Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1: 9
Are you ready to stop the fear once and for all?
Imagine this. You have an important choice to make, and are worried about making the wrong decision. Maybe it’s your family, your health, your job, or finances. The immediate problem, though, is your mind. It keeps going and going, round and round, and you envision the worse case scenarios. Your head is spinning as if you were riding the “Tilt-A- Whirl" at a theme park, and you just want it to slow down, so you can get off.
Not a minute too soon your feet hit the ground running, and you stagger off to catch your breath. You feel dizzy from the chaos in your mind. No matter how hard you try, you know you can no longer do life alone. You need to figure things out, and fast.
Breaking through the maze of people, you turn a corner, and are greeted with the biggest smile you ever saw. You can’t hold it in any longer. Seeing his arms outstretched toward you, you melt into his warm embrace.
Through your tears, you release all that pent up emotion. Your sobbing just won’t stop. You feel a mess, but know that you can tell him anything.
Confiding, and trusting in the One who has been with you all along, you blurt out your burdens, and are met with Jesus’ radical grace, acceptance, and love.
With a deep sense of gratitude and relief, you realize you are safe. You are home. You’re in the arms of Jesus.
Your tensions begin to fade. You notice your neck, and shoulders have relaxed, and that your breathing has returned to normal.
Your fears, doubt, shame, and confusion have almost vanished.
Sitting together on an oversized rock, you lift your head to listen, and realize in that moment that, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still” (Exodus 14: 14).
You discover that “being still” is never about running away. It’s about choosing faith over fear. Every. Single. Time. It’s about seeking the Holy Spirit deep within your soul. It’s about coming to a complete stop, staying the course, and letting God lead the way.
You hang on to every piece of Wisdom, and ask Jesus what you should know and do. With greater clarity you now believe it’s going to be okay.
A sense of peace washes over you. You know that nothing can compare to the goodness, mercy, and love when you invite Jesus into your heart.
Promising Jesus that you will continue this conversation later, you rise- renewed through the power of his presence. You are calmer, and stronger now. Jesus’ spoken Word has, and always will encourage, and equip you for your journey.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29: 11-13).
Jesus reminds you, that when your thoughts begin to spin in different directions to, “Look to him and his strength; seek his face always” (1 Chronicles 16: 11).
In the days ahead may you remember that being in his presence is all God wants of you, and that it is “his Presence that will go with you and give you rest” (Exodus 33: 14).
Until next time…
May the Spirit of God lead you, the Word of God sustain you, and the promises of God grant you the gift of everlasting peace.
Love and blessings...
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Author of Nourish Your Soul: 7 Secrets for Women Seeking Peace
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