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I am sitting in my infusion chair receiving medication to treat my present condition while potentially causing an issue for my future condition.

It is a notion that I had to come to terms with when I made the choice to allow an immunosuppressant, biologic medication be infused into my blood stream every 8 weeks.

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I had to release the fear of the possibility of something adverse occuring in my future in order to best take care of me in today.

I needed to accept that I was making the choice for my present while leaving my future to the Lord.

In that acceptance, I became UNAFRAID.

I find it interesting that I am reminded of that process today as I continue on this quest of becoming UNAFRAID through writing…this 30 day writing challenge has quickly turned into over 90 days!!

On this day, I worry for those in my family who now carry Covid antibodies from having the virus…what will that mean for the future health of my precious loves??

On this day, I worry for the newest diagnosis of my dearest friend who continues to fight mightily against the cancer that rages inside her….what will this mean for her future? For her family? For me as her friend that loves her as much as I would if she were my sister?

I must accept what is for today and leave tomorrow to the Lord. He knows what tomorrow will hold. He loves them more than I do. He loves me too.

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That brings me to today’s verse which is found in 1 John 4:16-19.

“And so we know and rely on the love that God has for us.

God is love.

Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the of judgement: in this world we are like Jesus.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love DRIVES OUT fear because fear has to do with punishment.

The one who fears is not made in perfect love. We love because He first loved us.”

That is worthy of reading for a second time.

Here it is from the Message translation~

“God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God in us. This way love has the run of the house, becomes at home and mature in us, so that we’re free of worry on Judgement Day- our standing with the world is identical to Christ’s. There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life–fear of death or judgement- is one not fully formed in love. We though are going to love and be loved. First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first.

Well-formed love, perfect love drives out, banishes fear.

God is love.

God is well-formed and perfect to drive out AND banish fear.

God in us is what makes us UNAFRAID.

Think about that for a minute.

A little earlier in this chapter, 1 John 4:4, we read the One who is in you is greater than the one in the world.

The One in us is God, the one in the world is Satan- our enemy. Jesus told us in John 10:10 that we have an enemy who prowls around this earth seeking those to lie to, to kill,and to destroy.

This enemy in our world is who and what we have come to fear…it is his influence on our world that has brought illness,death, and evil through sin. This enemy is not in us. This enemy is in the world.

Go back up to the beginning verses of our passage…it clearly says God is in them.

Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.

That’s why we do not have to be afraid…the One IN us is BIGGER than the fear as well as the one who causes the fear.

Let me say it this way…my son plays football. When he was 13 he would wear his protective gear and would play well against those who came him. He did well using the gear outside of him to protect him.

Now, he has grown stronger through being two years older, weight lifting regularly, and eating a strict protein-filled diet. He still wears his pads when he plays, but he is stronger inside those pads.

Greater is He inside…

What about the part of all this that says if we have fear we do not live in love?? Does that mean, since I struggle with fear and am afraid, that God is not in me??

NO!

I think it all comes down to living in love.

How do you feel, how does your life look, when you feel loved?

Do the days seem brighter? Food taste better? The impossible suddenly possible?

When we live like we are loved we live differently…more optimistically…with more hope.

We are not living afraid.

The context of this passage adds to the weight of our discussion because it brings an authenticity and a vulnerability we must know to best understand this encouragement that perfect love can cast out fear.

The author is none other than disciple John. John penned himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved when speaking of himself through the biblical book of John. He was one of the “inner three” that followed Jesus the most close with Peter and his own brother James. John is also the man whom Jesus designated to take care His mother while He was dying on the cross~ that honor speaks to the depth of their friendship.

John was with Jesus when Jesus was arrested, tried, executed, and died. John was with Peter on the day Jesus rose from the dead and saw the empty tomb with his own eyes.

John was waiting in the Upper Room when Jesus appeared to them for the first time after His resurrection.

John became a leader in the new Church that was forming and was arrested for preaching the Good News of Christ. While his brother and friends were martyred for their faith, John sat in isolation on an island called Patmos for his punishment. It was here that the risen Lord now seated at the right hand of God revealed Himself to John in a vision. John received a revelation from Christ that he wrote and is now the final book in our Bible.

John loved Jesus. More than that, John was loved by Jesus. John was able to teach, serve, and love others because he was loved by Christ first.

He loved because he was loved.

John knew fear first-hand…he was at the Garden of Gethsemane, after all. He knew the fear of persecution; he watched his brothers suffer and die for their testimony of faith.

Yet, John did not live as if afraid. In fact, he lived his life UNAFRAID.

How could that be?

Because he had seen the risen Lord that loved him.

He had watched his Savior ascend to the heavens to take His rightful place by God…and he was not afraid to continue to live his life as if Jesus was right beside him.

He did that because, as he writes to believers in his 1,2, and 3 letters of John, he knew God was in him and greater was He…

He knew that God is love…therefore, focusing on that could overcome anything.

What do we focus on when we are afraid? Do we reflect on the truth that we are loved? Are we living like we know we are loved?

Have you tried to claim the verse that declares IN PERFECT LOVE THERE IS NO FEAR?

Have you tried, when afraid, to firmly state GOD IS LOVE. GOD IS IN ME. LOVE IS IN ME. THERE IS NO ROOM FOR FEAR WHERE THERE IS PERFECT LOVE?

Have you tried to be thankful, to feel loved, when worry, anxiety, or fear are knocking at your door?

Being thankful dispels anxiety.

It really does. I cannot think about what I am worried about if I am thinking about how thankful I am for something else.

Reminding myself that I am loved, right here and now- just as I am, allows me to feel safe, secure, and UNAFRAID.

Don’t ever forget that you are loved as well and become UNAFRAID.

Colossians 3:12-17

Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as member of one body you are called to live in peace.

And always be thankful.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives.

Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts.

