Living in Fear?

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

Jogging past the site of the Rental Truck Terror Attack on Halloween in Manhattan, I couldn’t help but shed a tear.

The flowers, piled high in memorial of the lives lost just last week, offered a constant reminder of the horror that befell those innocent lives and their loved ones.


Sadly, our country is not shocked by such violence anymore. I mean, not even a full week had gone by before another tragedy rocked our nation, this time, in Texas.

This type of narrative happens so often, I sometimes wonder if people have started to become numb to such horrific news.

Seeing the mourners pay their respects on the bike path in lower Manhattan, I was struck by how eerily low the number of runners and bikers were.  The once bustling foot and bike traffic, now stagnant, with almost a palpable absence.

Have we crossed the threshold? Have we succumbed to living in fear?

It seems like in recent history, our sense of security has been attacked. It all started September 11, when we first began fearing airplane travel. Followed by the fear of receiving an anthrax-laced letter in the mail. Since then, we can’t go to concerts or music festivals, drop our children off at school, run in marathons, go to the movie theater, enjoy a scenic bike ride, and now, go to church, without being wracked with fear and anxiety. Not to mention the ever-present fear of a nuclear attack, or a cataclysmic California earthquake.

It’s not just a fear-mongering media. These events are actually taking place. The threat is real.

So how do we not succumb to a life crippled by fear?

Because, I’m going to be honest, things seem pretty bleak right now. And frankly, if I didn’t know better, I’d be inclined to think that all of our prayers and petitions were falling on deaf Ears.

I feel as though I’ve spent more than my fair share of time grappling with fear in my lifetime. Having battled a life threatening eating disorder, and then a debilitating auto-immune disease, fear is no stranger in my life.

 

And there were definitely days where there was no hope. Going to bed just meant waking up 8 hours later to the same pain and defeat of the day before.

But here’s the thing I learned about fear.

You can’t cling to God if you’re clinging to fear.

I’m going to say that again.

You can’t cling to God if you’re clinging to fear.

We only have two hands. And if they’re clenched tight in fear and anxiety, then they cannot reach for the Hand of the One who is there to rescue us.

There is nothing scarier than letting go. Relinquishing control, especially for Type A personalities like myself, is a painfully difficult task. Requiring trust. Faith. And a whole lot of courage.

We are not called to be timid and afraid.

God did not create us to mope around, cowering in fear, missing out on life because we’re frightened of any and all potential danger.

Because a life lived in fear is a life that is severely limited.

And living a limited life is like rejecting Jesus’ gift on the Cross — the gift that shattered all limits.

We have been given a life that is limitless. Who are we to self-impose new limits? Based on fear? What is that about?

2 Tim 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidly, but of power, love and a sound mind.”

I believe it was FDR who said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” And even though he wasn’t living in 2017, amid the horrifying 24-hour news cycle, I think he was right on the money.

Now is not the time to live in fear.

Now is the time to live as an example of the courage and peace He brings. To live as a witness of faith in God’s ultimate goodness, even in a world that is not.

The story isn’t over.

The narrative isn’t finished.

Perhaps the waves are just crashing harder now, in anticipation of Jesus’ calming hand.

***Thank you to everyone who has ordered my books, Bloom: A Journal by BeautyBeyondBones and “My Blogging Tips“***

Click here to order your copy!

img_5109

________________________________________________________________
Stay Connected!

@beauty.beyond.bones – Instagram

Facebook

Twitter

YouTube

A big thank you to my sponsor, BetterHelp Online Therapy.  Speak with an online therapist. Or check out content about eating disorders from BetterHelp.

Next time you’re shopping on Amazon, be sure to use my link! Doing so is absolutely FREE for you, and a great way to support this blog!

patreon

For Podcast versions of my posts, please check out Patreon! You make this blog possible 🙂

Published by

Unknown's avatar

beautybeyondbones

BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

229 thoughts on “Living in Fear?”

