Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Hopes vs. Fears




Do you ever struggle with fear?  

After a series of unfortunate events in recent
years, fear got it's ugly foothold in my life.

I mean it was stuck on me like glue!

I prayed and prayed, and as soon as I felt that
I was making some headway, fear would
walk up and body slam me again.

It affected every area of my life...maybe not
in major ways, but enough to cause me to feel that
I would never be able to move forward again
without...FEAR.

I heard a definition of fear one time...

F--False
     E--Evidence
       A--Appearing
                                          R--Real                                            


My friends, it couldn't be any more TRUE!!
Most things we fear are not true, or will never happen.
Even if they do...we will most likely live through it!!
(a little nugget from Nellie)

So I began to realize that I was helping fear run
my life, and began to
NOT FEED IT!!!

The Bible says to bring EVERY thought into
captivity to the obedience of Jesus Christ. {2 Corinthians 10:5}

And

 It also says that FEAR is NOT of God!!
2 Timothy 1:7

Do I hear an AMEN???!!!

So I got out my spiritual lasso and began to take down
those fears one by one!!!
Every time a fearful thought entered my mind I did a
wild and crazy thing....

I REJECTED IT!!

What a novel idea, huh?  Usually we just let them brew in
there for a little while, and before we know it we're a wreck!!

Needless to say before long, I was no longer governed by FEAR!!

I was starving those fears and feeding my faith and hopes with
the goodness and truth in God's Word.

Please indulge me as I share on last verse...
Romans 8:31

What then shall we say to these things?
If God is for us, who can be against us?

I have to be honest, sweet friends.
FEAR still comes knocking at my door... every once
in awhile or several times a day sometimes,
but FAITH answers and  FEAR  hits
the road!!  YEEHAW!!!!

Hope this helps you in any area fear might be plaguing you!
Simple truths, when simply applied yield HUGE benefits!!!

Have a wonderful week!!!

***FOOTNOTE***

While composing my last post my computer told me
Microsoft had to shut down no less than 5 times!!
On this post it happened once.
It never and I mean never,
happens when I blog about anything else!!!  Seriously!!
Try and tell me the devil isn't real!!!





36 comments:

  1. Oh he is real alright! I have to stomp his ugly head every day! Funny you should post on this today. That is almost exactly what our Sunday School lesson was about. We are doing a study called "In A Pit With A Lion On A Snowy Day!" Awesome book by Mark Batterson. I am now reading his second book, "Wild Goose Chase". Another awesome book by him.
    Say a prayer for me today. I am home again with the crud! Believin for my healing!
    Hugs,
    Tara

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  2. What timing! Becky, thank you for this post. God had you post it just for me! I woke up this morning just feeling so uneasy and yes, I guess fearful. I kept thinking and asking if anything is wrong, and couldn't come up with anything, but I still felt fearful. I just needed to be reminded to REJECT the devil and to TRUST and REST IN God! Thanks again. I think I'll just go and have myself a grand day now!!!!

    Love you,
    Liesa

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  3. Oh Becky can I ever relate to this post. I have suffered from anxiety and fear my whole life. Just when I think I FINALLY have that particular problem whipped, it comes knocking at my door, rearing it's very ugly head. But you have fought it all the ways I do which always work soo well. For me the verse in 2Cor is quite powerful and effective. A thought enters my mind which is negative or fearful and I quickly ask the Lord to capture it and toss it out. I also spend some part of my day dwelling and meditating on Phil 4:8....and let all that is good and holy and worthy sink deeply into my heart. It never fails to bring with it God's peace. I have learned to accept that I will probably battle this problem of mine until the Lord calls me home. But I don't stress on it anymore, because I know that in the meantime He has give me such effective tools in His Word. Have a wonderful day my sweet friend. Hugs, Debbie

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  4. Amen and Amen Beck. You are so right!! The enemy wants to make us fearful of everything so he stamps out any semblance of joy or happiness that we have. Like you say, we have to be determined not to let him steal our joy and peace!
    Claiming those verses is also what it talks about in Phillipians 4:8 "Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things!!"

    Thinking about God's word takes in all of these!! So it helps us set our minds.

    Also the verses before it have always been like
    a life verse for me. Phil 4:6&7, an still to this day help me take worry captive! I think most of the time, we waltz thru life unaware that their is a foe out there that really really hates us, and wants to wreak havoc on our lives, don't you?? The word says that satan prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone (believers are that someone) to devour.
    Great post My Sweet Friend, glad you are conquering those nasty fears! the enemy doesn't play fair, but greater is He who is in us, that he who is in the world!.
    Love ya Sweetie,
    Nellie

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  5. Oh my Sweet Becky........

    You DO hear an AMEN! Such good and timely advice.....and encouragement for this worrisome girlie. Fear needs to kick the bucket here, that's for sure.