And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

NIV

The United States of America is in turmoil this evening of January 6, 2021. We are on the eve of a new President being sworn in and the “old” President not wanting to concede. That conflict, as well as the rest we have experienced over most of 2020, has led to an almost coup of our Capitol.

I am 45 years old and I have never seen such blatant disrespect of a governmental system.

The only question on my mind is “what will tomorrow look like?”

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Watching my country split itself into pieces is heartbreaking and terrifying. We have no idea how much more bloodshed is going to occur in peoples desperate effort to “be right” and to “have their own way”.

What will the fallout of an unmasked, non-socially distant riot be while still in the throes of a global pandemic??

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There is much to be afraid of these days…

There is still so much uncertainty of our future as we deal with Covid as a people.

Many are dealing with other life issues that produce fear as well…awaiting a diagnosis, waiting for treatment to start working for an illness, job insecurities, marital crisis’s, financial burdens.

A new year normally represents a new hope for something better or different~ yet, this new year is beginning to feel like a carry-over from 2020.

So much has happened that has opened our eyes to the hurting, the injustice, the oppressed…how do we close them now that we can see?

So much has happened to bring awareness to the cracks in our many systems, from schools to law enforcement to social. The cracks only get larger as more time goes by without the proper repair work effective enough to correct what is wrong.

It is scary to think about what is wrong in our world. Frankly, a day like today makes it impossible to not look ahead without some trepidation.

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However, our quest is to become UNAFRAID. I’m thankful the goal is to become.…that means there is an ongoing process at work. It means we have not yet reached our goal. In fact, we may not ever be 100% successful in accomplishing our task as long as we live on this side of Glory.

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But we can still try…

And keep trying…

And keep trusting….

And keep believing that we CAN be unafraid…that we CAN overcome our fears…that we DO NOT have to be held captive to them.

Today, the encouragement from this verse, looks different than some of the others that we have read through. Today’s verse encourages us by giving a strategy that helps us to live for God daily…As we have learned in previous blogs, what we focus on- what it is we choose to think about- has either a positive effect on our overall well-being or a negative consequence.

Making a conscious choice to live for God daily puts our focus on Christ and OFF of what it is that troubles us…stresses us…causes fear.

In an era where we have News Channels available to us 24/7 and global information at our fingertips through our Smart Phones, it is easy for the turmoil of life to consume us. We far too easily have access to the details of events that are happening throughout the world as well as to “Dr. Google” who can over or under diagnose our every ailment.

It has become a necessary choice to distract ourselves from the world, instead of being distracted by the world.

We used to have to intentionally tune in for local or global event information…now, we have to intentionally tune out.

In our Scripture passage, the apostle Paul gives a list of ways to keep our focus on God~ away from fear. He is writing this letter to the church in Colosse to combat an infiltration of religion relativism into the church- believers who were trying combine elements of paganism and secular philosophy with Christian beliefs. His goal, in his letter, is to affirm they have all they need in Christ.

The list he provides us with keeps our focus on our Provider:

“Remove the head coach, and the team flounders; break the fuel line, and the car won’t run; unplug the electrical appliance, and it has no power.”

NIV Life Application Study Bible

When we stay connected to what Christ offers us we function at full capacity, we work well with others, and we have the provisions from the Spirit to complete the tasks set before us.

So, after reading our verse again, what is this list???

1. Imitate Christ’s attitude of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness.
2. Let love be the guide for your life.
3. Allow God’s peace to rule in your heart.
4. Be thankful.
5. Keep the Word of God in your heart.
6. Reflect Jesus with your actions, words, and attitude.

I think a good part of the verse to remember- especially in regards to allowing God’s peace to rule in your heart- is to make allowance for other people’s faults. It does not mean that we all have to agree and differences in opinions must be eliminated, but that we need to love each other in spite of our differences.

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Another thing I would focus on is that in order to keep the Word of God in my heart, I best be reading the Word of God on a regular basis. I need to KNOW it in order to recall it: that requires effort of my part to meditate on it regularly.

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When reading the Bible, I learn about the character of God…He shows me who He is through His Word.

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Knowing Him allows me to trust Him.

When I trust Him, I believe what He says is truth.

When He tells me to FEAR NOT, then I can be UNAFRAID.

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Focusing on God helps me to live for Him…living for God has me living like Him, treasuring His peace, cloaking myself in His love.

Suddenly, I am covered in armor to embolden me to face the unknowns of civil unrest, illness, grief, dissention, and financial worries.

I do not have to be afraid because I choose to be thankful in the only one I need to save me: Jesus.

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The next verse we are going to be looking into is one of my absolute most favorite Scripture’s ever! It is one I refer to on a regular basis, one I have prayed with my son in prevention of having bad dreams, one I encourage others with, one I remind myself of frequently.

Needless to say I am quite thrilled to be able to dig into this one as a means to become unafraid!

Philippians 4:8-9

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

NIV

Ever hear the old adage of “GARBAGE IN, GARBAGE OUT“?

This Scripture makes me think of that saying…meaning, what goes in your mind is what comes out.

Do you believe that you can control your thoughts?

Do you believe that you can choose what it is you are thinking about?

Do you believe that what you choose to put into your mind in your free time has consequences of both good and bad?

Let me give you a small example of what I mean~

I used to love watching Law and Order: SVU. In fact, I loved watching it most in the evening before I went to bed. Actually, it would usually be the show I would choose to fall asleep to while watching using the sleep-timer.

Eleven years ago, my sister in law died. With her death, my anxiety shot through the roof! I was suddenly worried about absolutely everything and found little solace outwardly.

As I learned how to maneuver through the grief journey I was on, I discovered that there were things that I could do to control one aspect of my life: my sleep pattern. My anxiety created frequent bouts of insomnia (something I do still battle occasionally). When I looked at my overall habits, I started to see the different things that I was choosing to do that were potentially adding trouble to my grief.

One thing stood out: my bedtime habits.