  2. Good insight in response to living in fear. I’m sad that my grandchildren (and adult children) are living in a time where real threat of evil has escalated. And at the same time, they have the opportunity to see God’s power dethrone the evil of our day, and to join Him by living lives that point others to Jesus, our true Prince of Peace. 2 Peter 1:3-11, 3:1-18, gives us wise instruction in how we (Christ followers) “ought’ to live in these days. Praying that you will stay close to Jesus, and allow His Spirit to fill and guide your every step.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. Thanks, your words are a positive reminder of where hope comes from and how fear is only meant to be directed in one direction and that is in the awesomeness of God. That may seem an odd statement, but if it were not for Christ we could not know the glory and grace that God has poured upon us in great abundance. In Luther’s Small Catechism we are called to “fear and love God” in many iterations. Our trust is and should always be placed squarely in God.

    Liked by 1 person

  4. You are so right! We cannot allow a spirit of fear to control us because God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Amen The reason so much violence is happening in our world right now is because we are living in the last of the last days. The Bible says that men’s hearts would fail them because of the things coming on the earth. We are getting closer and closer to the coming of the Lord. We just have to hang in there and not give in to a spirit of fear.

    Liked by 2 people

  5. A beautiful and biblical response. Trials to come may indeed be severe, even more so than now. And that should drive us to cling closer to Christ as the days approach. To our knees we must go to gather strength and hope in Him.
    Blessings in Jesus to you.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. To be transparent, the fearfulness of my flesh is still an on and off again occurrence in my life.

    However, I thank Abba Father and Jesus for the gift of the Holy Spirit (my Teacher and Comforter). I am thankful for the truth—I was not given a spirit of fear (or timidity) in Christ Jesus, but of power and of love and a sound mind.

    The past couple of mornings I’ve awoken and felt a pang of symptom of depression and then Abba’s voice in my heart, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” And. Without hesitation, I immediately said aloud, “The joy of the Lord is my strength.”

    We have to speak ourselves right into the word some days more than others—and aloud so our ears hear the truth audibly.

    We are one with the word which became flesh and is Christ our Lord Jesus.

    For God has not given me (us) a spirit of fear (timidity) but of power and love and discipline (a sound mind)—2 Tim 1:7.

    BBB, this is very much a life verse for me.

    Thank you for believing Jesus and being bold in Him. Eternal love, my lovely sister in Christ 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  7. You shine the brightest light on the most relentless darkness!! That’s what makes you such an angel among us. Life is too short to live in fear, or paranoia. You have to be wise. You can’t walk around wrecklessly or act mindlessly with your purse or wallet ready to be snatched, or identity ready to be stolen online. We have to find strength and faith in God. We aren’t poo-pooing what happened and la-dee-day. We pray and remember those lost, but we also try to not let terrorists drag us down. That’s what they want to do, regardless of what degree of terrorist they are, what country they’re from, or what. Even the ones not labeled “terrorist” are, because they did what they did to garnish attention and fear. We cannot let them be what we put our priority in. Our priority is in our love for God, and each other with the faith that we can keep living to our best the life He gave us. Love, smiles, and hugs every day Angel On Earth!!! xoxoxoxoxo ❤ ❤

    Like

  9. People live in fear because the dynamics of this world is what they call life, not the spirit. I’m not afraid of death because the death that I fear is living deeply attached to this life – I have some attachments, but I look forward to being taken by God and experience eternity. I’m coming to NY for Christmas and look forward to it – no fear. If God takes me while I’m there, then he takes me from my favorite place in the world, so would be a blessing. 😀

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Yes!

    Since perfect love drives out all fear, living in fear is an immediate indication that Father’s identity has been lost–or perhaps was never truly understood. So is your God big enough?

    But also you know… the really good news is our real life is in Christ, so it doesn’t matter what anyone does to this body because this body is not a lasting investment and we will have new ones in the renewal of all things. Likewise, the life this body lives, it’s just a prologue. We’re just a prologue to a greater eternal story and so all this stuff going on around us while earth-shatteringly heartbreaking, is just stuff. It doesn’t put the tiniest blemish on the face of Jesus or the future in Him. And as I understand that more and more, it changes everything I value in this life completely that I might fear for.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Hey Carson! How are ya!? That’s so true – God is bigger than fear. And you’re so right – His love and keep eternity in perspective – it changes everything. thanks for sharing this powerful food for thought. Hugs and love xox

