Fear chases relentlessly

but faith runs faster.

Fear taunts and teases

especially in the dark

but faith sings songs of deliverance

and speaks God’s promises

before it sees the answer.

From as far back as I can remember I have known fear.

Waves of stomach churning fear

and paralyzing anxiety.

It was so easy to look at my own weaknesses and limitations

confident that whatever it was

whatever the situation

I couldn’t do it.

Please Lord,

give me a great faith

I’d silently pray.

Years went by with small gains.

Until I came to know more deeply the One Who understood all of my fears

and He whispered, “Do it afraid.”

What a strange idea.

I had never thought that way before.

No, I thought being afraid

meant to avoid whatever the thing was the I was afraid of.

Wrong.

That only served to strengthen the fears.

Do it afraid.

Slowly I began to tiptoe out of the safe

into the scary

and risk defeat.

“Fear arises when we imagine that everything depends on us.” E. Elliot

I knew that I wasn’t smart enough or talented enough

but I began to realize that I didn’t have to be.

No, I was looking at life without Him.

Truth says that I plus Christ can do anything He calls me to do.

Anything.

That was the secret.

That is the secret.

That always will be the secret.

Not in our own strength or ability.

He will give us victory right where we are

as we depend upon Him.

~ “Sometimes when we are called to obey, the fear does not subside and we are expected to move against the fear. One must choose to do it afraid. E. Elliot

So what do you fear today?

Yes, what is holding you in tight ropes of bondage?

If you knew you’d be successful, what would you do?

Words of truth come to mind as I click out this marvelous message of hope for all.

“The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.” E. Elliot

He is able.

He is more than able to enable you to do just that

as you lean upon Him.

Let’s not settle for a small, safe existence

when He wants to give us an abundant life.

Let’s not narrow our choices by what we can do without Him

Instead let’s open our minds and hearts to His still Voice.

Meditation

particularly with a focus on His promises and power

draws our attention away from ourselves unto Him and His ability.

Do it afraid.

Yes, those butterflies might still come when

facing a challenge that stretches you beyond yourself

But do it anyway.

Keep moving forward

knowing that fear will flee

yes, actually slink away into hiding – powerless-

when you determine to walk by faith no matter what the feelings.

Do it afraid, my friends,

and don’t stop moving forward.

He is more than able to give you VICTORY.

 

“If you believe in a God who controls the big things, you have to believe in a God who controls the little things.” E. Elliot