Five Things I Can Do Instead Of Fear
Five Things I Can Do Instead Of Fear
The tightness in my chest came first. It slowly inched its way from the center of my core and made its way up to my breathing. In and out. I could count the breaths because that’s all I heard. My husband’s breathing next to me disappeared as the tears began to pool in the corner of my eyes.
Under the covers, I could feel my legs but couldn’t move them. The physical darkness of my bedroom suffocated me and I lost count of the air going in and out. I didn’t know if I was breathing. I closed my eyes, my soul consumed by fear.
My husband grabbed my hand and squeezed it twice, which was our secret code to tell me he loved me. I wanted to squeeze his hand back, but drew it away. I rolled over, still unable to sob, but the tears silently trickled down my face and wet my pillow. I lay in the dark, afraid and feeling so alone. I decided it was safe here. Pulling away from him was an easy thing to do. I didn’t want him to be burned by the fire inside of me.
It was safe in this place of darkness. When I thought about opening up and telling my thoughts, I knew the fear would overwhelm me. And I didn’t want to face it. After all, I could survive wrapped around myself and not let anyone in, right?
My hand felt numb, my heart felt empty. I just wanted to sleep. I was so tired, but fear wouldn’t let me sleep. It was a burning fire, deep inside. And even though I tried desperately to ignore the paralyzing effects, I couldn’t.
Relax, I whispered to myself…..Fear. It grips my soul and keeps me captive. In Psalm 37, God has shown me five things I can choose instead of fear. Just for today, I can choose these five things.
I can choose to…
1. Be calm. (Psalm 37:7, Psalm 46:10). Stillness is a sign of strength. Knowing God will come through for us.
2. Be certain. (Psalm 387:8, Proverbs 24:19) Don’t worry.
3. Be constrained. (Psalm 37:11, Matthew 5:5). Be meek.
4. Be content. (Psalm 37:16, Psalm 90:14). Be satisfied.
5. Be courageous. (Psalm 27:14, Joshua 1:9). In the middle of all of our fears, God provides the courage to wait. The courage to make the right choices.
Just for today. Don’t worry, or be anxious about seeing this thing through – whatever is keeping you tired and tied down. The burden isn’t only on you. It is on Him too. God promises. The first thing we do is roll the burdens back onto Him.
“We must distinguish between the burden-bearing that is right and the burden-bearing that is wrong. We ought never to bear the burden of sin or doubt, but there are burdens placed on us by God which He does not intend to lift off, He wants us to roll them back on Him. (Psalm 55:22)” – Chambers
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