      Like

      1. I’m well thanks! How bout yourself?
        More and more I’m realizing the Christian experience I grew up with was so…below the reality of Jesus, and maybe looks good and right and like the Christian normal but its so cheap compared to the glory of ‘Christ-in-me’… and physical life, possession, hopes, dreams..and fears…it changes everything. I don’t know, I think I may just be rambling now, haha. Anyway…every day is more wonderful than the last with Jesus, that’s all I know (:

        Like

      3. 😁 Haha, sure but it’d be nice if they came out as cognitive thoughts 😂 Anyway. 😆 Happy Wednesday! (I started a new job–or rather got hired full time under a new contractor at one of my already jobs–and now Teusday and Wednesday are my weekend *yey* so it’s not pre-weekend for me anymore 😅) Have a lovely day!

        Like

  12. Ah, you in New York, me in Texas. So much heartbreak…
    Providentially, just before I checked your blog, I’d pulled together some devotional material to present to our ladies’ group (It’s my turn tomorrow). My source is a marvelous devotional site / blog called “First15.” I’m pasting in a couple of excerpts on Peace…
    From 10-22: “Nothing robs God of his peace. Nothing can take it away. Peace is within the very nature of our Creator.”
    More to your point about fearing danger, this from 10-25: “Jesus maintained peace in the Holy Spirit in the midst of those he loved shouting, ‘Crucify him!’”
    And my very favorite, from 10-26: “We serve the Lord of peace. The Holy Spirit who dwells within us is wholly peaceful.” –which raises the question, If God isn’t worried… why should I be?
    Blessings on you, dear lady.

    Like

  13. Super read as usual – thought provoking. When my husband was deployed to Iraq I’d have people ask me all the time if I was afraid of him dying while he was there – my answer after time and thought was “Nope, if it’s his time to die then he will die. Weather it’s here and he slips on soap in the shower or it’s there and he gets hit by an IUD, it’ll be his time.” It gave me a kind of courage for just living LIFE! I don’t test the limits or do dumb things, but I do just live. ❤️❤️❤️

    Like

  14. Thank you. I needed to read this today. I was just telling my husband how helpless I felt about protecting our very small children, especially after Sunday’s shooting in Texas. I don’t want to be afraid to take our children to worship. I don’t want to live in fear.

    Like

  15. I appreciate your blog. I agree thatany people allow fear to block them from fully living. I have missed too much in life because of fear. I am thankful that I have come to a place in life where I am more able to embrace the richness of life. I am glad that you continue to live your life fully out of faith and courage. Through your blog you continue to both challenge and inspire people into fearless compassionate living. Blessings Roland ❤️

    Like

  21. This post is so relevant. Some countries have more violence than others but I think there probably isn’t a place on earth where one’s safety can be guaranteed. I live in South Africa and for many years violence has been the order of the day. Everyone’s house’s have burglar bars or some kind of security system. Depending on where you live it isn’t safe to walk alone. It isn’t safe anywhere to be out at night by yourself. But the beauty is that if we put our faith in God we have nothing to fear. I think the early Christian community who were persecuted were much worse off than us. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

    Like

  22. I have been hearing this a lot more lately, or maybe I heard it a lot before and it didn’t strike me until lately 😉 But every one says how bad we are now, it’s never been this bad. Yet, reading my Bible, we have always been this way 🙂 Have we not? We didn’t even make it past chapter 6 in Genesis(page 9 in my Bible) before God said He looked over the whole earth, our wickedness was great, and that every imagination of the thoughts of man’s heart was only evil continually-Geneisis 6:5. It goes on to say that it grieved God’s heart that He had even made us. Going on to say that the earth was corrupt and full of violence–Genesis 6:9 :):) Have we really changed that much? We didn’t even make it past chapter 6, we were/are so bad. There are 1912 pages in my Bible, we only made it to page 9. We don’t get any better after page 9 either LOL His Word also tells us the world, and men are evil, and corrupt. AND that we are God’s, nothing can pluck us from His Almighty hands. If we turn to Him, seek Him, He can and will put an end to all this but there is the key WE have to do our part. God loves so much He gave us choices. For this world to get better, we have to decide, good or evil.

    Like

  25. Beautifully written from your beautiful heart, Caralyn!

    I pray this often for our Country, cognizant God could have chosen elsewhere for me to live. My responsibility, along with the Bride, is too pray without ceasing.

    if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2Chronicles 7:14.

