I’m at a crossroads in my life. I’m in the driver’s seat of every vehicle at the four way stop, but we (me, myself, and I) have arrived at the same nanosecond.
As I try to loosen my grip on the steering wheel, wondering turns into fret, with anxiety quickly on its’ heels. Fear is hiding close in the shadows, waiting to pounce and zap me.
It’s like Max says, “Fear overtakes other emotions because it’s the default emotion; it’s what comes natural. Faith is one of the only emotions that demands a decision. By nature, we are fearful people, we have to decide to have faith, and we have to choose to have hope.”
Even Jesus asks me, “Why are you fearful?”. I think to myself as I read Fearless, the latest release by Max Lucado “Not me, I’m not afraid. I’m pretty brave and a little bit sassy. I don’t let fear dominate my life!”
But if I was really honest with you (and myself), I’d pull out my boo box from under my bed and show you my fears, the ones I feed and allow to grow; trying to get home before it gets dark when my husband is out of town, wondering if this month will change our status as a family, if I’m too much – or worse yet – not enough, doubting my dreams, learning to run and trying not to finish last, using the gifting I’ve been given or never truly being creative.
“Fear it seems has taken a hundred-year lease on the building next door and set up shop. Oversized and rude, fear is unwilling to share the heart with happiness. Happiness complies and leaves.”
The two can’t coexist, happiness and fear. Ouch.
What, or better yet, who do I have to blame for my stolen joy, lack of contentment, or continued search for just-out-of-reach happiness?
Maybe it’s not my circumstances (shocking I know!). Maybe it’s accepting fear, allowing it to take up residence. Maybe I kicked out the joy in my life. Maybe I did it to myself.
I think I gaze at her every day in the mirror. That’s right, it’s me.
“Fear never wrote a symphony or poem, negotiated a peace treaty, or cured a disease. Fear never pulled a family out of poverty or a country out of bigotry. Fear never saved a marriage or a business. Courage did that. Faith did that. But fear itself? Fear herds us into a prison and slams the door.”
Can you relate to that feeling? You and I might call it ‘paralyzed’ or ‘stunned’ or even worse ‘new normal.’ But I know there’s a way out of this prison.
It’s time to take the keys from Jesus, unlock the prison door, and walk out of fear like Peter . . . amazed by the beauty and grace of life. I can see my happiness through the rusty bars . . . knowing on the other side I can be fearless and faithful.
“Take courage! I am here.” – Jesus
What fear is holding you in prison? Will you walk out with me into the sunshine of freedom?
So you can be impacted like I was, we’re including a FREE Fearless book by Max Lucado for the first 50 people who purchase this.
Leave a Comment
Kristen - Moms Sharpening Moms says
Fear of not having the good opinion of others (not pleasing them) has certainly been my prison, but I feel like I’m making progress towards total freedom from this stronghold. It has been a battle, but one I’m determined to win. I’ve got Him on my side, so who (or what) can stand against me?
Claire says
What a lovely, insightful post.
Cxx
Chrissy says
“The two can’t coexist, happiness and fear. Ouch.”
Oh, how I’ve learned that lesson. I want to be happy, and yet I find that I live with so much fear of “what might happen”… as irrational as my fears might be… and I can truly never really be happy. God hass carried me through some rough times, and I’ve no reason to believe He won’t do that now, but my faith is often weak. So for me, For me, I know it’s learning to have more faith in Him. Sounds so simple, doesn’t it?
Kerry says
Thanks for the insight this morning..Gives me some things to consider and think about in my life.
Rebecca says
I have the book Fearless, but I haven’t started it yet – but do I need to!
I am also facing a crossroads, and yes, Fear is gripping me. Fear of doing the ‘wrong’ thing of making the ‘wrong’ decision.
Clinging to Faith and praying that I hear God clearly.
Thank-you for this today!
Leslie says
Just placed my order & hope I’m one of the first 50! That book has been on my To Buy list since I first read about it! Can’t wait!
thegypsymama says
Thank you Stephanie for this profound insight into the heart of fear. And what it takes to break out.
Pamela says
After several car accidents during my early teens, fear constantly paralyzed me when driving, or riding with others. Then, it grew. Plane rides, new ventures, when money was short, and on and on.
“I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” Ps 34:4
I read this and I believe it forever changed my life. I could be released, delivered….free. I’m still a work in progress, and just got Fearless by MLucado myself, but, oh boy, God is answering! My fav quote thus far:
“It’s not the absence of storms that sets us apart. It’s whom we discover in the storm: an unstirred Christ.”
Alana says
Wow, thats wonderful. Just what I needed today!
Deb says
Today is 11 months and still no work/no clients; essentially no income. Single mom who just used up her last $150 in savings. I am scared… but I CHOSE to believe that God has a plan for me.
KS*Rebecca says
I choose to believe God is blessing me financially, emotionally and physically.
Paula Jean says
Thank you for this insightful post. I have been journalling about this topic the past few days. I’ve even used some of the same fear words, ‘paralized’ and ‘stunned’. It was a little gift to find this post and get some ideas on how to change my perspective to change how I’m looking at things.
Blessings!
Jennifer Chandler says
Stephanie, this post could not have come at a better time for me. Everywhere I turn there are posts about fear, about courage, about being true to what you’re created to do. Hmmm…seems like I’m being told something important. Time for me to take heed and follow.
Jen
Kristine McGuire says
I certainly have struggled with fear in my life. Fear of being judged. Fear of being lost or forgotten. Fear of being left behind. Hope comes, however, from knowing that “perfect love casts out all fear”…and that perfect love is God. Gotta love Max Lucado for bringing fear into the proper focus of being “Fearless” in Christ.
Kate says
I’m reading Fearless right now and I’m loving it. It speaks right to my fearful heart. I’ve struggled with this kind of thing….well goodness…as long as I can remember. Fear can be crippling. It keeps you from doing the big-awesome-risky things in life – but it also keeps you from doing everyday things, too. It’s crazy.
I love the picture on the cover – how the boy is jumping into the big blue waters with reckless abandon. I want that to be me.
Great post 🙂
Have a lovely day!
-Kate 🙂
sheryl says
our prison could be our “new normal”. ouch!!!
i am living in what i call my new normal, right now. however, i want to really LIVE. i am afraid that my family will never be restored. so often i don’t even pray for it. i am afraid that i will never be fully healed so i don’t make plans. thanks for your words today…they were needed and appreciated.
Laura says
Thank you. This is exactly what I needed to read today.
Abbie says
All so true. All so hard to put into practice when we (I) have so much practice just giving in to fear.
Perfect love casts out fear. (I can’t remember where that is and am typing while I feed the baby.) God’s perfect love for us, when we embrace it, casts our growing and crippling fear. Amen!
Carrie says
I can definitely relate!
I wrote a post about fears, faith, and peace
http://perfectinhim.blogspot.com/2009/10/thoughts-on-this-christian-walk.html
Candy says
“..fear is unwilling to share the heart with happiness.” Wow, that convicted me. I really need to read this book. Thank you for this!