Isn’t it interesting that a simple picture can look so ominous in a certain light?

The way we see something can make whatever it is we are looking at or toward seem so scary.

Fear has a way of gripping us…morphing our view of life into a horror film.

When I reflect over the past year, I can see where being afraid threatened to hold me captive.

There were days I was its prisoner- that is for certain. There were days its chains and shackles around me were so tight I could barely stand under their weight leaving scars on me as evidence.

There were other days though…days when I stood tall in defiance of the perception that the situation was hopeless or that my role in it was wrong…those days I felt strong, tall, empowered.

I grew stronger through both kinds of days.

The reality is that no matter how I felt, how scared I was, how terrifying the unknown possibilities seemed I knew what I believed.

I stood firm and clung to that.

Isaiah 41:10 say Fear not, for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My victorious right hand of rightness and justice.

Remember, I have experienced both kinds of days- fearful and fearless days.

My faith does not make me immune to the reality of my feelings or emotions BUT it does sustain me through those feelings.

Looking back, I can see where I was strengthened and hardened to difficulties. I gained a wisdom I never sought to learn.

I can see where the Lord, my Savior, held me up in His right hand.

That alone gives me confidence to move forward into another year filled with the possibilities of new adventures.

It also has changed how I view the picture- making it less scary.