Having fears of different things is real. Don’t let anyone fool you. Just because we love Jesus and trust in His power to protect us never means that we don’t have fears we have to face with Him to overcome. If you have been reading my blogs, I talked about some of my fears…remember the story of the lizard. Below is a short excerpt from my blog JESUS OUR RESCUER FROM OUR FEARS

 

 

Over 30 years, I ran and hid from lizards and snakes most of my life. Today, I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt, I am not afraid of lizards or snakes. I feel you may have something or someone that makes you afraid as well. My fear of lizards began in 1985 when we lived in Pensacola, Florida. One day while visiting my husband, I was finishing up my tour of duty in the Air Force, stationed in Texas, Tony had moved into a quaint little apartment in Pensacola. I remember my first encounter with those critters. Tony’s apartment was over the garage of a friend’s home.  He carried my luggage upstairs to the apartment as I followed. As I reached the bottom of the stairs, a brown beady-eyed lizard looked at me and asked, “Where do you think you are going, missy?” He continued, “I know him but who are you?” I stood there startled as I watched this little critter looking at me and not batting an eye; he looked like an alligator. I thought about dismissing and casting him to the side until three or four of his friends came to his aid and guarded the stairs so I couldn’t climb them. That’s when those little critters became giants in my mind and I screamed out to Tony for help. Tony heard my cry and came to my rescue, but I dared not to move or think of going up those stairs with him. Tony being my hero, said one word, “Move!” and the three or four of them ran for cover. Lizards and I have had several mishaps over the years and they always won. I remember in Arizona, there were hundreds of geckoes running around outside our home.  One day, I saw one on the fence and screamed to the Lord, “Jesus, Jesus, save me!” Jesus replied, “He is outside on the fence, close the blinds.” “Oh, okay, good idea,” I said to the Lord. I have to tell you, those little critters have haunted me throughout my life. In our counseling office in Texas, one stood knocking his head against the glass, taunting me to get my attention. I said to Sheila, “Help! Get the broom, go get him, Sheila!” I felt he was also outside waiting for me to get into my car. I have told Jesus my fear of them, prayed to Him, but never from my heart; only out of ‘fear’ did I give them to Him, until March 17, 2017. In my Del Webb community in Ponte Vedra, Florida, lizards are everywhere. My home backs up to an amazing serene waterway and the back and front yards are covered with lizards of various colors and sizes. What brought my fears to their climax was when a black snake got into the garage. I ran to my neighbors next door for help. My neighbor and his wife came over with a broom to rescue me, however, the snake remained to hide behind the boxes. After about 20 minutes, the snake was tired of playing tag and went into the bushes by the front door; then a lizard jumped out on the sidewalk! Do you see the dilemma? I can’t go out the front door without fearing I will meet either a snake or lizard. What do I do? I can’t go through the garage every day or can I? Man, I had a problem, or did I? That night, I dreamed that someone was trying to break into the house and were peeking at me through the window. When I woke up, I talked to the Lord concerning my dream and He said to me, “My love, it is fear, give your fears to me; let me handle them for you.”  And, I did; I journaled these words at 1:30 am that morning. Jesus, my fear of lizards and snakes, I surrender again to you. My heart is your home and MAY YOUR LOVE FILL EVERY ROOM OF MY HEART. THERE IS NO FEAR INSIDE OF ME KNOWING YOU LOVE ME AND WILL PROTECT ME. AMEN.

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We are all dealing with the COVID-19 virus. We are naturally fearful and cautious. However, we must be careful not to allow the virus to become a phobia. When our fears become overwhelming or distressing to us, affect our day-to-day lives, and keep us from doing the things we enjoy, they become phobias. Fear and phobias are very similar except a phobia is a fear with avoidance. We avoid certain situations or people so we will not have to deal with our fear. My fear of lizards and snakes was becoming a phobia until I gave it to the Lord. As you recall, I was not going out the front door anymore. I was choosing to live in bondage rather than face my fears. JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS CONQUERED ALL OF OUR FEARS; WE CAN GIVE ALL OF THEM TO HIM WITH ASSURANCE, HE BECOMES OUR COURAGE AND STRENGTH TO MEET EACH FEAR!

 

 I Peter 5:7 – Cast (means to throw them upon him like a fisherman throws his net out to gather fish) your fears, worries, anxieties upon Him, (why you may ask) because He cares so much for you!

 

 

Psalm 55:22 – Cast your burden on the Lord [release it] and He will sustain and uphold you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken (slip, fall, fail).

 

 

During this time when we are facing COVID19… Faith says, “Yes Lord, I will trust You to keep me and protect me. I cast all of my fears and anxieties on you… I will not carry them myself. I will be diligent to wear my mask, wash my hands, and keep the safe distance as required. And, I will enjoy my family, friends, and activities using safe means as you lead and direct me. AMEN”

 

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Enjoy Him and Enjoy Life!