Perhaps, for me, it was not the best idea to end my day and begin my slumber with watching crimes committed by the worst of the worst in society for “entertainment”.

One day I made the choice to watch Everyone Loves Raymond instead. I found I much preferred going to sleep with a smile on my face than fill my mind with horror stories of crimes committed against the innocent.

Since then, I have made the conscious choice to change my reading styles from murder mysteries to things much lighter…my movie selection away from thrillers and violence. Actually, I choose to not watch things that could trigger my grief either- why force myself to be sad when there is so much around me that can make me sad all on its own?

I have made the choice -in an effort to fight my anxiety- to put only good things in my head (especially when thinking in the context of entertainment).

As I wrote in my last blog (Unafraid: Day 22), the book of Philippians is written by the apostle Paul to the Christian church in Philippi while he was imprisoned in Rome. Day 22 was a reminder from Paul to REJOICE ALWAYS as a way to become unafraid and today, Day 23, we are shown the way for the PEACE OF GOD TO BE WITH US.

While he is in prison, Paul encourages us to REJOICE and to think to about GOOD things and then the peace of God will be with us.

Garbage in, garbage out.

What do you think about when you are afraid?

What do you think about when you are sad?

What do you think about when you are anxious or angry?

If you are anything like me, then your thoughts are probably consumed by whatever IT IS that makes you afraid/sad/anxious/angry.

If I am afraid, let’s say of the potential of a mouse in my kitchen due to my cats suspicious behavior as they stare unmoving at the oven drawer, it is very difficult for me to focus on anything else.

If I am anxious, let’s say of the high probability that I told my husband the wrong dates off from my kids school for a mini-vacation that is already paid for and now I have to let my spouse in on my “little snaffoo”, it is hard for me to think about the best case scenario option when the “obvious outcome” is going to be disastrous.

If I am angry, let’s say when I feel I have been misunderstood and therefore misconstrued to another, it is near to impossible to let it go.

When I am focusing on my fear, continuing to think about the worst case scenarios, and refusing to let an issue go I AM NOT IN PEACE.

Your turn…

What are YOUR thoughts spinning around about?

Loneliness?

Illness in you or another?

An unanswered prayer?

An unfulfilled dream?

Regrets?

What you have lost or never had?

Your pain?

Your grief?

Your discontent?

None of those things are bad to reflect on…we must deal with our situations after all…we must face them to heal…to forgive…to move forward.

However, reflecting on your circumstance is not the same as keeping your thoughts on your circumstance.

What do I mean by that?

I’m so glad you asked!

When I am afraid that there is a mouse in the kitchen, if I choose to keep my thoughts on that possibility, panic sets in and I accomplish nothing. How do I know that? Because I am terrified of mice and have run to my bedroom in shear terror too many times over a possibility!!

Now, this morning for example, my precious duo of Henry and Bitty (Bella Cat) were keeping strict watch on my oven. I CHOSE to get my cup of coffee and go sit down in the living room for my devotion time with the Lord...in spite of my fear that there was a mouse waiting to reveal itself.

I chose to focus on something else other than my fear.

It is a small example, but why is the lesson any less applicable to a bigger scenario? I can CHOOSE to shut my blinds if I am afraid someone may be looking inside my window… I can CHOOSE to distract myself with an activity that brings joy on a better day when I am afraid of a diagnosis that I am waiting to hear the results about…I can CHOOSE to think on something PURE, LOVELY, or ADMIRABLE instead of what is is that is causing me fear.

In my anxiety over the unknown, I can CHOOSE to think on what I know is TRUE, what is RIGHT, and what is NOBLE.

I can spin on my hamster wheel of bad thoughts for quite a while, but when I choose to get off it or to jar myself out of the habit, it is then, and only then, that I begin to feel the peace of God that Paul speaks about.

I am no Apostle Paul. Nor am I imprisoned awaiting for my death sentence for preaching the Gospel. I am not separated from my loved ones by anything more than a mask and a virus. I am free to speak my beliefs.

I can say with the confidence of someone who admires Paul, however, an encouragement such as his:

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me- PUT IT INTO PRACTICE.

Why not give it a go?

Take a look at the last 22 studies we have done on being UNAFRAID…have you been able to put anything into practice?? Have you tried?

Because, here is the crux friends…

If you do…the peace of God will be with you.

Take captive your thoughts.

Think on good things.

Rejoice always.

Practice what has been preached.

And then?

Live in peace.

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I have had a week~ let me just start off by saying that!

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I am going to warn you…if you decide to dig deep into a study about something, be prepared to be tested on whatever that biblical study topic is! We do have an enemy folks: one who lies, kills, steals, and destroys. This enemy will go to all lengths for you to NOT have peace and for you to stay permanently and paralyzingly AFRAID. So, if a particular study is happening about becoming UNAFRAID, then be prepared.

That being said, a battle is being waged and I am on the winning side with the ultimate victor! However, I am picking up some battle scars along the way. There is no promise of an easy life, my friends. In fact, we were told by Jesus that we WILL have troubles. He even told us that what was done to Him would be done worse to us for believing in Him…BUT the reward comes in knowing Him, being loved by Him, being comforted by Him, by being guided by Him. No enemy does that! Only a Savior would.

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I have experienced fear this week that consumed my thoughts even when I was not consciously thinking them- know what I mean there?

Those are the thoughts that settle in tension around your neck and shoulders. It is the stress that settles in your stomach making it feel sour 100% of the time. It is the sort of worry that won’t let you sleep, but keeps you exhausted. It causes bad dreams…or “busy” dreams where you wake up more tired than if you worked an 8 hour shift.

Yep.

That’s been me this week.

The culmination was an absolute fatigue that finally overtook me for about 36 hours where I could do no more than wake up from a nap on the couch only to go to sleep in my bed for the night.

Rough stuff.

One word folks: COVID.

It entered my house.

It entered my husband.

It made itself real.

