F.E.A.R. – False Evidence Appearing Real

That was my husband’s definition of fear. And, he was right on. How many times do we have fears that are false fears based on false information? As much as I’d like you to believe that I’m this fearless dynamo, I still have those times when fear is an unwelcomed guest in my heart. I know better than to let Mr. Fear in because I know too many scriptures where God commands (not suggests) “Do not fear”. This one is my favorite: “So DO NOT FEAR, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” {Isaiah 41:10}

During my childhood years, they called girls like me “Fraidy Cats”, and I was. I feared my home burning down because I smelled smoke coming from neighborhood chimneys. After seeing a film about “The Rapture”, I was so afraid that I would be one of those left behind, that if I called out for my mom and she didn’t answer, I panicked. F.E.A.R. False Evidence Appearing Real. It was a false fear, but fear was my constant companion.

But, then one day, all those Bible stories I heard and read about, and all those "Do not fear" scriptures I thought about, clicked in me. The more of God’s commands and promises I read about, the more fear left me. I started sensing His presence wrapping me up in a “security” blanket. Many years of living and soaking up His presence has transformed a “fraidy cat” into a fearless, relentless, equipped, and on-purpose woman.

For many, many years, now, I have known those "I am with you" words to be true. I really know and sense His presence with me daily. I soak up His presence. And when I don’t sense His presence – it’s not because He’s left “the building”. I’ve left Him. I may be thinking about something that is bothering me, or I may be involved in a disagreement with someone, or I may be watching something on TV or social media that doesn’t bring joy and light into my room (my heart) and then fear sneaks in.

When we seek Him with all of our heart, we find Him, and when He’s with us, Fear finds no place in us. I wish I could say that I don’t have moments of occasional fear. You know them, too.
Times when we may have lost our keys or cell phone (if you're like me, you're well acquainted with that knot in your stomach when you can't find them), or what about a huge repair bill that came in, and there just wasn't enough in the bank or credit card to cover it? Or, even worse, maybe a negative medical report came in, that left you feeling hopeless. The easiest thing to do at any of those times is to retreat and to run away from it all to escape. I want you to know....I've been there. I've experienced those circumstances, and I know how easy it is to fall prey to FEAR! But I also know that when we move forward with undaunted faith and determination, and we face that giant of fear head-on and we aim our fear-less stone at his ugly head and declare: "I am more than a conqueror" he will FALL.

Fear must flee in God’s holy presence. And, in His holy presence is where I endeavor to stay. God doesn’t promise to make our lives easy and carefree, but He does promise to be with us every single step of the way. He is with us, dear friends. We can count on it. He will never leave us and never forsake us. He will love us through whatever circumstance or fear we face.

Life is Like Candy Land! It's a Sweet Spot or a Sticky Swamp!

Everyone that will read my post today will, no doubt, remember playing, at least one time or another, the "sweet" game of Candy Land. It still ranks as one of the most popular children's games in the U.S. I've played it with my kids and grandkids -- many times. The goal of the game is to make it to the end of a winding route and reach King Kandy -- but the path is very unpredictable. You pick a card and it might indicate that you can jump way ahead or you may have to go way back to the beginning. Or you might get stuck in Molasses Swamp, where you have to stay until the right cards turn up. The randomness of the cards adds to the adventure. You can be almost to the end of the adventure, but you still have to draw just the right card to reach your destination.

Though the game is truly a "game of luck", it plays very close to the real unpredicatability of our lives. One moment we might be in a state of incredible joy, but give it a couple of days, and we might face incredible disappointment. Neverthless, the reward of reaching King Kandy makes the adventure worthwhile. In this post, I'm referring to King Kandy aka Father God. No, He is not a Candy Store where we can always expect sweet delacacies, but we can trust that even in the tough times, He is directing our steps. Proverbs 16:9 "A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps."

I know those adventures. And, I know my faith tells me that my Lord walks the journey with me. He never promised a clear, unobstructed road, but He did promise to be with me -- even to the end of the world (Matthew 28:20). Having Him with me, gives me joy, peace, and contentment, whether the adventures lead me to sweet treats or to yucky swamps.

God's Word (scriptures) illuminates my pathways. "His Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my pathway." Psalm 119:105. His LIGHT keeps me from going off-course. As long as I keep my focus on Him, He keeps me in peace.

So, today, if you find yourself depressed, sad, afraid, doubting because you're hanging out in places of darkness -- I lovingly encourage you to move toward THE LIGHT. Let God fill your heart and home with His light. Let Him eliminate the sources of darkness. I promise you…..you’ll find the SWEET SPOT. Then you'll live in Candy Land's home SWEET home everyday!
— feeling peaceful.

Living in the Sweet Spot

Want to know the secret to my joy, my peace, my place of absolute contentment?

I’ll admit – “I’m in a sweet spot!” Even, the very day of the “big reveal” of my Sweetheart’s diagnosis – Stage 4 Kidney Cancer – I was enveloped in a blanket of peace. And to this very day, I know what it is to live in that peace. And, I am absolutely adamant about protecting that blanket with everything that’s within me…..and outside of me. Indeed, it is my “security” blanket.

I don’t watch horror flicks – on TV or theaters. I don’t read books that cause me to entertain thoughts of darkness, and neither do I put myself into situations that draw me into darkness, nor those “issues” that create darkness – anger, envy, strife, jealousy, sadness, grief, etc. If I find myself even getting close to those places…..I look for the closest “escape hatch” that I can find.

That’s why I, along with about 30 others who were with me, all got up and left a Broadway play that was displaying those “dark” emotions: anger, jealousy, killing a husband, cheating on a wife, and lots of cursing.

And that’s why I made a decision many years ago…..to forego Halloween. I live in the light…..why would I choose to be part of a custom that applauds the darkness? Witches, ghosts, devils, death, horror, blood, violence, skeletons, haunted houses?

I found that what we entertain, welcome, and think about is what we’ll get more of. And my greatest LIGHT source – is God’s Word. That’s why the scriptures are so vital to me – they’re my absolute Statements of Faith, Peace, Comfort and Joy -- Isaiah 26:3 ”You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.” And, Philippians 4:8-9 “...whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you." (words of St. Paul)

So, today, if you find yourself depressed, sad, afraid, doubting -- those places of darkness -- I lovingly encourage you to move toward THE LIGHT. Put light in your heart and home by eliminating the sources of darkness. I promise you…..you’ll find the SWEET SPOT…..where I live! There’s nothing like it! It’s Candyland everyday!
— feeling peaceful.