As much as I hate to admit it, I have battled with fear and worry for as long as I can remember. It’s always a struggle. Daily. Talk about exhausting. Being fearful takes it toll. It’s mentally exhausting due to what feel likes a never-ending battle with worries and anxiety about anything and everything. Case and point: I would classify myself as a WebMD Pro (hello, hypochondria). Have you seen the movie, “The Switch” with Jennifer Aniston? I think one of the funniest scenes (probably because it is too relatable) is when her little boy learns the definition of a hypochondriac and immediately claims “Oh my gosh… I have that, too!”… I wish I could say that’s not me, but it is.
Not only does mental exhaustion kick in, but also frustration because I know it’s unnecessary- Totally and completely unnecessary. I know it never helps a situation. I try to not let it get the best of me, but sometimes it does. And most of the time, I don’t even realize it. Recently, I’ve begun to recognize how much of my life is spent being fearful and worrisome, but I’m done living that way.
Thank God for blessing me with a fiancé who knows just what to say and do to help me fight off the enemy. Because at the end of the day, the truth is it’s Satan who causes my fears and worries. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.” Amen to that truth!
A couple months ago, Blake and I were discussing fear and my unfortunate, debilitating relationship with it. And although my fear in that moment was legitimate and real, it needed to be overcome. As we worked our way through the conversation, I said something along the lines of, “I do trust God, but we still need to live in reality.” As soon as the words left my mouth, I heard it. For the first time, I realized my fear was triumphing my faith. You may be thinking “duhhh..,” but for me, this was the ah-ha moment that I had been waiting for. While we can’t ignore our reality, we can have faith that God can and will overcome, overpower, and out-love any doubt, fear, or worry we have. Better yet, He will change and use our circumstances for His good. Fear doesn’t overpower faith, but faith and love overpower fear.
All of that to say.. Any negative thought, fear, doubt, or worry is not from God. It’s a spiritual battle with the enemy, who will take any and every chance to tear you down. So, don’t let him. This life is too short and temporary to live without the joy and peace we’ve been blessed with. Now, whenever I feel fear creeping in to steal my joy, I think of 2 Timothy. It brings me the confidence and hope I need to stand firm in truth and fight off negative feelings and thoughts. Fear has no place is my life, nor yours.
