Mommas, how many times have you found yourself, down on our knees, eye-level with your littles, reassuring them it’s going to be okay? Confidently saying, in a gentle tone, ‘Trust Mommy, I’ve got this!’

How did that make you feel? Being the one in charge, to those precious, helpless babes? And yet, they doubted or questioned you?
Especially when you knew whatever the situation was, that you were in control?

It could be something as simple as, ‘Trust Mommy, your food will taste the same on the orange plate as it will on the purple.’
Or maybe heavier moments where your assurance must truly sustain hope. ‘Trust Mommy, I will hold you in the water and not let you drown.’
But, what about those overwhelming moments when the outcome may not be so clear. When heavy advances to a whole new level?
And fear begins to creep in.

Fear builds when we are no longer in control.

When we can’t guarantee the outcome, anxiety builds, worry festers and fear sets in!

Last year, the flood brought fear and uncertainty for many families! This year, the pandemic has our entire world in a panic! Our local MOMS theme this year was FEARLESS.
I do not believe this to be a coincidence because we didn’t choose this theme based off the outcome of the flood last year. Nor because we were predicting the pandemic. No, it was a GOD-incidence. He knew.

And as our theme verse taught us,

‘God did not give us a Spirit of Fear, but one of Power, Love and Sound Mind.’

– 2 Timothy 1:7

I truly believe He was preparing, equipping and challenging us this year for what is to come!

Did you know that, “Do Not Fear” is written 365 times in the Bible?

Many times in the Bible numbers have significant meaning. I can’t back this up for sure, but there are 365 days in a year…so even reading ONE verse a day reminding to remind ourselves “Do Not Fear” may lead us to becoming FEARLESS! Right?

Being fearless means to FEAR less.

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”

– Psalm 27:1

We fear because we are uncertain. We are no longer in control. We are facing the unknown! And right now, we are deeply impacted by the unknown!
But we do NOT need to fear! Instead, we need to do the opposite! Overcome that fear dwindling our desire for more.

Overcome fear by establishing Faith.

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

– Hebrews 11:1

Fear is deeply rooted in who we are. Overcoming it is not going to happen overnight. And it’s not because God doesn’t have the power to do so, it’s because it’s OUR CHOICE! And that choice needs to be made by establishing FAITH.
And as we have been commanded “DO NOT FEAR”. And you know why? Because for one, God’s Word tells us and His Word is truth! Also, when we apply His truth in our lives and live for Jesus, we have hope.

A HOPE that doesn’t require us to be certain in ourselves, just in Him.
A HOPE that doesn’t give us control, just Him.
A HOPE that when we face the unknown, we know one thing for sure and that is a ‘promise of a hope and a future’ (Jeremiah 29:11) and that is only found in Jesus Christ!

Persevere in Faith & Grow in Grace

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

– James 1:2-4

We have been called to run the race of life! In this life we will face trials of many kinds. When these trials come, we have two options. We can GO or GROW.

We can GO and run the other way when things get tough. Or we can buckle down and trudge forward and use the opportunity to GROW! God has equipped us for just that approach! And He desires to see us persevere in faith and grow in His grace.

Can we see the outcome of this pandemic? No. Can we see what life will be like in a month? A year? 5 years? 10? No! Can we see what tomorrow holds? No! But when we fear less we truly know and believe the promises of the Maker of All.

So when our munchkins come to us with heavy hearts and fearful minds, we can confidently say, ‘Trust Mommy, because I trust God!‘

“Fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

– Isaiah 41:10

*CHALLENGE: This next week, choose a verse in the Bible that commands us “Do Not Fear” and write it down on a note card, sticky note, or even scrap paper and hang it up in a place where you will see it every day. Meditate. Memorize. And pray over that verse to take one step closer to becoming FEARLESS!

Here are just a few to choose from:
Deuteronomy 31:6 / Isaiah 41:13 / Psalm 23:4 / Mark 6:50
Hebrews 13:6 / Psalm 56:3-4 / Joshua 1:9 / Luke 8:50

Heavenly Father, with You there is nothing to fear! Please Lord, make us fearless! Help us to fear less and place our trust in You! Help us to overcome fear through faith; persevere in faith and grow in grace! May we be strong and courageous and cling to You! Because You’ve promised to never leave us! Thank you for that promise! We love You! And seek to serve you! In Your Holy Name, Amen.