day 4 - fear

I don’t know if there will be a “day 4 – intimidation – part 2”. I suppose that if it keeps coming up, which it does, that there is something there that requires my attention. But tonight, my heart is rejoicing in His faithfulness in the lives of my friends, not only for them, but for the affirmation and encouragement that it brings to me.

He is faithful to answer. The same God that is answering and guiding them is going to answer and guide me, too. He is in control, and I can’t mess up His plan. That is reassurance beyond measure. My hang up, honestly, is that I don’t want to detour at all, ever again. That fear is what’s been crippling me, and it’s a faithless fear.

There – I said it. I’m afraid. I’m scared shitless. (Yes, I just cussed in a post about God – hey, what do you know? No lightening…) My fears run very deep and He’s slowing bringing them out into His light.

The Scripture for today is 1 Timothy 6:6-10, but I’m including through verse 21, because this is what He’s talking to me about tonight:

6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

20Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.

“so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.” There are many challenging and convicting truths in the verses above, but this one sums it up for me. Fear is not life. Fear is a crippling lie. No matter what the outcome of this current jaunt with the Lord, He is faithful, He is good, His will is His best for me, and what is best for me.

Lord, may it be so. I want to truly live in Your glorious presense, every minute of every day. I want to be overwhelmed by You constantly. I want to stay in step with Your Spirit and in tune with the sound of Your voice, singing songs of love and joy in my soul. MAY IT BE SO!