F.E.A.R. vs. Truth

False - not real or genuine; based on mistaken ideas
Evidence - something which shows that something else exists or is true
Appearing - to be or come in sight
Real - actually existing or happening

Circumstances. On a dime, they can change without warning.  Anything from sudden illness, death, job loss, broken marriage, wayward teen, serious car accident, house fire, you name it the circumstances of our lives are ever changing.  Yet, so many of us live life fooling ourselves into thinking we are in control of our circumstances.  Or, at the very least, we do everything we can to control them.  But then the unexpected happens and are we prepared?  As believers in Jesus Christ we should always be prepared for battle.  The enemy of our soul is at war with us - full time.  He is a dirty and vicious fighter.  He doesn't follow the rules of engagement.  He goes for the gut.  He's not fair.  He's sneaky.  But he's defeated in the end.

As a Christ follower we should put on the whole armor of God daily being bathed in His word.  Then, when we are tempted or dismayed, we can recall the truths to mind and combat the fear and worry and confusion and dread.  In between the battles of the war that is waged against us, we must rehearse and prepare by studying scripture and knowing of His great love.  Write it down and post it around your home, your car, you work place.  Our response in the crisis will be HIS response and one that is feelings based and more reactionary.  This takes time and diligence.  I can be honest with you and tell you that I've not always done this, but when I have, and the crisis hits, I am ready.

Similar to the ocean's waves that seem to come one right after the other, when we see the one coming we can prepare properly.  With feet firmly planted, we take a deep breath and prepare for the wave to crash over us.  But if we are not prepared for the next wave and let our guard down, we will get tossed around the ocean tempted by fear and panic. Remember, the wave will pass.  Do not panic.  Trust Him to see you through no matter what is on the other side.

A life of running hard after Christ is no different than the ocean scenario.  There are times that we are so acutely aware of our ever changing circumstances, that we fall on our knees daily calling out to Him, reciting His Word back to Him.  Then the peace that passes all understanding, guards our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

The above acronym states what fear is - False Evidence Appearing Real.  It's bogus.  It's from our perspective.  It's our insufficient knowledge and belief in who God is and what He can do.  "What you believe about God is the most important thing about you." A.W. Tozer  My friend says this "What you think about God, what you dwell on, what drives your actions, reveals what you actually believe about God."

I have been struggling with fear again in my life.  Worry and fret which eventually result in fear.  Fearing what lies ahead.  Fearing how we will pay our bills.  Fearing that we will never have another ministry again.  Fearing change. Fearing a loss of something significant again.  This fear has me up at night in the wee hours of the morning.  As soon as my eyes pop open, BAM! Fear sets in.  I get up and get out my bible.  I read until I'm sleepily saturated with HIS truth.

TRUTH - What He tells us in His Word, His love letter filled with promises to us.  Reading the scriptures and finding healing balm for our wounds and hurts, is the best way to combat fear.  Fear does not come from Him.  For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7

Here's some of the truths from His Word that I feast upon regularly.

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Trust in the LORD forever, for in Yah, the LORD, is everlasting strength.  ~Isaiah 26:3-4

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name (Lisa); you are Mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.  ~Isaiah 43:1-3

Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon the earth that I desire besides You.  My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  ~Psalm 73:25-26

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.  ~1 Peter 5:7

So we may boldly say:

"The LORD is my helper; I will not fear.  What can man do to me?"

~Hebrews 13:5

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

~Philippians 4:19

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

~Romans 8:28

"We don't know what the future may hold.  But instead of wrestling with worry, we can hold onto truth today.  And, that changes everything."  ~Holly Gerth

The photo of the tin with the stones is something that I've kept over the years.  In the Old Testament, when Joshua and the people had come up from the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they camped in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho, Joshua set up those twelve stones which they took from the Jordan.  He told them to tell the story of how God dried up the Jordan waters until they had crossed over.  It was a testament to God's mightiness.  

I love that story found in Joshua 4:19-24 so I came up with a memorial idea for our family.  Each stone represents something that God did tangibly in our lives which demonstrated His faithfulness to us.  Since financial struggle seems to be a reoccurring challenge for us, most of the stones represent His perfect timing in provision.  But some of the stones are new opportunities that He provided.  Friendships that have been an incredible blessings.  A new house, a new job, a new school, etc.  Honestly, if I were keeping track more accurately, we'd overflow our bathtub with memorial stones.

I have so much history with God.  He is good.  He is faithful.  He is loving.  He is just. He is forgiving and merciful.  He is patient and kind.  He is my Savior.  I'm so thankful to live my life for Him while being sanctified through life's trials and hard times.  I pray with each trial and difficulty that I would take on more of His likeness as I put on His attributes.  I want to glorify Him in the process.  Honestly, the process is what matters to Him, really.  Not the outcome of our bills, mortgage, car troubles, financial strain.  It's HOW we do it.  Do we wring our hands, and fret and worry or do we give it to Him and trust Him to work it out for our good according to His purpose.  Do we believe and trust that He is allowing it for our good, to teach us more about Him.  To become more dependent on Him for everything.  How am I growing eternally?  What are people learning from me as I walk through the fires of life?  Am I a living testimony to the goodness of God?  Are my boys learning to depend on Him or am I leading them into the temptation of fear and doubt?

In obedience, I chose to trust Him.  In obedience, I follow Him.  Whether or not, I "feel" like pursuing Him, I must do it as it's the only way to freedom and peace. My feelings eventually catch up and the peace flows like a river through my veins.  But I must first actively pursue Him, desiring to know Him more and allow His truth to penetrate my every fiber.

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus' name.

On Christ the solid Rock, I stand; 

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face, I rest upon His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.

(Chorus)

His oath, His covenant, His blood, Support me in the whelming flood; 

When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.

(Chorus)

When He shall come with trumpet sound, Oh, may I then in Him be found;

Dressed in His righteousness alone, Faultless to stand before the throne.

On Christ the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

Blessings.  I pray this encourages someone along the way.