Tag: fear

Love Beats Fear

Published on by Thesearchforhappilyeverafter

In bed the other night my husband and I got into a discussion. Ok, it was an argument. One of those arguments that ends with you both turning to face the opposite sides of the bed, fuming.

I was crushed, and it took me awhile to fall asleep. I couldn’t get our argument out of my mind, and I was sad that we felt so disconnected.

As I laid there, I talked to God about my disappointment, and He reminded me of 1 John 4:18:

“Perfect love casts out fear.”

Suddenly I realized that we were just responding to each other in fear. Fear led to our argument, and fear made us too stubborn to let the other one have the last word.

But God. God is Love. And perfect love casts out fear. That night the Lord reminded me that I have Him, and since I have Him I have love, the most powerful force in the world.

I simply have to choose love, not fear.

According to the Bible, Love is patient, kind, unselfish, forgiving, mature, giving, faithful, truth-loving, good, trusting, and humble (I Corinthians 13).

Also, the Bible tells us that “God is love” (1 John 4:16); therefore, whatever is a characteristic of God is also a characteristic of love. God is light and there is no darkness in Him (1 John 1:5). God was willing to humble Himself to save us (Philippians 2). He tells us Ge is the good shepherd, and a good shepherd will leave the 99 other sheep to find the one lost sheep (Matthew 18).

Therefore, we know that these are characteristics of love. Love humbles itself. It risks rejection. It tries again and again. It cares more to serve than to be served. It does not fear what could go wrong.

Love simply gives and trusts God with the result. So my job isn’t to fear. It’s to trust and give love, even to those who don’t deserve it.

And, yes, sometimes I feel like my husband doesn’t deserve it. (I’m sure he feels the same way about me at times.) But love means I ignore fear and I give anyway.

I’d like to end with a link to of one of my favorite songs by Cory Asbury: “Reckless Love”…

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We All Deserve to be Cancelled

Published on by Thesearchforhappilyeverafter

Anyone else notice the new American fear? It’s not terrorism or earthquakes. It’s something that haunts us in a deeper level: the fear of being cancelled.

Just a few years ago, Americans discussed different viewpoints with an ounce of civility. There was always Uncle Fred—or that neighbor that gets real emotional—and you’d see someone explode in rage. That happens.

But something has changed this past year. Americans are taking sides. Disagreements that used to cause a little distance are causing divisions in families, churches, communities, and more.

There is a new mindset that has permeated popular culture since 2020. We can thank the race riots and the riotous race for president. The media trumpets this message louder every day:

“If you don’t fall in line, you will be kicked out of the crowd.”

There is a media stronghold in this country, and anyone who opposes it—or even just says something they consider disagreeable—that person gets “cancelled.” In other words: shunned. Pushed out of the discussion about the country. Snubbed from having any right to say anything. It’s the grown up equivalent to your parents sending you to your room when they didn’t “like your tone of voice.”

Popular culture has created a new religion, and it’s called “being woke.” The way to earn your salvation is to toe the line and be as politically correct as you can be. Your righteousness is in how “woke” you prove yourself to be.

Americans are shaking in their Nikes over this. What do we do? What if it happens to me? Will I be cancelled?

Here’s the truth: We all deserve to be cancelled.

The Bible says, “There is none righteous, no not one.” (Romans 3:10) All of us fall short of righteousness. All of us sin. None of us are good enough.

The media and its pundits would have us believe that we must think a certain way or vote a certain way or we are “bigots” or “racists” or “Uncle Toms.” Even though we know these labels aren’t true, they strike fear into our hearts. (I’m guilty of this fear too.) But the righteousness of the woke means nothing to God.

When we stand before God—not as an ethnic group or a race or a gender, but as individual humans—we will each see how our “good deeds” meant nothing to earn our individual salvation. Only those who believe in Jesus as their Savior will be seen as clean. Our social justice involvement won’t earn us a pass. Neither will our amount of melanin. How oppressed we feel or what gender we are won’t get us a better spot in Heaven.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.”

Acts 16:31

Only Jesus. Only He can save us. Only He can make us worthy. Because it’s not about anything we do or have done, it’s only about what He did for us on the cross. We have all sinned (yes, even bad thoughts are sin) and deserve eternal punishment in Hell. But Jesus Christ stepped in and voluntarily took that punishment in our place. That fact means that my future is secure no matter what the world thinks about me.

So, bring on the cancel culture. We all deserve it. But if you’re a believer, Jesus steps in and says, “You can cancel her, but I never will.”

American Esther

Published on by Thesearchforhappilyeverafter

I’m blessed to live in a country with a document that says I have the right to state my opinion, even if it’s unpopular. I’m thankful for my country; however, things are changing. More and more Americans do not feel safe voicing their opinions.

