We all have our fears in life, but rarely do we face them. As Jack Canfield once said though, “Everything you want lays on the other side of fear.” Some of us want deep friendships, but are afraid to open up and be honest about ourselves to the women around us. Some of us want business success, but are too afraid to put our creativity out in the world. Some of us want healing, but refuse to admit our hurts even to our closest friends and family.
Our guest author, Emily Barrus, speaks to us about the outcome of facing her deepest, darkest fears below:
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Fear. What do you think of when you hear the word “fear”?
I don’t know about you, but about a million red flags pop up in my brain. I can feel my body tense preparing for the unnecessary stress that I’m about to weigh myself down with.
Have you ever talked about fear with your nearest and dearest? Usually, it seems that the talk of fear starts off as a joke.
“I’m scared of spiders”.
This obviously isn’t a joke for someone who’s actually scared of spiders, but usually the conversation shifts.
It shifts from earthly, visible fears to our deep, inward fears we may be scared to talk about (let alone think about).
Six years ago, when I moved to a new state where I knew no one, I was paralyzed by fear. Will these Southerners understand my Northern ways? Will I actually find best friends that will know me like no one else?
Fear consumed me: I knew that I was in God’s will by making the move, but all of a sudden I had felt abandoned by God.
During those first few months, I was trying to do my best to stay afloat…
But where was God while I was trying to stay afloat? He was right beside me. He had never left. My fear of a new place and a new life had completely taken over my life, so much so, that I had pushed God away.
I remember sitting on my bed, staring at the off white walls, and praying to God. I imagined my prayers hitting the ceiling and falling back down. I questioned if God was still there. Could He still hear me? Did He even care that I was all alone?
Yes, Jesus cares.
I was so consumed with my own pity party of loneliness that I forgot how important it is to lean in close to God (especially during difficult times).
Let’s fast forward to this year… the year where it seems like anything can happen.
Who knew what we were in for while we celebrated on New Year’s Eve? God did.
God knew exactly what’s going to happen this year, He knows what’s going to happen today, tomorrow, the rest of this year, etc.
While I was home for Christmas, I finally stirred up the courage to tell my parents what my uncle had done to me for several years when I was a little girl.
For years, Satan had whispered lies to me: he whispered that what happened to me was my fault and that no one would love me because of it.
Satan was such a good liar that I believed him. I believed that, even though I was a little girl, it was my fault. Up until about a year ago, I believed these lies.
I had told some close friends, but still wasn’t comfortable with telling my parents or anyone else…
But God gave me the courage to share what happened with a friend that counsels. I never received any counseling before so I wasn’t sure what I was in for.
My friend had me close my eyes and ask God to show me something about what happened.
God showed me that it had never been my fault. Immediately, the biggest burden of my life had been lifted.
My only regret was that I believed the lies for so long: I wished I had the bravery to speak up sooner so justice could be dealt.
During the beginning of this year, I wrote a blog post about my #MeToo experience and I even shared it publicly on Facebook for everyone to see. While the support and encouragement was overwhelming, Satan was still trying to work.
Fear started to creep in. I considered whether I should delete the post or notas Satan spewed lies that most people wouldn’t believe me.
Other people’s opinions can hold us in bondage. We can judge everything we say and do by what our friends say or do, but I wasn’t going to let Satan’s lies destroy my life any longer. I wasn’t giving in to the fear that raptured my body and soul for so long.
Sharing my deepest, darkest secret with the world changed my life because I wasn’t living in fear of Satan or what other people would think: I, instead, simply let God work.
I closed myself off for so long and I hadn’t let many people into my life. I had always wondered why it took a while for me to make friends. I was letting Satan’s lies and my fear of everything surrounding my deepest secret hold me captive.
Now, I can happily say that I’m free from that bondage.
Yes, Satan still likes to whisper lies. As long as we are here on this earth, Satan will try to destroy us.
The question I pose is this: will we let Satan’s attempts of destruction fear us into sitting and staying stagnant? Or will we choose to rise above the lies and let God do some amazing things?
Psalm 23:1-4
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
What about you? What are you going through? What are fearing right now?
During my quarantine, an amazing job opportunity came that would have brought me out of state again. I was so excited and I thought for sure that this is God’s will.
Everything seemed right about it until the interview came. When I found out a particular detail about the job, I knew it wasn’t right with my beliefs. I sadly declined the job.
My mom reminded me that it most likely was a test from God to see if I was willing to move to yet another state.
Am I willing to get up and move to a place where I know no one? Yes. Why? God.
I have nothing to fear knowing that God is always right beside me.
Did you know that the phrase “do not fear” appears in the Bible 365 times?
God gave us a reminder for every single day of the year to not fear.
Isaiah 41:13
“For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”
So, I ask again what are you fearful of? I don’t mean just spiders, but what are you truly fearful of?
I urge you to run to God and ask Him to show you truth regarding what you are fearing right now.
Let Him work in His time. I’ve had to learn, and I’m still learning, that it’s all in God’s perfect time.
He will help you. Don’t give in to fear.
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The Bible, as Emily tells us, commands us to not be afraid 365 times. But every time the Bible tells us to not be afraid, God also gives us the reason we should not be afraid. For example, read Deuteronomy 7:18, ” Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the Lord thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt.” We’re commanded to not be afraid because we’re to remember what God did for us in the past.
If you’re struggling with fear or just need a reminder during a tough struggle you face soon, go back through the times God commands us to “Fear not” or “Be not afraid” and look for the reasons why we don’t have to fear.
Our guest post today comes from my Insta-friend, Emily. If you’re not following her yet on Instagram, you should! You can find her and uplifting, biblical truth at @emily.annb or at her blog, lemonade-co.com.
If you have been the victim of a sexual assault or molestation, please know that there are resources available to you for help. 1 in 3 women will be sexually molested or assaulted by the time they turn 21. You are not alone.
Please see these:
National Sexual Assault Help Line: 800.656.HOPE
A Free Download by a Biblical Counselor for Victims:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ehn-GEng7ML54fKtGofmeiOf8RWczyRx/view
Link to locating a Biblical counselor in your area:
practicallivingforthechristiangirl.com 