fear

Sometimes, when I'm bored and left to my own devices, I start to imagine my worst fears. All sorts of things, really. Fear of the future, past, what might happen, what probably will happen, thinking up things that will happen that in all actuality never will (but, you think, it still could happen), fear of losing family, friends. Blah blah blah.

I'm getting tired just typing all of that out. Sheesh, what a nutcase.

A few days ago as I was talking to God about all of this, something hit me: all of those things could happen. Yep. Trusting in God does not mean trusting that nothing bad will happen. Then I did something that I haven't done before. I played out those fears in their fullest - past when the dust settles on a terrible situation and  your entire life is in complete upheavel. Past my initial reaction and realization. Past the emotional trauma of having whatever fear it is realized in my life. After all of that - what would I do? Well, that's the wrong question. What would He do? He would give me strength, assurance, the supernatural ability to brush the dirt off myself and keep on walking. I'd be a mess, yes. But He wouldn't be. And in that I would be strong.

Don't you ever wonder how the Proverbs 31 woman "laughs at the days to come?" That woman has no fear. None. It seems that she quiets her fears by acknowledging that crap happens in life, and even if her worst dreams become a reality, she knows where her footing is - she is planted right on top of the truth that He will never leave us, forsake us, or abandon us. He did not make us timid, ladies! He gives us a spirit of power and a giant can of you-know-what to smack our fears square in the face, David and Goliath style.

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."