I’m thankful to live in a country where I can participate and live out my beliefs without fear. However, that is starting to change as well. For all of the Bible’s talk of love, some people publicly accuse Christians of hate simply because we have differing beliefs on certain things.

I’m grateful to live in a country with a free market, where I can start my own business or give people rides in my car to bring in extra income. But, yes, that too is changing. Many of the most powerful activists and leaders in Washington DC promote Marxism—an economic system where “equal”citizens equally own nothing and live as pawns in the hands of a rich group of rulers.

Even though, I’m blessed and thankful to live in America. God has put me here, right now, for a reason. He has a plan for each one of us. He does not make mistakes, and He is working all things out for our good (Romans 8:28). Just as God used Queen Esther to speak the truth in a dangerous time, He has called me to speak truth in “such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).

Let us live boldly and trust in the One who allowed us to be here at this very time in history, and who has a plan for each of our lives (Jeremiah 29:11). Let’s pray that America will prosper and be a land of freedom for all. But, let’s be faithful in trusting the Lord in what He allows and where He has placed us—even if things get worse.

“From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” Acts 17:26

Trust God. Speak truth. Love others. God bless America!

Jesus, You are my home

Published on by Thesearchforhappilyeverafter

The world seems to be going crazy.

The U.S. is overcome by chaos.

So many of us are feeling overwhelmed by what the future may hold.

But Jesus is my shepherd. He takes care of me, just like a shepherd cares for a sheep. He provides for me and protects me. He is my constant companion.

“The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water. He gives me new strength. He guides me in the right paths, as he has promised. Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, LORD, for you are with me. Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:1-4

Jesus, you are my home. My safe place. Help me to run and hide in you when I am afraid.

the weight lifter

Published on by Thesearchforhappilyeverafter

“I am the Lord your God. You were slaves in Egypt. You were bent low from the heavy weights you carried as slaves. But I broke the heavy weights that were on your shoulders. I let you walk proudly again.”
‭‭Leviticus‬ ‭26:13‬ ‭ICB‬‬

Have you felt more than tired under a heavy weight? I have. The weight of regret. The weight of sin. The weight of fear. So many weights…

But God is a weight-lifter. Not in a gym—though that would be fun to see—but in our lives! He can carry your burdens. He wants to take them. All you gotta do is turn to him and ask him to take whatever is weighing you down. He will do it.

Jesus said in the book of Matthew, “Come to me, all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

Lean on Him. He’s there for you!

Take courage

Published on by Thesearchforhappilyeverafter

Fear is a choice.

This is something I’ve learned recently. In this crazy spring. (2020 we will not forget you.)

Fear is everywhere in America. Fear of a virus. Fear of being alone. Fear of not having enough food. Fear of losing a job. Fear of being judged. Fear of being shot. Fear of those people. Fear of that group. Fear of those who should protect us. Fear of people who look different from us. Fear of riots. Fear of economic depression. Fear of a growing divide in our country. Fear of rejection for who we are. Fear of government control. And the list goes on and on…

Fear is everywhere right now.

But, ya know what? We don’t have to give in to it. We don’t.

Fear is a choice. And we don’t have to choose it.

You see, fear is Satan’s trademark. It is his operating system. He wants it to be like the WiFi in your house: everywhere…you can’t see it, but any moment you can hook right up to it.

For most of my life, fear was like oxygen. I just breathed it in and out constantly. It was always with me, even when I wasn’t aware of it. Sometimes I would forget and feel happy, but wait a minute or two and that fog of fear would be around me again.

Reading my Bible and singing praise songs have the best affect on making that fog leave. However, two things that have really made a difference lately have been a book I read and a comment my pastor said.

The book is Fear is a Liar by Daniel B Lancaster. In his book, Lancaster refers to the verse “Perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18) He says that believers in Jesus can claim this verse , knowing that God is Love. We can either choose to walk in the path of love or the path of fear. Love is right there to keep us safe and free, but we so often ignore it and choose to walk in fear. From that moment on, I chose to walk on the path of love.

The comment that impacted me was when my pastor pointed out the other day that Jesus often said, “Take courage!” (Matthew 14:27, Mark 6:50, and so many more times.) My pastor, Steve Gaines, emphasized that we have to take courage. He said, “Take it! Pick it up! It’s right there for you to take!” It’s a choice.

Both of these instances made me realize I don’t have to sit there, overwhelmed in fear! I’m not a victim. I am a victor! I can choose the path of love! I can choose to “take courage” and trust the Lord! After all, He is faithful. He is sovereign. I have nothing to fear. My Father rules the universe!

Fear is a choice. Choose courage. Choose faith. Choose love.