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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: SHOP (01/03/19)
I bought the "One Year Bible" several years ago with the intention of, you know, reading it in one year. Unfortunately, I didn't achieve my goal. But from the first verse I started counting how many times the Bible tells us not to be afraid. The number reached well into the hundreds before I was even a third of the way through.

Every time an angel appeared with a message for someone, the angel's first words were inevitably "fear not." Understandably! If an angelic being suddenly appeared in front of me, I doubt a "fear not" would be enough to stop the screaming.

God knew what scaredy-cats we were going to be and how fear would be used to immobilize us and make us buy all sorts of things we don't need.

About 30 some years ago I was walking through the "aisles of beauty" at Macy's. The Estee Lauder counter had some kind of machine you could look into to that supposedly revealed what you'd look like in 25 years. I couldn't resist looking into it and was justifiably horrified at the image looking back at me. Though it was frightening, it didn't scare me enough to stay out of the sun (or buy the age defying product they were hawking). Consequently, the multi-spotted, severely sleep deprived image I saw that day is pretty much what I see in the mirror today.

There are literally hundreds of phobias. I used to question the very faith of those who are afraid of flying. To be fair, most would say it's not the flying they are afraid of but rather the crashing. Don't these people realize they're not in control? That when their time comes it doesn't really matter where they are, or how they chose to get there?

But when I think of my own irrational fears--my fear of mice is way beyond the pale-- I humbly realize all of our fears involve some degree of faithlessness.

In spite of all God's assurances, I still experience anxiety attacks and needlessly worry and fret about things I have zero control over. Another oft repeated command tells us what to set our hearts and minds on, and it isn't on this present, flawed world--it's on Him.

The crux of my anxiety stems from looking at my future without Him in it, which is obviously impossible. Jesus' last words before he descended back into Heaven were that He would never leave us or forsake us...even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)

One of my mom's most oft repeated phrases was, "The Lord knows all about it." It's only now that I recognize how truly profound and comforting those words are. When anxious thoughts start to overwhelm me, I whisper my mom's words back to myself and it’s almost like she’s still her here with me, reminding me I'm never alone--I can fearlessly rest in His everlasting arms.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Claudia Barrington
01/11/19
Gret work here. So many people have anxiety attacks. You show them how to overcome! I used to have them, a long time ago, but the Lord completely delivered me from them. Prasie God one day there will be no more fear.

And about the "fear of seeing an angel." Well, a few months ago I told the Lord that many people see angels, and I reminded Him that His Word says that he is no respecter of persons, and that I'd like to see one. One night a month or so later, I was sitting alone and reading His Word, and I saw something strange in the room where I sat, and as I focused on it, it got brighter and brighter and seemed to be moving towards me. "Ahhhhhhh! Ok Lord, Ok! It's fine! I don't need to see one", I said to Him. It was terrifying! Lol! So I can relate to what you have writtten about angels! I don't need to see one unless the Lord decides I do. Thanks for such an encouraging and comforting post. God bless you!
Claudia Barrington
01/11/19
*Great
C D Swanson 
01/11/19
Wow! I loved your honest and straight to the heart entry, you bared your soul about fear, most people would never admit theirs.

We are after all, human and that's why we have God to help us in these moments of "fear."

I especially loved this part:
<I>"One of my mom's most oft repeated phrases was, "The Lord knows all about it." It's only now that I recognize how truly profound and comforting those words are. When anxious thoughts start to overwhelm me, I whisper my mom's words back to myself and it’s almost like she’s still her here with me, reminding me I'm never alone--I can fearlessly rest in His everlasting arms." </I>

Wow! I loved your whole entry...Thank you for sharing!

God bless you~
Barbara Culler 
01/12/19
I chuckled at your opening line about reading the Bible in a year. I'm not sure where the topic of shop came in, other than the visit to Macy's. Maybe your whole story could have developed around that future you concept. I love your chatty tone to the story.
Jennifer Woodley 
01/12/19
This story is one that offers insight into the world of our fears and was well written in an easy engaging way. Not sure though that it had the topic of shop clearly and convincingly woven through it. Keep writing!