Fear is a Liar

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. – (Proverbs 29:25, NIV)

Fear can be a trap, but if you trust in the Lord, you will be safe. – (Proverbs 29:25, ERV)

The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that. – (Proverbs 29:25, MSG)

Fear is a liar. It creeps in and tells us that we are not enough, and that we will never accomplish what we have been called and created to do. When we choose to trust in the Lord, we discover peace, provision and safety. The things that once brought fear can become sources of joy. In Him, we need not be afraid, but rather we can move confidently forward in all that He calls us to do and become. May we choose to listen to the voice of truth, and allow Him to show us how to overcome fears and persevere.

Choose let not the fear,

Of people and things;

Keep us from doing,

What is our calling.

Instead trust the Lord,

Who arms and protects;

Equips success,

As He knows what’s best.

Rise up in freedom,

Choose His strength and song;

Keep pressing forward,

In Christ, carry on.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that we need not fear people and their opinions, but rather we need to trust in You. Thank You that we have been created and called with purpose. Forgive us for allowing the opinions of others to give fear a foothold. Show us how to listen to Your voice and trust in the truth of Your word. Teach us to love those around us in a way that encourages trust and chases away fear so that all might persevere. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we recognize the truth of who You are and silence the fears that are not founded in truth. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? – Psalm 118:6

Trust is Greater than Fear

Fearing people is a dangerous trap, but trusting the Lord means safety. – (Proverbs 29:25, NLT)

Fear can be a trap, but if you trust in the Lord, you will be safe. – (Proverbs 29:25, ERV)

The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that. – (Proverbs 29:25, MSG)

 

Fear is a funny thing; it can prevent us from becoming the very person that God intended us to be. Incredibly, when we walk forward in faith, despite our fear, God meets us and leads us to the places we are meant to go. We grow bolder in our becoming, and discover so much more than we ever knew before. As we place our trust in God, rather than allow human opinion to adjust our sails, we discover the fullness and blessing beheld in all that He has for us. The joy and blessing found on the other side of fear are well worth the walk of faith. God has good in store for us. Often, we have to “climb the mountain” to arrive at the place where we are best able to appreciate the incredible view. May we release all fear into Your hands, trusting You to keep us safe.

 

Help us to not fear, 

For all that fear does;

Stop our momentum,

Trap us in what was.

But, trusting in God,

Our protection plan;

As He leads and guides,

Grants us strength to stand.

So, choose to fear not,

And trust in the Lord;

Keep moving in faith,

As grace He’ll afford.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us past our fears. Thank You that as we bring our fears to You, You take them and grant us strength and safety to keep moving in the direction to which You have called. Forgive us for allowing fear to paralyze us and prevent us from being who You designed us to be or doing the things intended for us alone. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would face our fears with faith, as faith fuels our fight to keep forging forward. Show us how to love those around us in a way that eases fears and strengthens faith. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we place our fears in Your hands and trust You to protect us and provide for us as we seek to become who You have created us to be. Amen.

 
© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. – Isaiah 41:13

Submit Not to the Snare of Fear

Fear of people and what they may or may not do, can keep us from living life to the fullest. To walk in reverence of God; to operate from a posture of trust, adoration and awe, proves to be a place of protection and provision, as the Lord is good and grants freedom to those who choose to walk by faith.

 

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe. – (Proverbs 29:25)

 

God did not intend for us to live life trapped in fear, but rather He provided the Source of all safety and security, when He sent His Son to take away every foundation for fear. Far greater is He who is in us, that he who is in the world. May we walk out each day in total trust, seeing clearly the snare that is set when the fear of man attempts to enter in.

 

Allow not our hearts,

be weighed down by fear;

for the Lord is safe,

and always, He’s near.

Let us place our trust,

in the Lord alone;

for greater is He,

than any unknown.

The fear of mankind,

is simply a snare;

to trap us in fear,

keep us unaware.

God is our refuge,

our safety and Light;

when the Lord’s with us,

fear’s snares must take flight.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that those who trust in You are kept safe. Thank You that You do not intend for any of us to be caught in the snare of the fear of man. Thank You that far greater are You who is in us, than anything else that is in the world. Forgive us for allowing our hearts and minds to become trapped into fearing man, and teach us to trust You more so that we will remember immediately, that You are the One who keeps us safe in the storms. Lead us to love well, so that many may come to know the safety found in You alone, and escape the snare of fearing what man may or may not do. Let hearts be turned and lives be led unto You. Be glorified O God, as we sidestep the snares of the fear of man, and trust in You alone. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

May God Almighty grant you mercy. – Genesis 43:14

An Appropriate Answer to Anger

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control. – (Proverbs 29:11)

 

Considering the multitude of injustices taking place in the world around us, it is easy to become angered at the outrage. However, when we are in Christ, we are called to handle ourselves in such a way, that the world sees a difference – even when we are angry. This does not mean we are to sweep offenses that need attention under the rug, but rather we are to approach them in the opposite spirit, with the intent to bring healing and wholeness to the offender as God provides opportunity.

 

In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. – (Ephesians 4:26-27)

 

“The Bible doesn’t tell us that we shouldn’t feel angry, but it points out that it is important to handle our anger properly. If vented thoughtlessly, anger can hurt others and destroy relationships. If bottled up inside, it can cause us to become bitter and destroy us from within. Paul tells us to deal with our anger immediately in a way that builds relationships rather than destroys them. If we nurse our anger, we will give Satan an opportunity to divide us. Are you angry right now? What can you do to resolve your differences? Don’t let the day end before you begin to work on mending your relationship.” – (NIV footnotes)

 

There are times when reconciliation is neither possible, nor wise. In such cases, all that we can do is continually give our anger to God, and trust Him bring about His justice. Despite what we see in the here and now, all will have to one day answer for what we have or have not done. May His wisdom grant us control, so that we may properly deal with anger.

 

Be not a fool,

that rages in sin;

choose His control,

Christ’s peace from within.

Allow it not,

to fester and grow;

go deal quickly,

don’t grant a foothold.

God’s great wisdom,

will show us the way;

to make amends,

and forgive each day.

Vengeance is not,

for us to decide;

pray for a change,

His justice preside.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are loving and kind and full of grace, yet You show us time and time again throughout Your word, that vengeance is Yours. Thank You too, for helping us to understand that anger in and of itself is not a bad thing, but rather it is what we do with our anger that determines whether or not we are responding in righteousness. Thank You that if we choose to listen to You and follow what You ask, we need not sin in our anger. Forgive us for our outbursts and for the times that we have stayed silent and harbored anger in our hearts. Teach us to trust You enough to act according to Your good and perfect will for us – even as anger arises. Thank You that anger is a call to action. May we answer the call and act accordingly. Let us love when those who have offended expect spite, and may they come to know that You are the reason for our love. Let the lost find You. Be glorified God, even as we act on what has angered us. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

When times are good, be happy. – Ecclesiastes 7:14