Keep Doing it Afraid

After writing do it afraid guess what happened…I got afraid and stopped. Now I could blame my lack of writing for the last couple of years on having a new baby, being in school, a global pandemic, politics, a rough patch in my marriage, tough times with my older son, having another baby, moving to a new city, and I would be justified in placing fault on those things. But if I can be transparent, it had nothing to do with any of those things, I was just afraid. Afraid of being too honest, scared that others wouldn’t understand my relationship with God, and unsure if my writing was good enough among other things. You see writing, and being consistent in this tiny blog is something that I know I’m supposed to do right now. It’s something that I think about frequently. It’s something that’s brought me pain because I haven’t done this small, seemingly insignificant thing. I’ve felt like I’m not showing up for myself and that hurts.

It’s worth mentioning again that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7. When we feel uncertain, anxious, worried, and panicked it’s all rooted in fear. I once heard someone mention that “fear not” is mentioned in the Bible 365 times, one for every day, and while I don’t know if that is necessarily true the Word discusses fear an awful lot. This tells me that fear is going to come, it’s inevitable, and it may even freeze you in your tracks but that spirit is not from God. And if it’s not from God it’s from the enemy.

Why are we being crippled with fear? All this year I’ve heard a saying that I thought was so simple yet so profound. Thieves don’t rob empty houses. Have you ever thought about that? The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I come so that you may have life and have it more abundantly. (John 10:10) Something is on the inside of you so powerful, so mighty, so incredible that it may change the course of your life or someones else’s life. The enemy will use fear to keep you from doing what you need to do, what you have to do. If fear will grip your mind you won’t act, I’m a living witness to this.

So what do we do? We speak the Word of God to our fears. We show up every day, every moment if we have to. We tell someone that we trust the task that we’re trying to do so they will hold us accountable. We ask God to have the right people cross our paths to encourage us. We stretch and stand on our faith to be set free. And finally, we keep doing it afraid. Keep standing in the face of fear reminding yourself that God has given us power and authority.

You owe it to yourself to be your best self. Live convinced!

Here are some scriptures that have been helpful to me when standing up to the spirit of fear. Saying scriptures out loud is such a powerful tool. (These are all the amplified bible version of scriptures.) Want a version of these scriptures that you can save to your phone? Click here.

2 Timothy 1:7-“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].”

Philippians 4:13-“I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]”
‭
Isaiah 41:10-“Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’”
‭‭
Deuteronomy 31:6-“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.””
‭‭
Proverbs 1:33-“But whoever listens to me (Wisdom) will live securely and in confident trust And will be at ease, without fear or dread of evil.””
‭‭
Hebrews 13:6-“So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say, “The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?””
‭‭
1 Peter 5:7-“casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].”
‭‭
Psalms 34:4-“I sought the Lord [on the authority of His word], and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears.”