    Nope, no doubt there's a satan........he loves to interfere, doesn't he..........kick him to the curb, right? :-)

    I hope you had a wonderful Easter Sweetest girlie.... I was having terrible blogging problems, but finally have things figured out......

    Have a fabulous week!

    Lovies and Huggies too..

    xoxoxox
    S

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  6. Such profound thoughts about fear. Thanks for sharing them, Becky. God bless you today!

    LaTeaDah

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  7. I'm right there with you Becky,so know what you mean and so glad His word is casting down all fear. Hugs to you today my dear friend.
    Love you lots and lots!!!!
    Nor

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  8. WOW! Awesome post about a needed discipline!
    Fear is bondage but Christ has set us free!
    Now I just have to harness my thoughts and set my focus on God's will revealed in His Word,to live in HIS Peace and Joy. =)
    Love the way you worded this supernatural advice.
    Amen, Amen, and Amen!
    Can you hear me down the street???
    Love you~

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  9. Seems fear has become a constant companion over here lately. But I do try my best to start quoting scripture and singing. That always works. I know my fears are real and I do need to give them to the Lord and just start concentrating on how many times the Lord has protected me and my family, especially my husband.

    Love all the beautiful pictures you posted!!! And "He Lives" is probably my favorite Easter hymn. Loved playing it on the piano for church Sunday morning. The words are so powerful!!!!

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  10. I believe it about the computer shutting down on you! Fighting the good fight is not easy!

    I've had periods in my life where fear has had me frozen in my tracks, right now I have a handle on it, but, yes, there are times it overrides everything, and this post is a wonderful reminder to trust in the One Who Guides all! Thank you!

    God Bless you!
    Love to you, Eileen

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  11. Hello Becky, your post probably touches many people who suffer from fear and worrying. My dh is a worrier and conjures up the most unlikely possible disasters. I have to help him see that his worries are unfounded. It is a fear when one worries like that. I read him parts of your post. He agreed that he needs to push away his worries and I believe this lovely post helped him. Thank you for sharing your inner self and your faith today.

    My cousin and her dh arrived today for a visit in the mountains. She is close to my age and we love being together. Her dad was my mom's brother.
    I have been busy cleaning and planning some fun.

    Love you bunches Becky,
    Jeanne

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  12. FALSE
    EVIDENCE
    APPEARING
    REAL

    Oh Becky, I sooo needed to read this.
    Get behind us satan IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

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  13. Amen! Oh, Dear Becky this is a wonderful post! I too have suffered with fear and let it get it's hold on me. I gave in for so many years and then I learned my faith in Jesus is bigger. I should have known that, but hey...I'm a learner. Slowly but surely fear was getting less and less.
    Sometimes he tries to creep in and like you, I have to go to the Rock and reject fear.
    Thank you for this wonderful post and I'm so thrilled to have met you in the Land of Blog!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  14. Hello Becky,

    Thank you for coming by and saying hello.

    Your post speaks to me. I have had to deal with this issue many times and have to remember to bind it. Yes, Satan definitely loves to interfere and wreak havoc.

    Thank you for your well said post and thank you for sharing your faith today.

    ~ Tracy

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  15. Powerful sharing dear friend. FEAR is something I am writing a lot about in my book because I lived that lifestyle and it created a great deal of pain in my life...I'm thankful for overcoming in CHRIST!

    Yes the enemy is real BUT JESUS IS REAL and has ALL power and so you are victorious and got this powerful message posted for us. I thank GOD.

    I love you and your heart in the LORD!!

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  16. Dear Becky, This post is a very powerful and true one. My husband always said that fear is a real faith killer. That saying has helped me many times. God bless you for sharing this truth today! Hugs, Elena

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  17. Oh my goodness........I was actually thinking about YOU tonite....I'm putsing around here...trying to get something accomplished and you kept popping into my little head......Must be 'cuz you're just the sweetest little THANG evah'!!!

    Yeah, I was sort of embarrassed to post my morning routine......(I'm the one in the middle)...... :-)


    Huge huggies and lotsa lovies,
    S

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  18. I have been exactly where you're coming from. One verse that I have said to myself repeatedly is "God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Fear is a very real thing and can wreak havoc before we even realize what has hit us.

    ♥Heidi

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  19. Thanks for pushing through with these words even if the enemy didn't want it to be said! Excellent post!

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  20. Oh yes I have been there. i am thankful God has helped with with this paralyzing fear. We all have our moments when it tries to steal our joy at times.

    Isaiah 41:10

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  21. I haven't dealt with fear much until the past year, when some health issues have caused me some worry. I needed this post too. Thankfully, we have a great and glorious Savior to take these worries to.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Blessings,
    Marcia

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  22. Becky I know this post touches home in the hearts and minds of many of us, at least some of the time. Fear and worrying really darkens our minds as we rehearse over and over again something that will probably not happen. Meanwhile, God promises to meet all of our needs at our time of need, not ahead of time when we're worrying about what might or could happen. We all need reminders and encouragement like this post to remember that our faith is stronger than any fear.

