Faith over Fear

It’s a new month and honestly, I’m not sure if I should be scared or glad anymore. Anyone feel me on this?!?! Between school reopening guideline rumors, Sahara dust mummies, “murder” hornets, which by the way, a wasp freakin stung me in the butt this week — like through my pants and underwear, I was just minding my own business in the driveway! Then, like 15 minutes later, one flew by and stung Brenham in the back! Out of nowhere like a freakin gang initiation or something! I’ve only ever been stung one other time in my life and it was by a wasp and was literally on my butt, same side! What in the actual world is 2020 doing?!?!

Does anyone even remember March — when we could hug people and go places? When division and fear were not at the forefront of our country. I try not to let the news and media consume my head because deciphering fact from fiction seems impossible these days. Trying to figure out what you should or should not do is overwhelming, but what’s right for one person may not be right for another. It looks different for everyone and every family. But remembering our actions have consequences for other people is a key part of living in a community, as one body if you will. As a parent of a child with special needs, the concept of taking extra precautions is not new. It’s been a part of our daily life for almost 10 years. We are used to making decisions based on how it effects our son’s health at all times. From going out to eat, or just going outside for that matter, to traveling, there are so many factors that play a role in how we function as a family. I’d be lying if I said I wish it was different at times, but it’s not, and as lonely as it can feel, we know we are not alone. More importantly, we can not let our fear of something happening stop us from living our lives. So in the midst of a global pandemic, when emotions are heightened and our fear seems to entrap us, I find myself again taking a step back and looking at the truth — the truth about what God says about fear, worry, anxiety.

“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”

‭‭– Matthew‬ ‭6:26-27‬ ‭

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

— 2 Timothy‬ ‭1:6-7‬ ‭

I love these reminders. Who can add a single hour to their life by worrying? When in fact we are doing the exact opposite and wasting the time we have been given — talk about a reality check. Turn our fear into faith by finding purpose in the pain. Use that energy to turn our trials into a testimony for good. And when our feelings are fighting with truth, remind yourself again, God gave you a spirit of POWER, LOVE and SELF CONTROL. Use it to be productive, to be the good.

So here’s to moving forward, one day at a time, trying to find balance in our hearts for ourselves, our family, our friends and our country. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” — John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