Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Have You Ever Been Fearful?


The train hums as it gently wraps itself around the corner of the Naples train station. My unhurried husband and I fling our backpacks over our shoulders and proceed to the nearest exit. I clink and clank my two wheel carry-on-bag through the exit door. I lay my bulky luggage and oversized polka dotted purse along the concrete’s edge. I quarter turn back towards the train. A crisp beeping sound blares from overhead signaling the doors are about to shut.

Suddenly, my stomach flips in fear.

The doors are shutting, only I’m on the outside and my husband is still on the train. Seconds pass before I’m able to shake flusters of shock off my face. Desperation suddenly jerks my limbs into action. My trembling fingers try to pry the doors apart.

It’s too late.

Nothing works.

He’s gone.

I’m left standing alone in an unfamiliar place while onlookers shake their heads in disbelief.

In this moment God’s presence stirs with a purpose. Without spoken words, a phrase bounces off the framework of my heart…

“Push past your fear because God is near.”

God is near. Not just at home. Not just during quiet times. Not just on mission trips...But always.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline,” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Even though God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, we all know what its sting feels like. So how do we become women who say “no” to fear and “yes” to God?

First, I think we must become women who exhibit God-confidence as opposed to self-confidence. God’s intention was never to make God girls “self-confident.” He created us to be confident in Him alone.

Secondly, we must become women who push beyond themselves so they can embrace what God has for them.

Women who don’t live their lives saturated in fear but soaked in Truth;

Women who rejoice in God’s intentional invasion of their comfort zones; and

Women who are able to shift focus away from fear and onto to God.

Oh, just think how different our lives would be if we didn’t let fear make us shy away from God’s plan. It breaks my heart thinking of all the times I blew it…all the opportunities I didn’t take. But just because I wasn’t a woman who said “yes” to God yesterday, doesn’t mean I can’t be a woman who says “yes” today.

That day on a sizzling train platform, I wiped the sweat from my eyes and decided to allow God’s Word to actually sink in. Instead of simply reciting the verse, I tried applying it for a change.

In that moment, I felt 2 Timothy 1:7 strengthen me in a new way. I tapped into God’s power and you know what happened? I became a woman with a Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline…Just the way God designed me to be.

Is fear holding you back today?

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10 comments:

  1. Great post. I rarely am gripped by fear. But when I am, it take over every thought and muscle of my body. Yes, we need to stay soaked in the truth.

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  2. Kelli, this post is so good! I love this - "Women who rejoice in God’s intentional invasion of their comfort zones; and Women who are able to shift focus away from fear and onto to God." God had definitely been invading my comfort zone, but I'm learning to trust Him more everyday. I blew it too, but thank God His mercies are new every morning. Many blessings!

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  3. You left me hanging. Did you catch up to your husband? Great blog btw.

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  4. I believe we all are fearful at times and it's because of the unknown we have no control and that is why we are fearful......that's why it's hard at times for us to trust God because we don't know the outcome..and God doesn't allow us to know it if He did then there would really be no need to trust Him...Great post thanks for sharing my dear.

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  5. Great post Kelli.

    Fear gets it's grips on all of us now and again, but opening ourselves to God's Voice can put those anxieties back where they belong and give us the strength to move forward.

    Have a Blessed Day!

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  6. That old fear comes and goes but what if we were to listen to God all the time? We wouldn't have to worry about having any fear again.

    I am with Nikole Hahn, did you catch up with your husband and how long did it take?

    A great post and blessings to you.

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  7. OMG! What did you do? I remember the trains like that in Paris and how fear gripped me into worrying about being separated!
    Fear is a debilitating thing and I know it too well - great example here!
    Blessings :)

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  8. Great reminder, Kelli. I led a study at church that dealt all about self-confidence vs God-confidence. Self-confidence will always leave us feeling fearful.

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  9. Great post. Yes, I deal with fear and am constantly seeking God to help me with it.

    What happened, by the way?

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  10. I am realizing how very present fear is in my life. We have to be diligent about exchanging our fears for His strength and His power and cling to His promise of protection over us. Great post!

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