No Fear...
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Memory Scripture: "I sought the Lord and He answered me, He delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4
Every morning I wake up, and often it feels like groundhog day. Another day, same routine. Again and again.
Can you relate?
I know it is a little different for all of us, some working from home, homeschooling, etc.
Others, leaving their homes to go to work, like my husband.
As I was walking yesterday, easily getting my 10,000 steps these days, I felt a familiar feeling.
I remembered walking with my newborn in our neighborhood, he was freshly 3 weeks old. I would stroll up and down the quiet street envisioning his future. The days were long, but so sweet and quiet. The year was 2001.
This is the feeling I felt when I was walking yesterday. This peaceful quiet, even among the unrest of the world and the unknown, this unshakable and undeniable peace.
One day, after one of my morning strolls with my newborn son, I came back home and the world changed in the blink of an eye.
September 11th, 2001.
My peaceful life turned fearful. Anxiety came upon me and suffocated my lungs.
From that moment on, life seemed like it had two parts. Before 9/11, and after 9/11.
Many days, I wondered if the world would ever be the same. Would my life ever be the same?
I just had this precious baby, and now this?
Almost 19 years later, I can look back and see that life did get better.
Things slowly got back to normal, and the fear eventually faded.
Those were some of the hardest days of my life. Panic, fear, doctors appointments upon therapy appointments to figure out why I could not sleep or breathe.
Anxiety feels like suffocation. I relate it to the "deadly pestilence" described in Psalm 91.
If you are feeling this, pray Psalm 91 over and over. Memorize it. Sleep on it. I have a friend who makes pillow cases with scripture on them. I lay my head down every night on Psalm 91.
(I cannot think of a better gift to give someone right now..check out Renee's shop and her blog!)
19 years later, I have learned the secret to Peace. God's Word.
I have a small CD player that plays God's Word in my home all day long. It is always humming in the background.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
Today, I am thankful for that time of suffering. It drew me to the heart of Jesus and to His Word. I have never turned back.
Friend, life will get better. His Word says there is nothing new under the sun.
In the meantime, what can we do during the pause? The stillness?
Read His Word. Pray. Memorize scripture. Encourage others around you.
I learned that fear came when I was self-absorbed and filling my mind with the world and its truths.
God's ways and His thoughts are higher. We must fill up on His Truth.
Several times over the past couple of weeks, I have wanted to call wise friends and ask them what will happen at the end of this. I have wanted to get their thoughts and wisdom. I was desperate for answers.
Yet, every time, before I pick up the phone, I hear a whisper in my soul..."You can ask Me, Jill."
So often and so many times we want the world to answer our deepest questions and concerns. Those answers can be found in God's Word.
Every. Single. One.
Want peace? Read God's Word. Meditate on it.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies. Jeremiah 15:16
We began a new reading plan back in January. We are reading through a bible called, The Daily Walk Bible. You can find it here.
**It would be an honor for me to purchase one for one of you! If you would like this Bible for you or for a friend, I will draw a name on Friday.
You can email me at shinegirlsshine@gmail.com if you would like to be entered!
Our Memory Scripture for this week: I sought the Lord and He answered me, He delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
Let's continue to seek Him daily in His Word and in this season of pause. There will be much fruit and much peace as we draw near.
no more fear,
jill
Subscribe to SHINE emails: Go here.
Memory Scripture: "I sought the Lord and He answered me, He delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4
Every morning I wake up, and often it feels like groundhog day. Another day, same routine. Again and again.
Can you relate?
I know it is a little different for all of us, some working from home, homeschooling, etc.
Others, leaving their homes to go to work, like my husband.
As I was walking yesterday, easily getting my 10,000 steps these days, I felt a familiar feeling.
I remembered walking with my newborn in our neighborhood, he was freshly 3 weeks old. I would stroll up and down the quiet street envisioning his future. The days were long, but so sweet and quiet. The year was 2001.
This is the feeling I felt when I was walking yesterday. This peaceful quiet, even among the unrest of the world and the unknown, this unshakable and undeniable peace.
One day, after one of my morning strolls with my newborn son, I came back home and the world changed in the blink of an eye.
September 11th, 2001.
My peaceful life turned fearful. Anxiety came upon me and suffocated my lungs.
From that moment on, life seemed like it had two parts. Before 9/11, and after 9/11.
Many days, I wondered if the world would ever be the same. Would my life ever be the same?
I just had this precious baby, and now this?
Almost 19 years later, I can look back and see that life did get better.
Things slowly got back to normal, and the fear eventually faded.
Those were some of the hardest days of my life. Panic, fear, doctors appointments upon therapy appointments to figure out why I could not sleep or breathe.
Anxiety feels like suffocation. I relate it to the "deadly pestilence" described in Psalm 91.
If you are feeling this, pray Psalm 91 over and over. Memorize it. Sleep on it. I have a friend who makes pillow cases with scripture on them. I lay my head down every night on Psalm 91.
(I cannot think of a better gift to give someone right now..check out Renee's shop and her blog!)
19 years later, I have learned the secret to Peace. God's Word.
I have a small CD player that plays God's Word in my home all day long. It is always humming in the background.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105
Today, I am thankful for that time of suffering. It drew me to the heart of Jesus and to His Word. I have never turned back.
Friend, life will get better. His Word says there is nothing new under the sun.
In the meantime, what can we do during the pause? The stillness?
Read His Word. Pray. Memorize scripture. Encourage others around you.
I learned that fear came when I was self-absorbed and filling my mind with the world and its truths.
God's ways and His thoughts are higher. We must fill up on His Truth.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
9
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
Several times over the past couple of weeks, I have wanted to call wise friends and ask them what will happen at the end of this. I have wanted to get their thoughts and wisdom. I was desperate for answers.
Yet, every time, before I pick up the phone, I hear a whisper in my soul..."You can ask Me, Jill."
So often and so many times we want the world to answer our deepest questions and concerns. Those answers can be found in God's Word.
Every. Single. One.
Want peace? Read God's Word. Meditate on it.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies. Jeremiah 15:16
We began a new reading plan back in January. We are reading through a bible called, The Daily Walk Bible. You can find it here.
**It would be an honor for me to purchase one for one of you! If you would like this Bible for you or for a friend, I will draw a name on Friday.
You can email me at shinegirlsshine@gmail.com if you would like to be entered!
Our Memory Scripture for this week: I sought the Lord and He answered me, He delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:4
Let's continue to seek Him daily in His Word and in this season of pause. There will be much fruit and much peace as we draw near.
no more fear,
jill
