Lately fear has been rearing it’s ugly head at me. Maybe it’s because I have been tired. Maybe it’s because work has been a bit stressful. Whatever the cause it has decided to come at me with a vengeance. My brain has been in overdrive with fear. Let’s take a small glance into Michelle’s fears lately shall we?!
I have had a fear of forgetting to turn off the burners on the stove and burning the house down. This has caused me to check the burners two or three times before I leave the house just to be sure. I have had a fear of something happening to members of my family (I know I don’t have any control over this yet I am fearful). I have had a fear of not meeting deadlines and getting fired (seriously I have a great boss and I am generally on top of things). I have had a fear of my indoor cat escaping outside and us never being able to find him (mind you in the 8 years we have had him I think he has only tried to escape twice). I have a fear of missing out on things I want to do and adventures I want to go on, yet I find myself sidelined because some of these things scare me! Can any of you relate?
Ok so let’s get real here……I can not control any of these things! Being fearful only robs me of joy and happiness! I was talking to my husband about this the other night. I was talking about my dreams for this wellness/fitness ministry and how I get scared so I slam on the breaks. As we talked he said something that stuck with me. He said as we get older we think things through more, analize things, figure out the consequences and decide not to take the leap, even if it’s what we are called to do. We hold back in fear.
I think this is so true. While I am much wiser and have looked back on some of the stupid things I did when I was younger, I also did some amazing things because I didn’t allow fear to grip me. My children remind me all the time of how not to let fear stop them. My daughter who went through lifeguard training and even though it was tough dug in and is now a certified lifeguard. My son who tried different events in track and field day just because he wanted to “challenge himself” and goodness he did. He kept working at high jump until he cleared the bar (he is only 5 foot tall).
Today Exodus 14:14 kept coming up in several things I saw and read. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. I think we often forget this. I know I do. When fear creeps in we need to remember that God has got this, that he is fighting for us we just need to be still in trust in him.
So today I ask you what is holding you back from running your race? What fear do you need to let go of and lay down at the feet of Jesus? This isn’t any easy thing but something that will give us so much freedom in the long run.
Today I lay down my fears! I am letting them go and trusting in God to care for us. I am going to run the race he has set before me. This isn’t going to be easy but it will be so worth it. Today I am going to let go of the fears and as Carrie Wisehardt would say “Choose Joy”!
I’m praying for you! Hugs and Love,
Michelle