Endurance for the Journey, Fear, Featured

Living in fear of the future cheats you out of today. A precious moment tugs
on your heart like a child at your sleeve. Too often you miss that moment
concerning yourself with something that likely won’t happen
or will happen in a way that your worry can NOT CHANGE.”

DAVE BURCHETTE

Fear today looks a lot different for me than it did years ago. Does it mean that it’s gone away completely or that somehow, I have conquered it? No! But it doesn’t consume me like it used to when I found myself in difficult places, especially if something was going on with me physically. I know that in those difficult moments trusting God by leaning into His promises and the Hope that I have in Jesus, gives me the strength to face those fears. The reality is I’m just passing through this life to spend eternity with Him – no matter how many years I have left on this planet. And that gives me peace.

So let me share what God’s Word says …

There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
ISAIAH 41:10 (THE MESSAGE)

God is love.
When we take up permanent residence in a life of love,
we live in God and God lives in us …
There is no room in love for fear.
Well-formed love banishes fear.
Since fear is crippling, a fearful life –
fear of death, fear of judgement –
is one not yet fully formed in love.
1 JOHN 4:18 (THE MESSAGE)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity,
but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 TIMOTHY 1:7 (NLT)

I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me.
He freed me from all my fears.
PSALM 34:4 (NLT)

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray.
Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers,
letting God know your concerns.
Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness,
everything coming together for good,
will come and settle you down.
It’s wonderful what happens when Christ
displaces worry at the center of your life.
PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7 (THE MESSAGE)

A Prayer

Dear God,
Speak gently in my silence.
When the loud outer noises of my surroundings
and the loud inner noises of my fears
keep pulling me away from you,
help me to trust that you are still there
even when I am unable to hear you.
Give me ears to listen to your small, soft voice saying:

“Come to me, you who are overburdened, and I will give you rest …
for I am gentle and humble of heart.”

Let that loving voice be my guide.
Amen
HENRI NOUWEN

On the journey with you,
Dave Dravecky