Dear Reader:

I know I must raise my hand and confess “Guilty” if asked if my fears get in the way of my faith.

As much as I try to push fears aside…the insidious little “creatures” have a way of finding their way back into the control room of my brain center. They then start shooting out messages that start with:

“But what if….or “I’m not strong enough to handle this” or “How can I be sure or “What if I really mess this up?”

Cheri Fuller, in her book Trading Your Worry for Wonder, states that part of the problem for many of our needless worries and concerns stem from the fact that we keep God at a distance.

She uses the analogy of a little boy running and jumping in the arms of his daddy full of faith and assurance that he will catch you…because he always has before. We humans need to feel that reassurance of love and protection over and over and over and even then, we still have trouble accepting it.

Haven’t we all gotten to the place many times in our lives where we aren’t sure any more if God really loves us….if He is listening or even cares?

We go through the motions, showing up for church most of the time, and we try to do the right things most of the time…but we still keep God at a distance like some type of kind old uncle who we love and enjoy being with…but in between visits we forget about him and let the world take control of our lives and dictate our paths.

Why do we distance ourselves from God … Cheryl Fuller says that most of the time it stems from fear…and we pay a high price for it. (Here is an excerpt from her book)

The High Cost of Fear

What a toll anxiety and fear take in our lives! It’s the greatest barrier to our becoming all God means us to be. Moreover, fear, whether conscious or unconscious, has several devastating effects. 

1. Fears causes confusion and faulty thinking– worrying actually blocks logical thinking
2. Fear saps our energy– if we use it up worrying…like a car we can literally run out of gas
3. Fear harms relationships– people-pleasers fear rejection so badly that instead of being honest…we put on masks
4. Fear limits our potential– Fears literally create what we fear…“I was afraid that was going to happen.” 
5. Fear robs us of faith– When fear robs us of our faith, then power, strength, and a loving attitude go too.
6. Fear and Worry steal our joy– It’s hard to be happy and worried at the same time.

Corrie ten Boom (Holocaust survivor and heroine) *This is such a powerful quote…am writing it on my mirror….until I learn it.

“Worry doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrows. It empties today of it strength.”

Fuller concludes her first chapter by stating:

“The good news is that you can trade worry for wonder:

Wonder- at what an adventure life becomes when we’re not shackled by anxiety

Wonder– at the growth in our relationships when we let go of control

Wonder– as we discover and pursue the special gifting and purpose God has for our life

Wonder– at who God is and how great His power is toward us who believe.

……………………..

So until tomorrow…May we trade our worry in for wonder…and continue to run and jump into our Father’s arms…secure in His Presence and open to all the wonder and awe of life.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh