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Fear Not!
2 Timothy 1:7: For God did NOT give us a SPIRIT OF FEAR, but a spirit of POWER, of LOVE, and of a SOUND MIND.
This writing is dedicated to my oldest daughter, Kendall.
I had a conversation with Kendall one day. We have a swing set in our backyard that I purchased for my girls last year. When I first bought it, they were so excited, and played on it everyday. Unfortunately, over time, this play dwindled as Kendall became fearful of our neighbors’ dogs; no longer wanting to go outside.
On that day, it was beautiful outside, so I wanted the girls to go outside and play so that I could focus on what I needed to do around the house. Kendall refused to go because of her FEAR. I then heard myself telling her NOT TO BE AFRAID and that BECAUSE OF HER FEAR, SHE WAS MISSING OUT ON ENJOYING SOMETHING THAT I HAD PURCHASED FOR HER AND HER SISTER. She was also missing out on doing something that she really WANTED, and LOVED, to do.
As soon as I uttered these words, I thought that that’s how God must feel about US when WE ARE FEARFUL of something that He may have shown us or wants to give us that He knows will give us joy; if we would only GET PAST OUR FEAR.
I don’t know about you, but I DON’T WANT TO LET FEAR KEEP ME FROM RECEIVING ANYTHING THAT GOD HAS FOR ME. We know that GOD IS GOOD, and that ALL GOOD AND PERFECT GIFTS COME FROM HIM (James 1:7). We know His ULTIMATE PLAN is to give us a HOPE AND A FUTURE (Jeremiah 29:11). We know that He wants us to be in GOOD HEALTH and to PROSPER US, EVEN AS OUR SOUL PROSPERS (3 John 2). Well, I WANT WHAT HE WANTS, so if that takes STEPPING OUT AND CONQUERING MY FEAR, THEN I MUST! How about YOU? I pray that you want the same.
As an end to this message, I must tell you that Kendall DID go outside (even if only for a few minutes, as it soon started to rain)…but SHE DID DO IT. Just like WE must do with OUR fears…just taking SMALL STEPS, OVER TIME, until we realize that we have FINALLY MASTERED THE THING THAT SOUGHT TO MASTER US.
May we FOLLOW KENDALL’S EXAMPLE and heed the words of our Father to FEAR NOT. I do NOT believe this means not to FEEL THE EMOTION OF FEAR, but rather to NOT ALLOW THAT EMOTION TO KEEP US FROM DOING WHAT OUR FATHER WANTS US TO DO.
Let us CONQUER OUR FEARS, MOVE FORWARD, and FEAR NOT!
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Janine Scott-Lowe, MD is a Family Physician who practices in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, taking care of the soldiers and family members of the famous 82nd Airborne Division. She has two beautiful daughters, Kendall and Katrina.
You can find more articles and information about Janine's books on her website:
http://www.hishandsextendedonline.com.
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