I recently read an article by a well known writer that made me cringe. God gave us fear were her words. And yes, I re-read them several times in disbelief.

I believe her matter of fact sentiment aimed to provide women with a sense of peace and encouragement that fear is here because it’s just a part of who we are. Unfortunately, this is far from the truth and the impact of this particular message could be devastating.

The Bible says “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP.

When fear is granted space, your God given sound mind goes right out the window. Fear then initiates a neuropathway that says stay away from that – it’s too hard, too scary, too impossible, etc….. – so whenever you return to that thing, you can’t get started, keep moving or just do it, even if it was a God given directive. It’s because fear has you totally confused, paralyzed and standing in your way.

The other thing fear can do is tell you to desperately fight for whatever it is you want. Work harder, faster and more than you ever needed to. This track often causes us to run far ahead of God, leaving behind His guidance, peace and the ease He could have granted us to attain the thing we’re striving for. And we’re left wondering why we’re struggling, having not yet reached the goal or able to have peace and joy in the process.

We’re designed to function at our best when we’re not filled with fear, not knee deep in the stress that the fear causes and when we have full trust in the love, peace, grace and presence of the God who created us.

In no way am I saying this is easily accomplished. In fact, I believe it’s a large component of the spiritual warfare we’re currently experiencing. The faster, busier, more hustle culture. But we’re also called not to conform to this culture. As The Message Bible reads, “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.” Romans 12:2 ESV

This pace, the stress it causes and the fear that sparks it, does us absolutely no good. It’s not the truth we’re meant to live and it prevents us from accessing the easy and light God desires us to experience.

Let’s work together to kick fear out of our lives and experience the peace we truly long for.

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