It made itself personal.

Before I worry you, my husband is FINE. He is recovered with only a small nagging cough remaining. However, my hospital trained, RN mind has taken me down rabbit trails of fear I dare not mention here…

I have NOT been unafraid.

What I have been doing, though, is fighting the fear.

We must not overlook that, friends. The path to becoming UNAFRAID is to intentionally fight the fear that makes us afraid.

The path to becoming UNAFRAID is to fight the fear that makes us afraid.

That brings me to today’s verse:

Philippians 4:4-7

REJOICE in the Lord always. I will say it again: REJOICE!!! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the PEACE OF GOD, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

NIV

To FIGHT fear we must know what weapons we have at our disposal and how to wield them!!

To best understand these verses and know our weapons of warfare, we must (say it with me) put them into context first.

The book of Philippians is written by the apostle Paul to the church of Philippi while Paul was imprisoned in Rome.

Good to remember that he wrote these words when he was in jail.

What would you write while in jail? Words of encouragement to another or all about your own suffering and what YOU needed?

He was writing to the church to thank them for a gift they had sent to him and to encourage them in their faith.

“Everyone wants to be happy; we make chasing this elusive ideal a lifelong pursuit: spending money, collecting things, and searching for new experiences. But if happiness depends on our circumstances, what happens when toys rust, loved ones die, health deteriorates, money is stolen, and the party’s over? Often happiness flees and despair sets in.

In contrast to happiness stands JOY. Running deeper and stronger, joy is the quiet, confident assurance of God’s love and work in our lives- that He will be there no matter what!

Happiness depends on happenings, but JOY depends on Christ!

NIV Life Application Study Bible note

THIS is the reason for Paul’s letter…to encourage other believer’s, out of his own experiences, of how to find JOY when circumstances demand despair.

We can use these given lessons against FEAR as well.

These lessons can be our weapon.

Let’s break apart this passage and see what gets uncovered!

• Rejoice in the Lord always!

Doesn’t that seem a strange thing for a man in prison to encourage other people to do?? Remember, Paul preaches and teaches from his own experiences with Christ- he would not tell the church to do it if he, himself, were not doing it already. Paul has an attitude that tells us our “inner attitude does not have to reflect our outward circumstances”.

Can you say you are joyful in your circumstance? Can you say that you are rejoicing in the Lord always? If the answer is no, do not be ashamed! It takes work and intentional effort to be joyful…we have to ask God for help as JOY is a gift from Him!

One thing to try (I found this in my Bible’s study note) is to ask God to help you to look at life from a different perspective than where you are currently seeing things non-joyfully from.

• Be gentle…for the Lord is near

We often reflect the mood we are in, do we not? If we are in a “good” mood, most people can tell by our affect. If we are in a “bad” mood, again most people can read that tension as it comes off of us in waves.

Those moods are circumstance dependent. Remember the quote from above about happiness: HAPPINESS IS FROM HAPPENINGS BUT JOY DEPENDS ON CHRIST.

Our mood should be dependent on Christ and not our situation.

Therefore, no matter our circumstance or situation, we should exude gentleness -being reasonable, fair minded, and charitable.

How could that be possible when so many circumstances can be so bad??

Because we are choosing to REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS.

Rejoicing in the Lord for who He IS, puts us into a different frame of mind than what our situation may be trying to demand…it is all about our focus.

(Remember, Paul is imprisoned for being a Christ follower- nothing more– so these words of encouragement to be gentle in an unjust situation are meaningful to him.)

The harsh truth is our rights, our justice, our plan, our issues should never be spoken louder than the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ. It is not about ME being right, instead it is about God being given the glory through my actions or my lack of words if necessary for the LORD IS NEAR.

• Do not be anxious
• in everything by prayer and petition (needy request)
• WITH THANKSGIVING
• give your requests to God

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What do YOU do when your anxious?

I think I have the needy prayer request given to God thing down….

Help me Lord

Save me

Hear me

Help them

Heal them

Please, please…

Protect them

Keep me safe

I am sure you can add your list to my own anxious requests…

Do these prayers WORK TO EASE YOUR ANXIETY AND FEAR?

Not. All. The. Time.

Why???

I think it is because I forget the next part…with thanksgiving.

I am to present my requests to God with thanksgiving.

Do I say “thank You for protecting me/them” in advance?

Do I say “thank You for hearing me” before my request is answered?

Do I say “thank You for healing them” before the healing occurs??

Do I rest in thankfulness or do I return to my pleas and petitions?

• The peace of God will guard your heart and your mind…

Have you heard about a peace that passes all understanding??? This is it.

Have you felt it?

Was it in your pleas? Or was it in being still in thankfulness?

Think about that one for a minute.

When have you experienced a peace that passes any understanding that stood guard over your heart and mind?

WHEN?

What were you doing?

Do that again. And again. And again.

Do you want to worry less?

Paul says to PRAY MORE!

But, how we pray is important…with honesty…with rejoicing…with thanksgiving.

True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. Our citizenship in Christ’s kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have victory over sin. Let God’s peace guard your heart against anxiety.

NIV Life Application Study Bible

Coming out of the tunnel that gripped me in fear, I find that thankfulness floods my heart and mind. I am grateful for the Bible verses that did come to my memory when I tried to lay still in bed. I am grateful I had Bible study APP’s on my phone and a sermon to listen to for distraction. I am grateful I had praying friends who checked on me out of concern for my mental well-being.

Now that I am on this side of fear, I can more easily say I am unafraid, but it is not true for the time I was in the dark. However, I KNEW there was Light somewhere and I clung to what I could not see.

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Keep fighting friends.

Rejoice always.

As you read this verse, come at it from the perspective of HOW this can help you be unafraid~

Romans 8:35-39

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

As it is written:

“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

No.

In ALL THESE THINGS we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

NIV

Ok folks.

If you did not read that out loud then I seriously recommend reading it again but do it this time OUT LOUD.

