The Opposite of Fear

“Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not be afraid for I am your God.
I will strengthen you; yes, I will help you.
I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 KJV

What is the opposite of fear?

I have walked in fear these past several months. First, when I found out we were having a granddaughter because after raising 5 sons and having 2 grandsons, this was new, and I knew that I could not protect her from abuse. A girl seemed too vulnerable to me. Second, after my Mom died and Dad became violent, I feared confrontation and the past rose up with flashbacks and fear.

How did I get through this? And I am. I am at peace. I exercised in a deeper dimension the thing that is the opposite of fear. Trust. God led me to Psalm 40. And I wept and surrendered to His way.

I waited intently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry,.
He brought me up our of the miry pit of destruction, out of the miry clay,
And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.

How blessed is the man who has made the Lord his trust…

Many, O Lord, my God, are the wonders which You have done,
And Your thoughts toward us;
There is none to compare with You.
If I would declare and speak of them,
They would be too numerous to count.

You, O Lord, will not withhold Your compassion from me;
Your lovingkindness and Your truth will continually preserve me.
For evils beyond number have surrounded me…
Psalm 40:1-2, 4, 5, 11-12

I sought counsel from Godly advisors. God used these people to point out truth to me according to His word. Thank you, Tracy, Ellen, and Bill. I sought out friends who would listen and love me. Thank you Lou, Kathy, Sherri, Laura, Leigh, JoAnne, and Hope. My family supported me: Thank you sweet sons and daughters-in-law.

And I chose to trust God. How does one do that? First, I have read the Word of God and know His track record there and in my life. I have read biographies of Godly men and women and see His track record in their lives. Secondly, I prayed and asked God to take these anxious thoughts from me and He promised me He would. (Psalm 94:19 – “When my anxious thoughts multiply within me; Your consolations delight my soul.”) Thirdly, I choose to believe that God is present and able and willing to help me to walk with grace and faith each step of the way. He doesn’t always show us what’s coming, but He promises to be there with us through it. And that is enough. And lastly, I know that He promises to work all things to the good for my life and my eternity. If something happens to my granddaughter, then God will bring healing and draw her to Himself. If more violence occurs with my Dad, God will humble Him and I pray that He will draw him closer to Himself. For now I will pray daily and I do have a step plan of how to handle certain situations. This is a humbling process – knowing that I have no control over the evil of others or ability to protect those that I love. But that humility sent me into the arms of God. He is able!

When anxious thoughts assail me, I pray. When I get overwhelmed, I pray. God is there. He hears my prayers and lifts me out of the miry pit.

Thank you,
Jesus!