FEAR - False Evidence Appearing Real

Sure sounds like a headline in our news today, doesn't it? My husband gave this acronym to the word, “FEAR”, many years ago to our children when they were seeing and hearing” things” in their bedrooms at night. To them, it looked like and it sounded like a monster but in reality, it was only a coat on a hangar or the rumbling sounds of the refrigerator.

He also used that acronym when he was speaking to people about those dark shadows of defeat and discouragement that were looming over their lives, but in reality, those were the scare tactics of the enemy to make them think they were going to fail. False Evidence Appearing Real. I also remember when he’d encourage someone to consider applying for a job at a certain place. They did, and they got the job. He proved his point that FEAR about tomorrow was getting them no place, but putting muscle to trust in our unfailing God makes “all things possible” and causes FEAR to flee.

My two young grandsons asked me to tell them the "cat and Papa" story again. Believe me, they’ll be telling their kids this story one day. Here’s the story:

Our daughter, Staci, was the guest speaker for a Mary Kay Annual Convention in Nashville. We had a few minutes to spare so we walked to a little shop nearby, and this little "fake" kitten caught my eye. I wanted it for a companion to the ceramic dog we had. When the kids were younger we always had cats and dogs around, but the day came when the kids left home, and so did the pets. These little imitation ones suited us just fine -- no responsibilities of feeding, watering or cleaning.

We drove home from Nashville (back then I was her travel companion and we toured the country doing conferences, meetings, and concerts in our custom high-top van). We could drive for hours because when one of us was driving, the other was sleeping on the bed in the back. We made it to Tulsa about 3 a.m. and put the cat on the chair beside Ron's chair. We thought he'd love our new pet when he would come to the den in the morning. Later, when Staci and I awoke, he told us that he'd walked into the den, saw the cat and thought "Oh, those girls. They must have left the door open when they got in and that cat snuck in." He quietly closed the doors to the den and kitchen so he wouldn't wake the cat up, and then have to be chasing it throughout the house. He opened the back door so he could chase it outside. He went to the cat and "shushed" it to wake it up and with the spoon in his hand from stirring his coffee, touched the cat....nothing. Then he tapped it and it was hard. He knew it was an imitation. The visual of that story-- of him sneaking around the cat to not wake it up -- still makes me smile.

I still have that cat AND dog, to remind me that SOME THINGS are just not as they appear. Ron spoke about the acronym of FEAR again -- False Evidence Appearing Real. That cat stirred up concern in him -- he sure didn't want to be chasing it around the house -- like he had with birds that had come in through the fireplace before. But, thankfully -- that cat was false evidence -- it only appeared real!

How many times do we worry and concern ourselves with things that aren't real? If we had kept a journal of those worries, and reviewed our journal a year later, we'd see things that were worrying us or causing us fear that never came to pass. With trusting in Him who is the REAL DEAL -- fear doesn't have to consume us and neither should we give it the time of day.

This scripture says it plainly: Isaiah 41:10 "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."

Now watch out for those fierce, violent little kittens that just might come and settle in for a long night's nap!

Lion + Bear + Big Dude = Promotion

I posted about David and his Giant, yesterday! Just wanted to add....a P.S. to that post!

David DID win that epic battle with Goliath, but God had prepared him in the trenches, in the “small” things. David was faithful to fulfill his responsibilities. David did anything God asked him to do. When he faced the lion and the bear, he didn’t cower in fear. He knew that God had called him to the sheep, and that God would be faithful to give him the victory. That's why his faith grew as he destroyed the lion and the bear. So when the BIG DUDE came along, David already knew HIS God would defeat that giant as well.

Moral of this story: "Be faithful in the little things (those seemingly insignificant responsibilities and jobs -- like David did as a shepherd boy), then God will make you ruler of much (PROMOTE YOU!)." Luke 16:10. David eventually became King David of Israel. The sheep we protect, lead and guide (you know.....those everyday duties and responsibilities); each lion and bear we slay (everyday issues, challenges and circumstances); and each giant we take down.....are ALL a part of God's Master Plan that leads us to our destiny and purpose! He's preparing us right now and fully equipping us to be the most epic GIANT SLAYER ever! So, BIG DUDE, move out of our way! We've got your number and you're going DOWN....and WE'RE MOVING ON UP!