No more fear!

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (fear), but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline (sound mind)."  2 Timothy 1:7

I hit my breaking point with fear on Palm Sunday weekend.  I was overcome and overwhelmed by choking, irrational fears.  I wouldn't wish that feeling on anyone!  I knew that I had to deal with fear once and for all.  As I prayed, God showed me that fear has been a constant companion in my life.  It was like a cloak that covered my entire being (think Jedi type).  My words had given power to fear as I would claim "I am just so fearful" or "I am used to responding to things with fear".  I knew how to function with the cloak of fear on my back...I've been doing it my whole life...but I reached the point that I didn't want to wear that stinkin' cloak anymore! 

God revealed so much to me that weekend about myself and my fear habit.  I saw that I had been living like fear had power over me and I needed to live like fear is under my feet.  God showed me that He could rip the cloak of fear in two just like He tore the temple veil when Jesus was crucified.  The hard part is choosing to live with fear under my feet every minute of every day.  I'm in the habit of responding to certain situations in fear, but I have to learn a new and better way.  When I feel fear trying to cover me up again, I remind myself that God gave me a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.  And sometimes, I actually stomp on the floor like I'm stomping on that old cloak laying there.  I have to choose to leave that fear laying on the ground and walk away from it instead of  picking it up and putting it on again. 

God is changing the way that I think and respond.  My part is to choose every minute to leave fear behind and walk in God's power, love, and self-discipline.  Is it a battle?  Absolutely, but one that is worth fighting and one that will end in victory!