, I did it today. I used the camera at the preschool and we don't have the date set on it! ANYWAY....
I will take you through it a little at a time. "Do not" translates as STOP. (I actually wrote 'as in STOP!'). I need to stop letting fear grab me and lead me away from God.

When I got to "anxious" I looked at my study Bible (NIV) and the notes said self-centered, counter-productive worry (fear). I don't know about you, but I can certainly be self-centered at times, maybe more than I should be. Allowing my fear of rejection to be in control is certainly counter-productive to living a God-filled life.

"...anything" to me means big and/or small stuff, "everything" as in all were my next insights. This was followed by "prayer, and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  God hears my prayers, both said and unsaid. I went to the note section again and found that thanksgiving along with prayer and petition are the antidote to worry (or fear). The notes went on to say that "Anxiety and prayer are two great opposing forces in Christian experience." Wow! Anxiety can lead me away from God and my prayer life or I can use prayer to combat my anxiety! When we take all our cares, worries, etc. to God during our prayer time, we leave them with God and worry about them no more. Just dump them write there and walk away.

"And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Peace brings to mind contentment and tranquility. A quiet pond with lilies floating on top is what I think of when I hear the word "tranquility." There is so much about God that He doesn't want us to know and my understanding of Him is minute. Transcend is to go beyond my ability to understand, but even so, I trust Him and believe in Him. Around the word "guard" I drew what is supposed to be like a fortress or strong tower because that is the image that popped into my head. I didn't draw a sentry standing outside the door, but there was one of those in my image too.  God guards and protects me 24/7 my entire life. ADT can't even do that!

My hope is that you have been able to "kick fear to the curb" once and for all or are on the way there. Blessings as you continue down the path God has laid out before you!

4 comments:

  1. Great post! I think I am going to make a God box again. I had one years ago when my son was in the hospital. I wrote down my worries and fears and put them in the box and let them go. It really helped along with my prayers and gave me some extra reassurance. God bless you!

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    1. Jennifer that is a really great idea! I think I am going to do that with my kids at home! :) Thank you for taking the time to read my blog!

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  2. Good post, thankful for the guard. It reminds me that as I put a guard on my heart that I will have the peace of God, but also that it needs to be there for out of it-my heart, flow the issues of life-so I am choosing God's peace as my guard!! :)

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  3. Valerie I love the guard on your heart! :) I am glad you stopped by on Saturday! God's blessings!

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