FEAR CAME TO STAY

Fear arrives unnoticed and is diligent to remain unsuspicious during his stay. No one sees the amount of luggage Fear carries. When Fear shows up, it comes to stay. Fear comes quietly and listens to your morning conversations and takes notes, nodding his ugly head and tapping his pen on his paper. Fear stands at the door as you try to pray and begins to device his plan.

Fear whispers into the air around you every time you voice your ideas. “It cannot be done.” Fear writes on the walls of your apartment so that you see it the moment you sit down for coffee. “Not today, you will leave it for tomorrow.”

Fear listens to your concerns and agrees with you. It sits at your bedside, holding your hand, comforting you with a sinister smile and says, “Poor darling. Are you feeling hopeless?” It grabs at your heart with icy fingers and sends cold vibrations throughout your body, numbing your strength, and pushing you back on your pillow. Fear stands at the window and observes you through the night, as you remain awake, unable to sleep for the sounds that surround you and the imaginations of your heart increase.

Carefully he comes when you finally shut your eyes, and it binds your feet, binds your hands, covers your mouth, and then stands back to admire his work. Morning comes with all your plans and responsibilities commanding your attention. Courage and Assurance of heart have been strapped down. Your heart is racing, you feel dizzy and as you attempt to stand and get out of bed, Fear laughs and punches you so hard you fall back on your bed.

Fear smiles and shows you his previous notes. “Here are your dreams.” He takes a black marker and scribbles on them. “Here are your hopes.” It scribbles once more. “This is what you prayed for.” Laughing loudly, he scribbles a dark line across these. You are frozen in time and cannot move. Fear has taken residence.

What will you do?

I’m going to tell you what you’re going to do, and do it now.

Get up! If you get knocked down, push forward and get up. Get up now! One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! Acts 18:9 NLT 

Today, the Lord says to you “Don’t be afraid!

 Speak out! Don’t be silent!” 

You see, Fear is going to hear it today. So get ready!

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, 

and he delivers them. Psalm 34:7 NIV

You are not alone. Won’t you call out to the Lord who has promised to show up? He’s all around you cheering you on as you begin to fight against Fear.

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NLT

I know Fear doesn't want to leave, but you are going to have to open up your big mouth and speak out because up to now, Fear just hasn’t seen the side of you that can command an army when you put your trust in the Lord.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3 NIV

Get up and walk around your home. Every room that has ever made you tremble at the thought of taking one more step, every area that has ever frozen you as you walked in the dark and made you feel you couldn't breathe. Get up and awake the Word of God in your heart and bring it forth into your home and heart.

In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me? Psalm 56:4 NIV

Fear has to leave! It cannot stand in the presence of a Holy God. It cannot stay in the presence of perfect love. God is encouragement and Life. Open all those doors that have allowed Fear to live in: the door to your mind, your heart, your dreams, your future, your prayers, and your life. Open those doors and take a dark marker and begin to scribble what the Lord says to you today.

He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day. Do not dread the disease that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. 

Psalm 91:4-8 NLT

One last verse:

 I am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear? Isaiah 51:12 NLT

WHY? Why then, are you still afraid?

Your comments are welcomed, positive or negative.

SILENCE

Silence. 

Silence is a weapon strategically used to control a situation. Silence is used to dominate the conversation. Silence shouts and says, “I am superior! I am in charge! There is nothing for you to question in my presence!” Silence is a tool that slowly but forcefully cuts into the wood to shape it to its desired form. It tells you when to stand and when to sit. Silence is a drum that pounds mercilessly upon your mind, forcing you to question everything you have ever said or done. At the end, Silence declares you, “Guilty!”

Silence is company to many and defends not one. It visits most unexpectedly and knows when to leave. Silence knows when to force you to pretend as if everything is fine, inviting you to laugh at the jokes and be part of the group. The truth is, as much as you want to pretend, Silence never left the room. You see, Silence reminded you to remain quiet through this act of false joy and certainty. Silence reminded you that you better play your part in this game correctly or when everyone was gone, Silence’s presence would even be greater.

Silence comes to overpower. The effects of constant water falling upon rocks are seen in dents, holes, and breaking away. Silence is the waterfall, the rainstorm, and the sea that washes away the laughter. It comes to numb reality and forcefully hush your pain.

Silence is present and resents you for questioning the reason for its existence. It is angry and then falls asleep. Silence breathes on your bed and reminds you that if you go away, it will follow.  Silence needs to disappear, to go away, to find another home. The door is ajar and your eyes are on it. Will you close it or will you open it and run? Will you slam it shut or will you quickly jump to your feet, in the midst of the weight of Silence’s presence pushing you down, and will you escape?

Silence reminds you of what and who you will leave behind. It says, “Worthless one. I knew you would quit! You see, they will blame you if you leave!” Your heart pounding like the sound of an oncoming train constrains your voice once more. Silence has been residence here for too long. You place your bags down. You walk away to the corner of the room that has become your escape. You lay on your bed wishing for immediate sleep. Defeated and broken, still, you think of what you heard and know that Silence has won. 

There is no escape. No way out! You hold your blanket close around you and try to pray for strength for one more day. For you never know when Silence will be present or when it will pretend to hide, disguised in the image of love and companionship, for just a while, until it has what it wanted and then, when it is done, Silence returns.

Get up, I'm shouting at you, Get up and run! Run to a place of refuge where silence is no longer holding your voice and speak, shout, cry out for what you need, for what you know to be true. There is a way out if you can believe it. There is hope if you can open your heart to find the answers in God's love for you. He is hope and more.