let's talk about fear.

fear  verb\ˈfir\

: to be afraid of (something or someone)

: to expect or worry about (something bad or unpleasant)

: to be afraid and worried

sounds pretty accurate.

even just saying the word provokes feeling.. but not in romantic and inspiring way. 

quickened pulse, sweaty palms, restraint, denail, retreat, paralysis. you know it. we've all felt it. 

there is a healthy fear that comes when we need to kick our defenses into full-gear (ain't nobody tryna get mugged in a dark ally...) sometimes we need to channel our inner G and move quickly from fear to jackie chan. but this is not the fear I'm talking about.

fear is something that can be small and fleeting, but let's be honest. that's usually not the case.

for most people (myself especially included) fear is something that can be all consuming. often starting with one anxiety provoking thought and spiraling into a domino crashing catastrophe of anxiety. ok dramatic, but yes, we know it too well. fear is what stopped me from posting these months ago when I originally wanted to start this blog.

I was a little too excited about my free people circle shirt. I still kind of am....

here's some truth about our frienemy, fear.

for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:17

be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:4

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 

1 John 4:18

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 

Joshua 1:9

amazing. I could actually go on for a while with what the Lord promises us in relation to fear. how encouraging is it to know that fear is not something that comes from God, but from the enemy. satan is prowling like a lion (1 Peter 5:8) and does not want to see us using our God given talents to glorify God. so we get the fear. and when we trust it to God, he handles it. He is the one who brings peace. strength. boldness. confidence. rest. yes, we can have freedom from fear. I praise God for bringing me to that freedom and starting this blog. my sister actually found my blog today (she didn't know about it because our frienemy FEAR kept me from sharing) and God used her to encourage and affirm me. I feel so foolish for letting fears hold me back for years from embarking on this endeavor.

this SURE doesn't apply to everything, but friends, believe me when I say that what you are afraid of is often the very thing that you need to pursue. WHOLEheartedly. 

what has fear been holding you back from?


ps, follow my instagram to see what's been goin on:)