F.E.A.R.

Have you ever found yourself overcome by a fear that you know cognitively is irrational, but shaking it is tough? I think anyone who has ever been a parent has had moments like this because being responsible for the life of a bunch of little people is fertile ground for fears to take root and grow.

Acronyms are often a creative way to remember things and the acronym I heard for fear is one of my favourites...

False
Evidence
Appearing
Real

Can you relate? Have you ever been consumed with a fear that was based on nothing in reality, but was simply that ~ false evidence appearing real that caused you to freak out?

I have struggled, at times, worrying about something happening to my children. I have one particular child who I have dreamt 3 times drowned! Whenever we are around water, I can become stressed because I fear that what I have dreamt was an indicator of what is to come. I fear that which is not real becoming a reality in my life.

I shared with a girl today in Sunday school that the enemy loves to encourage our minds to dwell on this false evidence because then he can wander through our minds unscathed, pointing out all the potential snares and pitfalls. The one sure-fire way to banish him is to come back at him with the Truth of God's word.

2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God has not given a spirit of fear or timidity, but of power, love and a sound mind."

1 John 4:18, "There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love."

Do you see it? For those of us who are "in Christ" and walking with Jesus, fear does not have to be part of our lives. Sure, we're going to have thoughts that descend upon us, but we do not have to dwell on them and allow them to take up residence in our minds and our hearts!

Join me in sharing with the enemy the truth of God's word every time we find ourselves confronted with fear. We shall walk in freedom and not allow ourselves to become slaves to his lies. What a way to live!