"Do Not Be Afraid"

Reading the Christmas story in the books of Matthew and Luke, the command "do not be afraid" stirred something in me.

"Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard..." 

"Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God."

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife..."

"Fear not (shepherds), for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people." 

Did you know that the command to "not fear" is supposedly found 366 times in the Bible? God knew we would need His assurance daily!

If you've followed my blog at all, you may have picked up on a subtle theme.  I didn't realize it till recently, but it just jumped right out at me and spoke to my deepest fear.

My fear of being alone.

God has seen me through seasons of incredible loneliness in my life.  I've experienced the hurt of rejection, the loneliness that came with moving several times throughout my childhood, and the pain of emotional isolation as I had learned over the years that it wasn't safe sharing my heart with others.

God has done the sweetest work in my heart since Jesus drew me into a  life-giving relationship with Him three years ago.  He has broken chains, torn down walls, and taught me to trust in Him completely.  He has been my strength and given me a courageous voice to speak Truth in love.  Seriously.  I serve a Lord who is in the Radical Transforming business.

Yet, I'm still human, with doubts and fears, in the constant molding of His Hands.

My God Calling devotional for two days last week was also about fear...

Never let yourselves fear anybody or anything.  No fear of My failing you. No fear that your faith will fail you.  No fear of poverty or loneliness.  No fear of not knowing the way.  No fear of others. No fear of their misunderstanding. 

But, My children, this absolute casting out of fear is the result of a Perfect Love, a perfect Love of Me and My Father.  Speak to me about everything. Listen to me at all times.  Feel My tender nearness, substituting at once some thought of me for the fear.  

The powers of evil watch you as a besieging force would watch a guarded city- the object being always to find some weak spot, attack that, and so gain an entrance. So evil lurks around you, and seeks to surprise you in some fear.  

The fear may have been but a small one, but it affords evil a weak spot of attack and entrance, and then in come rushing despondency, doubt of me, and so many other sins.  Pray, My beloved children, for that Perfect Love of Me that indeed casts out all fear.

I knew God was speaking to my heart... could He be any more direct?  I began praying that God wipe away my fears of loneliness and meet me in my needs as my Father, my Brother, my Friend, my Teacher, my Husband, my Strength, my Counselor, my Shield, my Shepherd, and my Stronghold as I step out in faith.

You know what God did? He comforted me and filled me with a freeing peace about next year.  I know I will experience emotions of loneliness in being separated from friends and loved ones, but God will be with me wherever I go (Joshua 1:9).   All I need is Him!

And yet more answer to prayer?  I met a young woman for lunch last week who will be living within walking distance from where I'll be in the D.R. We shared how God called us, what the Lord is stirring in our hearts, our excitement for next year, and our longings for the future.  Before parting ways we got to pray for one another.  I AM SO BLESSED! God TOTALLY heard my prayers for community in the D.R.!

So, in confessing my fears, what are you afraid of? What is holding you back? What lies have you believed?

Is there a conversation God is asking you to have? A decision He is asking you to make? A Truth He is asking you to believe?

Can you imagine what our lives could be like if we didn't let our fears control us?  Surrender everything to the Lord, including your fears, and you wont regret it.

"I sought the Lord and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears" Psalm 34:4