Psalm 34:4 "I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears."
In the inaugural speech given by Franklin Roosevelt in 1932, Franklin Roosevelt used a phrase that described a feeling that blanketed this country. The nation was in the grips of the great depression. It was a time of great uncertainty. The nation waited in great anticipation to hear what the president would say. The one phrase he spoke that day has lived on into the future. These words, "There is nothing to fear but fear itself," are still words that ring with honesty. Fear is such a tiny little word, yet by definition and in practice, creates a life filled with distress. It is an emotion aroused by impending danger, evil or pain. This threat we fear can be real or imagined. Fear manifests itself in many ways in our day to day decisions. Fear can squeeze the very essence of living out of our soul. It can keep us from opportunities in life that God wants to bless us with. It can also strangle the blessings that we have to give to others. It can paralyze our ability to love again as we are afraid of opening up our broken and fragile hearts.
I have lived most of my life engulfed in fear. I was fearful of failure. What would others think of me if I made a mistake or said the wrong thing? Would I still be a person worthy of love? I was wrapped up in a blanket of fear so much so that it crippled my life. Then my daughter died and I had to face my greatest fear. The thing I feared most in my life, the loss of one of my children. How could I survive my biggest fear? It has not been an easy walk. I wish I could say I have not an ounce of fear left in me. What I have found is that I still struggle with being afraid. The world is often a scary place especially when I hear stories every day of other mothers who have lost their child. We each have struggles we face each day. Mine is fear but it is the very thing that keeps me abiding with the God who covers me with His feathers. Under His wings I can find refuge from this fear that can overwhelm me. His faithfulness is my shield that will always protect me as I battle this demon of fear. I know one day I will have victory in this area. So what is your struggle? I pray, like me, you have found a safe place to rest. Let Him cover you with His feathers and together, with Him, we will fight our demons.
Lord, we are still a work in progress. Progress, forward movement towards a destination, that is where we are and Lord we thank you for Your patience.
– Michele
