Today's Devotional Thought
November 02, 2011 by Rachel Piferi
Fear to Faith
I don't care how old we are, whether we are married or single, whether we work or are a stay home mom, or any other differences that we think we have, we are all women. And with that fact, comes some strikingly similarities. And I had a day Monday that I think all women have and dare I say, is part of the beauty and mystery of being a woman.
I woke up exhausted from the weekend. The weekend was full of family obligations, personal challenges, ministry opportunities, and normal chores. And needless to say, there was little downtime. And while I did enjoy the weekend overall, my heart and my body were tired on Monday.
After I got my children off to school, I clicked around the internet on Monday morning, reading all my favorite blogs and checking out the recently posted Halloween pictures from family and friends on Facebook. And then out of nowhere, my soul went from just weary from the weekend to deeply saddened by something I was reading. You see, I found myself on a blog that was discussing a topic, a fear really, that cuts deep in my soul. A fear that on many days I can suppress, but for some reason resurfaced in conversation this weekend and in my reading on Monday morning.
And then I sat there, so very sad by this resurfaced fear.
I know you've been there. Unless I'm alone, I believe all women have those deep scars that get picked at every now and then, oftentimes out of the blue. And they really hit us hard emotionally.
So what do you do?
Let me tell you what I did...
The first thing I did was criticize myself for still struggling with this issue. I mean, I thought I had given it to God and we were good. Apparently not.
After a little self inflicted criticism, I cried. It really hurts after all. Without sharing what the issue is, it is a deep fear that I have that will take something very precious from me. It is something that cannot be controlled by me and something that if it did occur would leave me devastated.
So, I cried. Funny thing is, I cried and mourned it as if it actually happened. And, it hasn't happened. It is just fear. Have you ever done that? I have actually played this fear out in my mind. I have played out the logic of how it will happen. What my response will be. And, ultimately I can feel the emotions of it as if it was actually happening and it makes me so sad. And I sat there really sad by it.
Maybe I'm the only one who does this, but I tend to think not.
After I cried, I heard a little voice say, "Rachel, this is ridiculous. Don't do this."
I have come to recognize that little voice as a very powerful, safe, and sovereign voice. One that I have learned to fully surrender to and one that if followed, leads down a path that is best for me. The path that I am supposed to go down.
So, I listened to that trusted voice. But more than just listening, I did what that loving voice told me to do.
I dried my eyes, stepped away from my laptop, took a shower, cleaned my house, and praised God for taking my fears tenderly in his hands and not dismissing them, but reassuring me by saying, "I know you fear this, but you need to know that I will not allow anything to happen to you that is not best for you overall. Even in loss, I will bring good (Romans 8:28). So, do not let the enemy fill your mind and your day with destructive thoughts and feelings about this today. And do not be sad by what you fear. I got ya and I'm fighting for you."
Sweet friends, I do not think I am alone in my experience of fear and emotions. As women, I think we all can get consumed emotionally by things we fear. But God does not want us to live in fear. He wants us to live in full confidence that he is in control, that he loves us, and that he will bring his best for us if we walk in obedience to him.
Be bold today sweet sisters and do not be consumed by fear of loss, fear of betrayal, or fear of the unknown. Be consumed today by God and his love and his sovereign guidance. Turn your fear into an opportunity to express faith in him. Listen to that loving voice and do what he says to do in full confidence that he does not want you to be afraid. And walk boldly today sweet friends. Walk boldly.
December