Let me just begin this post by saying that if you have an Esther study beginning anywhere near you, you need to RUN to sign up for it, because this study is the most awesome study for women that I have ever been a part of. Every week's lesson has spoken directly to me and this past week was no exception. I'm not sure if it was even necessary for all the other ladies in my class to even be there this week, because I am convinced this lesson was meant solely for me!
God so clearly showed me this week that I have been living my life in the "tight fist of fear" for TOO LONG! Whatever that thing is that is my greatest fear, the enemy knows exactly what that is, and he continues to threaten me over and over and over again with it.
Let me just confess to you that I am the "Queen of What If".
"What if" someone that I love very dearly is taken from me unexpectedly?
"What if" we suffer a complete financial reversal in this economy and lose our home and everything we own?
"What if" my husband falls in love with a younger woman and leaves me to grow old alone?
"What if" I receive a diagnosis of terminal cancer and I have to leave my family?
God has shown me through this week's lesson that: "What If" = "I fear". Don't think for a minute that the enemy is not aware of the very things that I am most fearful of. He knows EXACTLY what they are and takes great delight in tormenting me with them. The lesson this week pointed out that we can be in such a stronghold of fear (and in particular the fear of death) that we never really live!
God wants to do a work in my life! I know that He is calling me to a life of courage. He is calling me to be brave! I can never know the abundant life as long as I stay in the grip of fear of death. Listen to this verse that Beth Moore shared with us this week:
"By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil's hold on death and freed all who cower through life,
scared to death of death."
Hebrews 2:14-15 The Message
Christ destroyed the Devil's hold on death and He freed us so that we no longer have to cower down --scared to death of death! We can be freed to live because we already WERE dead!
"When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ."
Colossians 2:13
Death is NOT our final destination. As Beth reminded us this week, the only thing that we have to do in death is just trade this body in for a new one! (And I don't know about you, but I am pretty excited about that!)
So God is telling us to TAKE COURAGE! Whatever this life throws at us, no matter how fearful it may be, God will ALWAYS offer us His courage! We only have to reach out and "take it" from Him!
What about you, my sweet friend?
What is it that you are most fearful of?
What is your "What If"?
Lay it at the feet of Jesus today and let's be mighty women of valor! Courageous women! Brave women! Because whatever happens to us, we have to rest in the fact that "my God will take care of me"!
Fear not!
