I need to be real.

I need to be honest.

These panic attacks that the enemy has placed in my path in the last month are just. not. fun.

But, they are real.

Now that they have subsided…I can see more clearly how evil they really are.

I am now able to fight with different tools.

I have been blessed to have learned some deep teachings on spiritual warfare that I wouldn’t trade for the world during these days. God knew that I would need those teachings. He prepared me before hand.

I have not shied away from putting what I have learned into practice rather boldly in recent years, but especially in recent days.

I don’t have anything to lose. My God tells me that I have all the authority to tell Satan to go back to Hell where he belongs with…just one word…JESUS!

I’ve been doing that A LOT!

Like OUT LOUD and with lots of BOLDNESS!

This is coming from a girl who once shook in her shoes if the thunder rolled loud in the night. I have dealt with so much insecurity but that is not what God had planned for my life. He continues daily to tell me I was made for more than cowering and living in fear.

There is a bigger plan and my God has allowed these days with Cancer…pancreatitis…infertility…insecurity and more so that He can do something big in me…in us…For His Glory! It’s all about what He does…not how we feel.

I have spoken with a handful of friends in the last couple of days That are going through some pretty tough roads as well. When they share with me their stories, I have had thoughts of something quietly in my head…

“I am glad that I am not facing their problems.”

I know that we all have those secret thoughts. Sometimes, when we see the trials in other people’s lives, we think ours look manageable. We are all walking different roads.

But when you are in the middle of your own and you feel like you are drowning and the end is not in sight…

FEAR CREEPS IN!

Fear is the enemy’s biggest tool in his tool box. He plays it all the time. We should know what it looks like by now.

But sometimes it comes disguised. Unannounced and certainly uninvited.

Today, God is speaking loud to me on this topic…maybe to me…but maybe someone else.

Charles Stanley says,
“Fear obviously produces anxiety, but it also creates chaos in our lives and even affects those around us. Fear hinders us from becoming the people God wants us to be. When we are dominated by negative emotions, we cannot achieve the goals He has in mind for us. A lack of self-confidence stymies our belief in what the Lord can do with our lives.
Fear steals peace and contentment. When we’re always afraid, our life becomes centered on pessimism and gloom.
Fear creates doubt. God promises us an abundant life, but if we surrender instead to the chains of fear, our prayers won’t be worth very much.
What are you afraid of–loss, rejection, poverty, or death? Everybody will face such realities at some point. All you need to know is, God will never reject you. Whether you accept Him is your decision.”

Ann Voscamp shared this over at InCourage:

10 Things to Know about Fear:

1. Don’t fear failing. Fear not obeying.

2. Fear is a fraud.

Nowhere on earth is beyond the reach of God.

3. All fear is but the notion that God’s love ends.

4. Your fears don’t decide your fate — your fears destroy your faith.

5. We must do that which we know we cannot — to prove that it’s our God who cannot fail.
Our God appoints those who will disappoint — to point to a God who never disappoints.

5. Everything your Father has for you — is over the fence of fear.

6. Travel in the direction of your fears — to let God direct your life.

7. Fear doesn’t stop the really bad things as much as it stops you from really living.

8. It’s impossible to simultaneously feel fear — and give thanks.

9. Fear is always the flee ahead. God is I AM and His presence fills the present moment.

Just. Rest. in. Him. in. This. Moment.

10. Do not feed the ducks, or the bears, or the fears. Feed your soul — on the Word that is the Bread of Life.

So today, I am walking away from fear. I am holding on to Jesus and His Promises. That does not mean that fear will not knock on my door again. But when it does…I have several spiritual tools in my tool box that Jesus has equipped me with.

This is a song that my girls showed to me. Kinda crazy how God uses my girls to teach me boldness. I immediately loved it! Hope it speaks to you of how God calls us to trust Him and how He wants our life to count for Him. I can so relate to this song! Turn it up loud this Friday and be encouraged!

Keep those prayers coming for Kevin. He is tolerating this last round of treatment well this time. Continued prayers of protection and strength. We will finish up and be out of the hospital on Saturday morning and rest over the weekend. Have our once a week treatment on Monday and then head back to Valdosta on Tuesday for 4-6 weeks. YEAH!!!

Have a great weekend and don’t fall for the tools of the enemy! Remember don’t forget the tools that Jesus has given us! His Word, Prayer and the Body of Christ!

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