no matter the scriptures
no matter the songs
no matter the depth of jesus - love
sometimes i. am. scared.
heart-pounding-i-am-going-to-cry scared
and fear overwhelmed me recently
while i was washing dishes
other times he interrupts
my drive to work
a soccer game
a meal with the family
my sleep
it's a myriad of topics
death, pain, weight (yes, i will admit)
fear?
he is a creature of the dark
but i. am. not.
yesterday in church
this song reminded me
that i am a light-dweller
every secret, every shame
every fear, every pain
live inside the dark
but that's not who we are
we are children of the day
and it's in words
i find solace
song, scripture, husband's reassurance
does fear ever overwhelm you? what do you do in those times?
continuing to count his gifts to 1000-
529. the james words. 3:1-6.
530. learning to tame my tongue
531. memorizing scripture
532. vermicomposting (click here for my post entitled, i've had better ideas)
533. finley family parties
534. my dad's jokes - even the ones that don't make sense to me
535. a little bit of snow
536. snow birds to go with that snow!
537. food. i've read so much about north korea in the last week....so thankful we aren't starving
538. my mom's scan. no chemo for now.
539. my husband's quick wit - he makes me laugh daily
540. teenagers (my children, my girl) in bible study with the grown-ups
linking with
michelle for hear it monday, use it on sunday, ann for 1000 gifts, l.l. for on, in, and around mondays
jen for soli deo gloria and shanda for on your heart tuesdays
"I am a light-dweller."
ReplyDeleteOh, how I need to be reminded of that, too.
Going now to soak up the rays in the song you linked to.
Thanks for the encouragement, Kendal!
Yup, fear overwhelms me at times. To be totally honest, it did just this morning, as I sat on the couch thinking of what lay ahead this week (memorial service). I cried. That's usually my response. And then I got up and had coffee and some breakfast with Rowan and felt marginally better. That's the way it goes sometimes, doesn't it? So glad I read this today, Kendal. And so glad to hear about your mom's clear scan.
ReplyDeleteOh how I can relate! It is so easy to let fear come and take control of our thoughts, isn't it? Something that helps me is to remember where the fear came from: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." This may sound different, but I will pray out loud, "This fear is not from God and in the Name of Jesus I command you to leave." It helps me then to focus on the things of God.
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post. Thank you so much for sharing something that we all feel at times. Fear can be overwhelming. But the light overcomes!!!!
ReplyDeletethank you for your post today. It is a beautiful way of expressing the times when we fear. thank you, thank you.
ReplyDeleteLight-dwellers indeed! Perfect loves casts out all fear. So glad I stumbled upon your blog today!!! You're such an encouragement. :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Katie @simply[his]
Thanks for your honesty and grace. You are so loved, dear Kendal, and yes, I'm guessing we can all relate. I'm praying for you - that God will turn your fear into courage, pain into hope, and shame into freedom. He is able.
ReplyDeleteLove to you
~Cindy
"he is a creature of the dark," "we are children of the day." How easy it is to forget that when pain and darkness come calling. Thank you for a beautifully worded reminder.
ReplyDeleteyes. to overcome fear with light. love this
ReplyDeleteIt can be difficult to "fear not", but when we give our fears to Jesus, He is always faithful to strength, comfort and give courage! Blessings!
ReplyDeleteFear is my Achilles' Heel. Hunt it down in scripture (also faith and love, which neutralize fear). I'm just finishing a book that's helped me so much. It's called Psalm 91. The author's last name is Ruth. She talks about Psalm 91 as being a covenant b/w God and us, and she recommends claiming its promises regularly and aloud.
ReplyDeletecrazy how stealthily that anxiety and fear can creep in and overtake without our even realizing he was stalking us. But, yes, we are light-dwellers. Amen!
ReplyDeleteThe mind is a battle ground, isn't it?! And the devil sure plays dirty! I agree - the word, it's light, drives it away! Beautiful poetry; powerful message!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully expressed thoughts and feelings here.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've experienced big fear. The last big incident was fear of facing something I had to do. I trembled nearly all day! And prayed and prayed, telling God I couldn't, I didn't want to! At last I surrendered. And that, and having others praying strength for me to face the moment, the panic broke, and at the time God gave me astounding calm.
What a God! Sometimes the struggle's huge, but God is huger!
Beautifully expressed thoughts and feelings here.
ReplyDeleteYes, I've experienced big fear. The last big incident was fear of facing something I had to do. I trembled nearly all day! And prayed and prayed, telling God I couldn't, I didn't want to! At last I surrendered. And that, and having others praying strength for me to face the moment, the panic broke, and at the time God gave me astounding calm.
What a God! Sometimes the struggle's huge, but God is huger!
Love the reminder that we are light dwellers.
ReplyDeleteFondly,
Glenda
YES!!!!!!!!! Praise Him for all of His promises to 'not fear'...He knows our hearts. And I love that song!
ReplyDeleteBless you dear one.
ReplyDeleteI also wrote on fear for today! It seems there has been a common theme as I read: fear of many types of things. Yet, he knows our every fear and takes each seriously. How comforting!
ReplyDeleteSometimes I do let fear steal the joy of life and I need to remember this too, Kendal. Praying for you, friend.
ReplyDeleteI say over and over and over, "Jesus, I trust in you. Jesus, I trust in you."
ReplyDeleteI breathe. A lot. And I pray in tongues. I'm just sayin'....sometimes there aren't words to get me through it, so that's the only place I can go. I pray, of course, through all of it. I have my husband hold me until I calm down. And sometimes I fight. Intercessory fighting, I mean, kick-em-in-the-pants kind of prayer. What can I say? Must be the red hair. ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you for your beautiful post! I love the way you write. Sometimes it is a daily struggle to fight against fears. Thank you for reminding us to turn towards the light.
ReplyDeleteYes the devil wants to keep us in the dark, imprisoned by fear, paralyzed into not moving forward. We just have to remember we are "light-dwellers" as you said, people of the light, free. We just have to claim His promises! I remember what i read this morning about a black man, a slave probably, and he was asked, "Daniel, why is it you have so much peace and joy in religion?" "O Massa!" he replied, "I just fall flat on the exceeding great and precious promises, and I have all that is in them. Glory! Glory!" When we fear, we too can claim those promises and be free! Patsy from
ReplyDeleteHeARTworks