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  23. Hi Becky, thank you for stopping my my blog! I love your post about fear! It so true and I am going to write this one down! Have a wonderful weekend. My soul will be replenish and exhausted after my "little rascals" visit this weekend. My house will be full of visitors and my heart filled as well!

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  24. Becky,
    I'm so glad you stopped by my "little place on the web!" What a blessing this post was...I've written about fear a number of times...because I too lived it for a LONG time! FAITH wins every time!

    Help yourself to the graphics...They really are an outlet for me...a creative way to learn and meditate on the Scriptures...

    I'm HAPPY to share!

    peace to you!
    It's so nice to "meetcha!"
    lori

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  25. wow! This message hits home with most women I think, Becky. We fret and worry about so much and let fear creep in and set up a cozy spot. But you are right about filling up that spot with the Word and kicking fear to the curb!!

    Thanks so much for sharing your heart, Becky. You are a wonderful encourager!!:)

    Hugs,
    Linda

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  26. Loved this post! Oh I know fear...fear and me go way back. But, I am happy to say that it doesn't control me anymore.

    "You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself. "I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along."
    Elenore Roosevelt, You Learn By Living. 1960

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  27. Becky somehow I missed this when it first was published. The other day I was scrolling down my blogroll and discovered your message. Then I needed a couple of days to think about it...finally here I am.

    I think we all have fears, some worse than others. I can tend to be a worrier but this is what I have learned about worry and fear. I am not talking about clinical anxiety that may need medication but rather the plain, old, garden variety of fear.

    Fear is the opposite of faith. I think fear often originates from a feeling of not being in control. As an example I use to have a deadly fear of flying. It was bad. Before we went to Europe the first time I bought a bunch of books, learned all about aviation and aerodynamics, listened to relaxation tapes and I brought one specifically geared towards fearless flying with me on the trip. When I got on the plane and tried to listen to my tape the roar of the engine was so loud I couldn't even hear it. I struggled through that flight, praying constantly, not eating, not talking...just worried sick. For a while there I thought,wow, I have discovered the diet for me. 40,000 feet above the earth works well.

    Somehow during that flight and many others the Lord has taught me to let go and let God be my pilot. Once I let go of my need to be in charge and laid that burden at His feet, for real...I was cured. Now I quite enjoy flying and I consider that to be my own personal miracle since all our kids live so far away.

    One nugget I got from a fellow Christian was, "If you live or die...you live!" That made me realize it was my fear of crashing not flying that immobilized me with fear. Then I realized that it us not within my stewardship to worry about how or when I die...that is God's stewardship and I trust Him to know what He is doing. So that is why I believe that fear and faith are opposites. And when I feel that sense of fear coming up I consciously say to myself, God is at the helm. All is well. Now I don't worry about too much. It is very non-productive and doubt-filled.

    I didn't mean to write a novel but just wanted you to know you are not alone...everyone has fears and God is the answer every time for the plain old garden variety kind.

    I love you Becky, and I trust in your beautiful testimony of the Savior to rescue you from any fears in your life.

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  28. Wonderful post.

    You are a great encouragment to me :)

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  29. Hi Becky, You are so right about fear being the enemy of Faith. I struggle with my fears every day and have to work on building my Faith. Thank you for posting this message.

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  30. Thank you, Becky, for posting this. You are such an encouragement. I needed this today. ~Karen

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  31. Oh my Becky!!! Just when anxiety was getting a good grip on me - again!!! I have gone back and read this several times and mulled it over so much!! Thank you!! Fear and Anxiety have been on and off companions for many years now and I always appreciate knowing I'm not alone in my struggles and the Godly reminders that come my way to not let it get a foothold in my life!!! Blessings to you dear friend!! God is using you!!!

    Love,
    Christine

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  32. Hi Becky, you are in my prayers absolutely. I hope you will have a good report at the doctor. Things like this can really make us anxious. I pray that all will be good news.

    I hope your dream comes true and you find some time to visit me here in the mountains. The welcome mat is out. We would have some fun Becky. Work on that idea.

    My cousin leaves this Thursday. This time went by so quickly. We have had a great visit.

    Love and hugs to you dear Becky.
    Jeanne xoxoxo

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  33. Sweetest Becky....

    Missing you. Is all well?

    Huggies,
    Spencer

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  34. Praying for you as well. I have had an mri, but not for 75 minutes! Let me know if there's anything I can do...I'm here.

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  35. Thank you for your witness! You are amazing, and I know the Lord is proud of you for teaching this lesson so beautifully.

    Love you, girl...

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  36. Enjoyed...such truth. He has given us everything we need in His word and yet we willingly let the enemy steal it from us. This is a good post to read over and over again...telling fear to go take a hike and trust instead.
    Enjoying going through some of your old post....
    Janette

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Thank you so much for taking the time to share some JOY!
You're a blessing to me!