There is power in those words, is there not?

I mean, can I get an AMEN here?!

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There is POWER…POWER….WONDER WORKING POWER….

(I sure hope you are singing that song now! And if you don’t know it- go Google it!)

Let’s pull this passage apart~

For scriptural context please remember that these are the apostle Paul’s words written in a letter to a church in Rome. My Life Application Study Bible note writes this:

These words are written to a church that would soon undergo terrible persecution. In just a few years, Paul’s hypothetical situations would turn into painful realities. This passage reaffirms God’s profound love for His people. No matter what happens to us, no matter where we are, we can never be lost to His love. Suffering should not drive us away from God, but help us to identify with Him further and allow His love to reach us and heal us.

NIV Life Application Study Bible

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The passage quoted in the verses above by Paul is from Psalm 44:22 where the writer is crying out to God to redeem His people OUT of His unfailing love for them. It is a reference to people fighting a battle without God and coming up short of a victory leaving those defeated defenseless to bring glory to God’s name.

As a commentary writes, these words may sound blasphemous (“we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered“), but instead they are spoken out of great supplication- which essentially means “with begging”. It seems like the author is saying to the Lord, “Although we know we stepped away from You, God, and did this on our own, please help us anyway!”

As I first read this passage, my thoughts about putting that verse from Psalms in the middle of all the others was confusing. However, with this new understanding, I can see that Paul perfectly used an Old Testament reference for those who had an appreciation of the Psalms to recognize.

And it fits beautifully.

Let’s back up, then, and read it again, shall we?

Romans 8:31 kicks off this segment with the popular verse of “if God is for us, then who can be against us?”

GOD IS FOR US.

First and foremost, before we go deeper into our own verses, we MUST recognize what that means.

I would like you to humor me with an exercise I learned through a class about spiritual formation: we take a verse and break it up by putting different emphasis on the different words to watch the meaning really take shape.

Here we go:

GOD is for us.

God IS for us.

God is FOR us.

God is for US.

The emphasis on GOD causes us to reflect on WHO He is…who is He to you?

The emphasis on IS tells me that this is current news – not past tense. It is not “He was” nor is it “He will be”…it is “He is“.

The emphasis on FOR suggests that He is not our enemy, He is not going against us. God is on our side.

The emphasis on US is that you and I are included in all of this. Paul is not directing this statement to a certain person only, but to all who believe in Jesus. That is pretty incredibly, if you ask me!

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Moving forward now to our verses of the day using this new knowledge to propel us along~

Since God is for us, then who or what could possibly separate us from the love of God?

With God on our side, who or what could stand in between us and God’s love?

NOTHING and NO ONE that’s what.

So.

What stands in the way for you to be able to believe that?

And why would knowing that about God’s love –that there is nothing you have done or will ever do, nor anything anyone else could do to you will keep you from it– help you to be UNAFRAID?

Paul writes a list for us…

Trouble~ Anybody have any trouble in their life right now?

Hardship~ things going smooth sailing for you or not quite at the moment?

Persecution~ feeling oppressed or rejected or misunderstood?

Famine~ are you going through a dry spell or are you just plain hungry???

Nakedness~ do you have what you need?

Danger~ are you fearful for your very life?

Sword~ are you fighting a battle?

Psalm 44:22~ have you stepped away from God and are fearful He won’t help because of that?

How can LOVE help me with all that? Any of that?

Because God IS love. God’s love is never ending. God’s love is faithful. God’s love is patient, kind, gentle, and good. God’s love is unmerited. God’s love is unconditional. God’s love never leaves.

LOVE changes things…transforms people….restores relationships.

Love NEVER fails.

Love overcomes.

Love SAVES.

For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son so those that believed in Him would have LIFE.

(John 3:16)

When I am in trouble, the love of God that overcomes, saves, never fails, that gives life is what is FOR me.

When I am in danger, the love of God that is never ending and is unconditional is what I have going FOR me.

If I have stepped away from His presence and acted out on my own, His love that changes people, never leaves, and is faithful is what is FOR me.

THAT KIND OF LOVE GIVES ME CONFIDENCE IN THE FACE OF WHAT CAN MAKE ME AFRAID.

That kind of love is what empowers me to claim verse 37 boldly:

Through all these things (all those things listed above that would try to keep me from seeing or sensing the love of God) WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS through Him who loved us!!!

That’s like saying IN SPITE OF all those things, I am still a conqueror in Christ because He loves me.

That’s crazy, isn’t it?

All my imperfections normally keep people away…keep people from loving me….or keep me from letting people love me.

But, THROUGH those imperfections I am loved AND I can be a conqueror!

What does that mean to you? To be a conqueror?

I think of a hero…a warrior….someone brave and strong.

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A “conqueror” or a “warrior” is not usually the description I would use to describe myself, especially when I am feeling afraid. But, it IS the character quality that I need to identify when I am afraid in order to overcome my fear!

And this verse? It tells me THAT I AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR BECAUSE OF GOD’S LOVE FOR ME!

Because of my blatant refusal to be anything less than transparent, I will share my personal truth. I am currently living in a state of fear. Covid-19 has entered into my home and I have never felt more vulnerable in my entire life.

It is like an invisible enemy living under my roof, trapped inside my husband, and looking to break out from him to find a new victim. I do not like to think of myself as weak, but having a compromised immune system means I am at higher risk for a virus that is more vicious than anything our healthcare system has ever seen. With the knowledge that my extremely healthy and strong husband has contracted the virus, my own suppressed system has suddenly become more highlighted.

If HE can get this and be sick with it…then that means that I certainly can as well.

If HE can get this and be sick with it, then my strong teenage sons are also at risk more than I had wanted to believe.

I never doubted the dire possibilities of this virus and we have not been consciously lax in our efforts to maintain safety and yet….here we are.

I feel I am in danger.

I feel I am vulnerable.

