Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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. Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. Philippians 4:6-9
 

Everywhere I turn this week I see blog posts, Bible verses, memes and more that all talk about the same thing: FEAR.  I have drawn a single conclusion to this. God is trying to talk to me about fear in my own life. Every one of these blog posts have encouraged me to renew my thinking and to let God rule my life and heart―not fear. Living in fear is not living; living in Jesus is living life to the fullest. Maybe you are having trouble with it too?

One of the posts I read encourages us to quit dwelling on what those things that are causing us fear by renewing our minds and taking those thoughts captive so that we are no longer living in fear but living in the abundant life of Christ.

“The enemy uses fear to bully many of God’s children. Spiritually, I see him as standing in the way of God’s blessings for us.

The enemy says (metaphorically speaking), “If you want to get to God’s blessings, you’ve got to get past me!”

Fear may mask itself as anxiety, worry, apprehension, or concern but these are still fear-based emotions… However, God’s word gives us prescriptions to stop fear at the source. My go-to prescription when fear tries to come upon me is 1 John 4:18:

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”

God does not want His children to live in torment, victims of the enemy’s bullying. Jesus came to set us free and destroy the works of the enemy through the power of His word!” ¹ ~Kimberly Taylor, Take Back Your Temple
 

Fear is not welcome here
worry no purpose or plan
guilt is a bottomless pit
complaints have no gain
and doubt only causes pain.
Why should I speak of
thanksgiving each and
every day? Ahhh… my friend
now there’s the rub
what could it hurt to think

©BridgesCreations, 2016

on things of praise?
Take a minute, sit right down
take pen and paper out
write today’s thanksgivings
at least five treasures down.
“Five?” you say?
Oh yes, I think that
that will do just fine
whatever is good, lovely
and pure whatever is
noble and kind.
I see you have them
written and I also see
a most praiseworthy thing
a very peaceful smile
has accompanied your face.
What good is all the worry
what good is all the fear
why not end each day
with a grateful heart in prayer?
~Marcell Warner Bridges
©12 November 2015
All Rights Reserved.

I encourage to go read Kimberly’s blog post (click to read) for yourself as she outlines how we then go from being in fear to casting it down from our imaginations. But the one thing to remember is this:

“When you are fearful and/or dismayed, that means you are meditating upon thoughts of “I am not able.”

However, during those times, you need to remind yourself that the Lord is with you – and He is able.” ¹
 

God is here with us. He’s never left us. He never will leave us. And isn’t that the root of our fear? That God will not be there wherever we go? Oh beloved friend, God has already been there.

As Lauren Daigle sings in her song Trust in You, “There’s not a place where I’ll go You’ve not already stood!” ²

No need to worry. No need to fear. God is right here with us and goes before us so we can meet Him there.  

From My Heart to Yours,

Marcie 

¹Kimberly Taylor, Take Back Your Temple, 3 Scriptures to Cast Out Fear http://takebackyourtemple.com/3-scriptures-to-cast-out-fear/

²Lauren Daigle, Trust In You. (C) 2015 Centricity Music

Fear you are not welcome here!

How to find peace of mind and heart when fear has set in

I’m doing 30 Days of Thanksgiving Poems through November. Come join me at Marcie Bridges Poetry Page 

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