Fear is a Bully (plus a bonus video)
// OK, so can I be honest? This word—SAFE—has been much harder to write about than I expected.
Not because I don’t also desire with all my heart to be safe, stay safe, and keep my kids safe, but for a long time, safety was my god.
I mean, SAFETY was my god!
I’m ashamed to actually write that; it looks even more stupid written in black and white. How can a mature, intelligent woman of God even admit that?
But it’s true. I didn’t want to do ANYTHING that would put us in danger… even if it was God doing the asking. “Move to South Africa? Are you crazy?”
Why was I so desperate to live a small, SAFE existence? It’s simple…
F E A R
That’s why. Fear was my constant companion and daily tormentor.
- Fear that one of my children would get hurt, or kidnapped, or killed.
- Fear of a car crash, plane crash, or swimming accident.
- Fear of spiders, snakes, sharks, or robbers.
- Fear that the economy would collapse and leave us financially ruined.
- Fear that cancer would knock on our door and take one of us away.
- Fear of loneliness.
- Fear of burnout.
- Or worse yet, fear of insignificance.
But the truth is… I had fear because I didn’t REALLY understand WHO I WAS or WHO MY FATHER WAS.
1 John 4:18 says,
Perfect Love Casts Out All Fear.
What does that mean? Well, I think it means that ‘perfect love casts out all fear.’ (duhhh)//
When we truly understand how kind and generous, strong and powerful God is, the ‘little’ things we fear lose their grip on our minds and hearts.
When a child understands that their dad is WAAAAAAY bigger than the bully down the street, they lose their fear of that bully.
Yes, Fear is a bully.
Fear was my bully, but fear has been gradually losing its grip on my life a little bit each day for the last ten years.
Because when the bigness of my God overwhelms the fearful thoughts in my mind, then I can truly understand that
IN HIM, I AM COMPLETELY SAFE
Fear is a bully, but our Father is bigger than that bully. And in HIM, we are perfectly SAFE! Click To Tweet————————-♥————————-
All morning, as I’ve been meditating on this word ‘Safe,’ and wondering why it’s so difficult to organize my thoughts about it, the lyrics from the song “Oceans” have been playing over and over through my mind.
Sing the bridge with me…
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the water
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Saviour
Enjoy! (my favourite part is around 5:10 mark)
Only in this place of His Presence will we find ourselves perfectly SAFE!
Thank You, Father!
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Every Friday, I join an inspiring group of writers to write for FIVE MINUTES on a one-word prompt. No editing. No revising. Just WRITE. This week, the prompt word was SAFE.
// indicates the start and stop of the timer.
For more information on Five Minute Friday, check out Kate Motaung’s site!
I love your writing, Shauna! This is a great post. Especially the part of realizing that our Daddy is way bigger and stronger than any fear trying to bully us. Thanks for sharing <3
Thanks so much for your kind words, Mandy! It’s so true, and we need to remind ourselves regularly, don’t we? I’m so glad you stopped by.
Have a great week! ☀️
I love this post, Shauna! Especially the part of realizing that our Daddy is way bigger and stronger than any fear trying to bully us. Great words here, friend <3
Shauna, this was a very hard word for me also. I have always lived safe, but felt unsafe. Bullied is a great description. You got it right. Things happen and in the midst of them we still are safe in Christ, no matter what it looks like. This world is not a safe place and we are being fueled by fear every day. We need to remember we are in the world but not of the world. “”Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for thou art with me. ” This life, a shadow, only a shadow and we have passed from death into life. Blessings to you this week.
Thank you so much for your feedback, Mary, and for that awesome verse! What a position of strength and confidence, “I WILL FEAR NO EVIL!” Yes, Lord!
I’m so glad you stopped by.
This is a great post, Shauna. I have also been bullied by fear for far too long but I am learning to fight back. It definitely helps to keep our eyes on God and remember that he is bigger. I love the song Oceans too.
Thanks so much for visiting and commenting, Lesley. You’re absolutely right – keeping our eyes on God and reminding ourselves WHO HE IS is one of our most powerful weapons in this battle against fear. Seems to be a recurring theme, doesn’t it? 🙂
I’m so glad you stopped by, my friend. Have a great week!
#FMF Love your honesty! Enjoyed your perspective. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Dana. I’m so glad you stopped by!