I feel we are in trouble in this world due to this virus.

There are so many around me who are facing hardships because of Covid or in spite of it with other issues…and Covid is complicating everything.

Here comes that confidence…BECAUSE OF THE LOVE THAT GOD HAS FOR US, WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH CHRIST as we face whatever is lying in front of us making us afraid.

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I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

“These verses contain one of the most comforting promises in all Scripture. Believers have always had to face hardships in many forms: persecution, illness, imprisonment, even death. These could cause them to fear that they may have been abandoned by Christ. But Paul exclaims that it is IMPOSSIBLE to be separated from Christ. His death for us is proof of His unconquerable love. Nothing can stop Christ’s constant presence with us. God tells us how great His love is so that we will feel totally secure in Him.

If we believe these overwhelming assurances, we will not be afraid.”

NIV Life Application Study Bible

Let me say that again:

IF WE BELIEVE THESE OVERWHELMING ASSURANCES, WE WILL NOT BE AFRAID.

What I do is talk to myself…I remind myself of the power of God’s love that is inside me when I am scared. I remind myself of His promises when waves of anxiety crash over me.

I remind myself that I am more than a conqueror.

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Romans 8:28

And we know with great confidence, that God (who is deeply concerned about us) causes all things to work together (as a plan) for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.

AMP

After spending quite a few studies in the Gospels, we have now jumped to the letters of the apostle Paul. This particular passage does not mention being unafraid, but it can certainly give us a reason to be.

This passage is from the book of Romans which is a letter that Paul is writing to the Christian church in Rome. His letters are expressions of encouragement to the believers that are under severe persecution for their faith as they live in region where Caesar rules and considers himself to be a deity. This was an incredibly dangerous time for Christians who worshipped Christ as King and not Caesar.

This is a well-read passage and has been passed on from believer to believer as a way to encourage one another to maintain HOPE in the face of trials.

But it is also quoted in ways that are found to be unhelpful as it can be interpreted to mean that all things have a way of “working out for the best” for a believer….when that is not always the case.

If interpreted that way, a person can easily become confused when their situation does not work out quite so well.

Does that mean they do not love God enough?

Could this verse mean that my BAD situation is a part of God’s purpose and plan???

I have a personal story about this verse that I share often in the grief support class that I help to facilitate.

Let’s read that verse again -this time in a different translation- and then I’ll tell you my story.

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

NIV

If you have been following my writings, you may know a little bit about my history: one of my very first blogs tells of my story. But, for the sake of better understanding and a way for me to connect to this passage in order to help YOU connect to it, I’ll refresh your memory about me.

I must say….this blog is rather real and raw- I find I am hesitant to even share these thoughts as they are ones I hold close inside. But, in the scope of a person who desires full transparency, here I go…

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I was raised in a Christian home that went to church every Sunday and Wednesday. My brother and I loved going to church and loved being a part of our youth group! I would (with great anticipation) attend at least two “church camps” each summer and looked forward to weekend retreats, as well, throughout the winter.

My faith was very real and I was fairly well-informed of the Bible as a teenager.

However, due to frustrations and disillusioned after a change in church leadership, I left for college without a strong desire to seek out Christian fellowship or corporate worship. You see, I had become discouraged with “organized religion” and felt myself to be “above” the need for it.

That arrogance set me up for a journey away from the presence of God that I was too blind to notice.

I quickly began to live life MY way. I got busy with school, with fun, with friends, with my career, with more fun…I began to experience a reckless side of life that I had been sheltered from and I took chances with my own safety as well as the safety of others.

This continued as I grew into a thirty-plus year old wife and mother with a stable job as an RN. I kept my faith on the back burner – it was not really forgotten, but it certainly was not a priority to use either.

Let’s just say that it would have been hard to know I was a Christian from the way I behaved or spoke. There were times, however, that I knew it would be appropriate to pray for someone or (as crazy as it sounds) encourage others to lean into their faith or go to church.

I just did not want to be influenced by God in a way that my lifestyle was going to require changing. I was “fine” just the way I was.

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Until.

In 2009, my sister in law died of alcoholism.

She was 41 to my 34 years of living.

She had three kids under the age of 12 to my two under the age of 6.

I knew her drinking was different than mine…but it did not seem by much.

And it killed her.

That moment brought me to my knees.

I can still feel it in my memory…the hard floor underneath me as I collapsed to the ground in my dining room when my husband (her brother) left our home to join his parents at her bedside.

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I had no one I felt I could call.

I had no one who was able to come over to comfort me.

In the days to months that followed, I grew confused, conflicted, angry, and then numb. I slipped into an empty space where I could not feel anymore. Frankly, I no longer wanted to.

My coping skills consisted of pretending I was “fine”, staying busy, and having a few cocktails each day to “settle” my ever- growing anxiety.

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Unfortunately, this is the point where having caring, Christian parents who love you (and loved my sister in law as well) became an issue.

They wanted to help.

How dare they, right?

They wanted me to feel better…to find some peace…to change my own ways so I did not end up dead as well.

Their efforts were to pray consistently behind the scenes for me and to attempt to “help” in the only way they knew how:

they kept reminding me of my faith.

They reminded me of Bible verses that had been prayed over me as a teenager. They reminded me that praying to God would help. They reminded me that going to church was a good idea and that I used to like going. They reminded me of praise songs that I could no longer sing because the words would get clogged in my throat if I attempted to try to sing.

The more they reminded me, the more angry I became.

And then they declared the verse for today…out of love for me and with good intentions…

Good ole Romans 8:28….”God works all things together for His good”.

My response was rather embittered~

Oh yeah?

He does, huh?

Cuz this sure don’t look or feel good.

In a moment, I shut down completely to them…to God….to any comfort that could possibly help.

My anxiety grew with my drinking habit.

My insomnia laughed at me.

My fear of something else happening put an ice shroud around my heart.