    Like

  26. That picture of the bridge is epic. I wanna go on that 😀

    I know it’s so sad that this world is cold. I think we all gotta try to bring the love/light of Jesus to them.

    Like

  29. Just beautiful. And speaking of beauty, yours emanates from deep within. We are such kindred spirits~and you are 1000% correct……I lived in fear my entire life until Jesus set me free. Now I live boldly and happily, but the tragedy remains……and it breaks our collective hearts.

    Like

  34. You can’t cling to God if you’re clinging to fear.
    I love that. I’ve posted before about the difference between healthy fear and panic. A certain amount of fear at appropriate times is healthy. It can keep us watchful and aware of our surroundings and in that way protect us. But panic is never good, and what I’ve seen dominate the past two years is not healthy fear but panic, both on the streets and in our public policy. I know it started with 9-11, but we still haven’t learned as a society how to live in watchfulness rather than panic. One thing that makes this country great is that no one is required to believe a certain way. You don’t have to believe in God if that doesn’t make sense to you. However, those of us who say we believe in God need to set an example of how to live watchfully, prayerfully, and joyfully. As you said, faith comes down to letting go of fear so we can cling to God. That’s how you don’t let the terrorists win.

    Like

  36. Great perspective! Really enjoyed this – we can’t be free of fear unless we’re clinging to God. In His perspective, we find our refuge and strength. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

    Like

  38. No fear here. Just a resolve to denounce, emasculate and bind the terrorists, protect the innocent, and encourage the peaceful.

    Like

  39. This was a great post Caralynn! The enemy came to kill, steal, and destroy and one of his favorite weapons is fear. It is something I have struggled with my whole life and it certainly has taken my power away. When I keep my eyes on God I have nothing to fear and I can live in His peace, joy, strength and power. Thank you for this great reminder!

    Like

  40. Thank you for your words. I used the exact same scripture about fear in my own blog post yesterday so it really popped out for me. I appreciate the reminder that the script is still being written and that I can’t cling to God while still clinging to my fears/anxieties. ❤

    Like

  41. I agree with you that I am not shocked by terrorism in our country but I am angry about it. I am 60 years old and have seen trouble and terror growing little by little over the years. It doesn’t need to be this way. There is no sin in protecting our borders and vetting the people who enter our country. We don’t have an immigration policy to be nice guys to the world but use it to improve the condition of our own state. My parents, after world war two, lived in a Displaced Persons camp in Germany for 6 years before being sponsored by the Lutheran Church in America. There was no promise they could come to America but only by the grace of God He pushed the right people to sign the right paper and stamp the right form to allow Pete and Magdalena to board a steamship with my brother, Rob, and come to America through New Orleans to Oklahoma and finally in Indianapolis.

    You can’t always tell who is going to go nuts and kill several people with a gun, truck or knife but it is the government’s duty to protect its citizens by having eyes and ears open for those who wish us harm. God, giving us government, shows His love for us. Through government, He gives us the opportunity to elect leaders who will see that laws are passed via the Congress, the Supreme Court if need be will assure us those laws are just, and the President sees that those laws are enforced fairly throughout the nation. Because the government is run by humans it is impossible for it to be run without sin. We can help the government by being responsible for our own actions.

    Keep writing your nice blog, at least until you get married. : )

    Like

    1. Hi friend, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this issue and for sharing your story. What an incredible life your parents loved. Yes, let’s be responsible for our own actions indeed. Hugs and love xox

      Like

      1. Thanks. My parents were from Latvia. My father fought for Latvia against the Russians until he was forced on a boat to Germany where he was run over by a truck, captured by the British, sent to a hospital and spent the remainder of the war in a British PoW camp. My mother was a refugee walking from Latvia, escaping the Russians, through Germany. She was one day out of Dresden on foot before the Allies bombed Dresden to the ground. She could see the flames of the city for days and days. They were glad for the relative quiet of a steady life in America. Whew!
        Thx again and peace with every step you take.

        Like

      1. You’re welcome in order to be effective though it needs to be practised rather than be just a perspective that way fear or in fact any other negative emotion is transmuted.

        Like

Join the Conversation!