And a Scripture about God working things for good is supposed to help me?

That verse was like acid on my tongue.

There was no good in this situation.

There would be no good in this situation.

I was hopeless and defeated about it.

Fast forward a few months of misery, after a couple of weeks of personal counseling (which I highly recommend if you are in despair!). I found myself walking into a church of all places.

I had seen an advertisement for a GriefShare class and felt something inside me warm up a little as I contemplated attending. When I went to the first class, I was hung over and pretty much expecting to be asked to leave or to have a fireball from heaven rain down on my hypocritical butt!

Neither happened.

Instead, I found a place that taught me how to grieve.

Once I gave myself permission to grieve, I was suddenly in position to receive comfort.

Jesus, in Matthew 5:4, tells us that blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.

First, I had to mourn.

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As I learned more about God and began to experience His comfort, my heart began to thaw. I started to feel again. I started to want to feel things again. I started to want to care about people again and to let them care about me.

That meant my parents too.

Needless to say, they were thrilled beyond all measure to know I had chosen to go to church for help: I like to say that desperate people do desperate things….even go to church!

They were even more thrilled to watch my life be radically changed by the One who comforted me.

A year later, my marriage fell apart.

-Sorry, there is no easy way to say that one-

Again, I was face to face with the tension of God’s goodness and His plan for my life and my reality. It made no sense that I would be brought to a new place in life due to my relationship with Jesus, but that my marriage would fail in that transformation.

After one horrible weekend away from each other, with me resting in the comforting presence of the Lord and my husband gone to decide what he wanted out of our life together; he came home to me.

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Almost 9 months later, my husband gave his heart and life to Christ. Six months after that, we were volunteering as youth leaders in our church’s youth group. We were attending church as a family and had changed the trajectory of our family’s future forever.

Enter in that darn verse of Romans 8:28…

My sister in law died in 2009.

I was in absolute despair in 2010.

My marriage was almost over in 2011.

Our lives were dramatically changed by Christ as we lived for Him as a family in 2012.

THAT year I made a Christmas card and sent it to everyone we knew.

It had a bunch of pictures of our year together and the caption said only one thing:

And WE know that in ALL things God works FOR THE GOOD of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

“Good” doesn’t always look the way WE think it should or will. “Good” doesn’t always happen on our timeline either. God’s purposes can be very different from mine…but His good is so much better than I could have ever imagined…and His timeline makes more sense as I look back.

God did NOT take my sister in law…she died. What God did is what He does best~

He brought what was planned for evil and used it for good.

My life could have be destroyed by the alcoholism that took the life out of my best friend. My marriage could have been demolished in the wake of that grief. My children’s future could have been a legacy of godless living and alcoholism.

BUT GOD…

His goodness and His purposes…all because we love Him.

And we love Him because He first loved us.

Now, I have confidence to claim this verse when fear is again encroaching on my doorpost…I KNOW what God’s goodness can do in the face of what IS NOT GOOD. I have seen His mercy, grace, protection, provision, and restoration in my life, my husband’s life, our family’s lives, our marriage, and in countless other people we have been blessed to know since the day evil had been planned.

I can be UNAFRAID.

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John 14:27

Peace I leave you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and DO NOT BE AFRAID.

NIV

These are the words spoken by Jesus not too long before He was arrested to be crucified. These are the words spoken to His friends before the most unimaginable thing was going to happen to Him right in front of their eyes. These are the words spoken to give His friends comfort after He died a death that would make no sense to them. These are the words spoken to those closest to Him so they would be remembered much later when they, too, would be persecuted as He had been.

A question to ponder~

What would YOUR last words be to those you love if you knew you were going to die?

Jesus offered comfort that only He could give in the form of peace that would transcend any and all understanding.

Jesus offered peace in the middle of intense sorrow and fear.

Jesus told them to NOT BE AFRAID.

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“The end result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is deep and lasting peace. Unlike worldly peace, which is usually defined as the absence of conflict, this peace is confident assurance in any circumstance; with Christ’s peace, we have no need to fear the present or the future.

Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt, and numerous other forces are at war within us. The peace of God moves into our hearts and lives to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict.

Jesus says He will give us that peace if we are willing to accept it from Him. If you life is full of stress, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with Christ’s peace.”

NIV Life Application Bible Study Note

I must be honest; when I began this Lectio Divina on being unafraid it was based on the idea that during a time of political uncertainty that we were facing as a nation prior to a presidential election in the middle of a social crisis while dealing with a global pandemic it might be a good topic focus on.

Because, you know, that is a lot of stuff going on.

2020 has been nothing short of surprising twists and turns with a little bit of “just when you think it was bad, things got worse” going on.

Today, as write this, I am feeling the pressure of a viral surge as it comes closer and closer to those I know and love. It is coming closer to where I work in the hospital.

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There are those who think fear is irrational; that we should not be ruled by it; that we should not succumb to the precautions recommended because that would mean we have bowed down to what is threatening us.

Perhaps they are right.

However, to not be afraid is easier said than done.

Telling me to NOT BE AFRAID does not necessarily help me to be unafraid…but, since this is Jesus talking, I figure I better try to grasp what it is that He is saying and how I can achieve what it is He is asking of me.

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Within this passage, it is important to remember that we have the whole story of the Gospels; the disciples did not. In the Gospels, at least three different times Jesus told His disciples what was going to happen to Him; that He would be arrested, that He would suffer, and that He would die.

But they could not comprehend what He was talking about…it made no sense to them that their Messiah was going to die as Jesus told them He would.

As we read this passage over again we must remember that the disciples would not understand why Jesus was telling them to be unafraid.

He was telling them so they would remember it later when being unafraid was going to be important. He was telling them so we would read them too.

My peace I leave you is not any ordinary kind of peace…This is Jesus saying MY peace I give you.

It is HIS peace.

The peace of God is given to us.

I do not give as the world gives.

When the world gives us something, it usually has conditions attached to it. There is rarely never something offered for nothing. Usually, there is a price to pay on our end to get what is offered. Usually, it is limited as well.

The WORLD= conditions, limitations, and a price to pay.

God?

Unmerited.

Unlimited.

Unconditional.

Do not let your hearts be troubled and DO NOT BE AFRAID.

How can He say that?

It’s all because of His peace… unlimited, unmerited, unconditional peace.

The peace of God looks like Jesus sleeping on the boat while a storm was raging and the disciples feared their boat would sink.

Jesus slept through it because He was in complete peace.

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What are you afraid of?

In these days of Covid there certainly is much to worry about…to be scared of.

How can I be unafraid and be at peace???

I think on good things.

I remember the faithfulness of God.

I tell myself that I am loved.

I read the Word to be encouraged.

I watch things that edify me.

I listen to things that lift my spirits.

I talk to the Lord and tell Him I am afraid.

I recieve His peace.

Still afraid?

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I repeat the process.

I don’t know about you, but my tension is beginning to rise.

I now personally know people who are SICK with Covid-19. They are not “just positive”- they are sick. The hospitals are full. The staff that work in them are stretched thin.

I personally know people who are really ill from their medical conditions. I know others that are waiting to find out if there is any treatment for what what ails them…so they battle frustration on top of the overall situation.

I have been informed of someone I knew through youth leadership may have died by suicide.

There are BIG issues globally. There are big issues locally.

There is so much uncertainty. There is so much sickness. There are so many hurting.

Can you feel it too?

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The verse to dive into today is one we have gone over a few days ago…but the passage told by the perspective of the disciple John gives it a new view. Before, I wrote about it from the perspective of Peter as he joined Jesus in walking on the water…today, there is something else I need to see. It is found in the words of Christ Himself.

Here we go~

John 6:16-21

When evening came, His disciples went down to the lake, where they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. When they had rowed three and a half miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the water, and they were terrified.

But He said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.”

Then they were willing to take Him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

NIV

The back story to this passage is that Jesus fed 5,000 people (with leftovers) after teaching all day. John tells us the reaction of the crowd after witnessing this incredible miracle: they intended to make Him king by force.

Can you imagine what your response would be after witnessing five loaves of bread and two fish continually being replenished to feed a crowd? I dare say we have just solved world hunger, haven’t we?? There will no longer be a need for food stamps! We will never have to wait in grocery store lines ever again! All we gotta do is put THIS GUY in charge and the system is fixed!

However, Jesus wasn’t going to step into His role as King that way…under human standards.

He slipped away to be alone with the Lord.

John 6:15

Jesus, knowing that they (the crowd) intended to come and make Him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by Himself.

NIV

The other Gospels inform us that the disciples KNEW to cross the Sea of Galilee and that Jesus was planning on joining them at some point. The issue of HOW He would join them never seemed an issue worth mentioning…they simply knew He would.

So, they left in their boats.

As per the physical features of the Sea of Galilee (being roughly 650 feet below sea level while also surrounded by hills) a storm rapidly appearing was not out of the ordinary. The storms were sudden and fierce. Most likely, though, they would blow out as fast as they would blow in.

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After rowing for 3.5 miles -in the night- such a storm blew in.

This was the moment where they saw Jesus approaching on the water.

Picture that for a moment…you are on a fairly small boat with your friends in the middle of the night when a pretty severe storm begins. This storm causes the water to get really rough so the boat is pitching around in the darkness. You can’t see much around you because the stars and moon have now been covered by the storm clouds. Your sense of direction is completely altered. It is hard to discern if the water that is hitting you in the face is coming from the sky as rain or from the waves of the sea as they crash into the boat.

As you, and your friends, are frantically looking for a way to gain control over this situation you see something out on the water.

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Frankly, it looks like a ghost and it is freaking you out.

However, the shape looks so much like Jesus that you can’t stop yourself from trying to focus your eyes onto Him…just to be sure your mind isn’t playing a trick on you in the night.

Suddenly, He confirms it. He says, “it is I.”

Then He says the most wonderful thing a person could possibly hear when they can’t see, they are scared, their very life is in danger:

“Do not be afraid.”

These are the words I am stuck on:

It is I…Do not be afraid.

A commentary note says that one reason the disciples did not know who Jesus was and were afraid that He was a ghost of some kind is because they were not expecting Him to appear and to help them.

Let that sink in for a minute.

The disciples were afraid because they were not expecting Jesus to appear and to help them.

Is THAT why I am afraid?

Seriously folks, we are in a storm. Man. Those waves are crashing hard. We cannot see what is ahead and, if we are being honest, what is behind is pretty murky thanks to the confusion led by the media and our politicians here in the U.S.

Am I not expecting Jesus to appear and to help???

He – Jesus- says because it is Him….that He is there….they do not need to be afraid.

Are we not told in the Bible that Jesus will NEVER leave us or forsake us? That God will go before us? That a Comforter has come to guide and support us?

And, yet, we are still afraid…aren’t we?

I am.

What gives me comfort are those first three words spoken by my Savior…

“IT IS I.”

How reassuring is that?

It’s like He is saying, “I AM HERE”.

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I need that reminder in the surging waves of a storm that threaten to capsize the boat I am sailing through life in.

I AM HERE.

I need that reminder when I am in the dark and I cannot see where I am supposed to go next.

I AM HERE.

I need that reminder when I can’t hear the TRUTH over the storm that tries to confuse me.

I AM HERE.

I need that reminder when I am afraid of what storm will pop up next.

I AM HERE.

I need that reminder when I am scared.

I AM HERE.

My friends, here is the nitty gritty… Jesus IS here with us.

Look for Him: expect that He WILL show up and He WILL help you.

If you let Him, He will get into YOUR boat too and help you to suddenly be where you were heading.

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The key here to all of this is will you let Him into YOUR boat?