Tag: fear
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The Worst Thing
To fight fear, my mind usually goes to the greatest extreme. What’s the worst that could happen? I go there mentally and play it all out. For many years, I’d wind up creating contingency plans and embracing unhealthy coping mechanisms for my worrying. The “fear-fighting” would end with me feeling the desperation of everything depending…
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The Big Picture of Fear
On our first-ever house-hunting excursion, we walked into a little ranch with chalk paint on the cabinets in the kitchen. If it had been anywhere near our price range, I would have bought it on the spot just for that feature. In an instant, I was imagining how we’d use that chalk wall. I’d draw…
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Childlike Fear
At a large event, I watched as a toddler played gleefully on the bleachers. She was unaware of her fancy dress and the decorum around her. Free and safe as she wriggled between her parents, she was happy. Then…her foot slipped. With a terrified wail, she announced to everyone in the crowd her fear and…
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Proportionate Fear
Spiders and I have a tenuous relationship. As a little girl, I thought they were downright freaky. But my beloved grandmother loved to scoop up daddy long-legs and sweet talk ‘em. More afraid I’d disappoint her than I was of the nickel-sized monsters, I’d give the spiders she found chummy names and pretend to be…
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O Come All Ye Frustrated
In just a few weeks, someone or other will ask us: “how was your Christmas?” Chances are our answers won’t include words like “perfect” or “flawless.” It’s just a fact that Christmas celebrations tend to carry with them mistakes and messes. Something unexpected happens. Some gifts don’t arrive on time. Someone isn’t satisfied. The first…
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A Reality Check on Fear: Book Giveaway!
It may seem a little strange for me to review a book written for moms. The 10 pounds of fur snoozing next to me is the closest thing I have to a ward. Much as he thinks he is a baby, he’s not! My friend Bethany Douglas’s book Helicopter Mom is definitely relevant for the…
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The Treasure of Finished
What happens when your fears come true before your dreams do? I faced this question recently when the very reason I’d avoided obeying the Lord in pursuit of my dreams became a reality. Spread out before me, my big scary reason for reluctance made the truth plain. There is no way around hurt and hardship…
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Taking Fear Personally
Someone lied to you and you found out. Someone rejected you flat out. Someone ignored you, someone hurt you, someone who was supposed to care for you didn’t. We all have our someones. If we’re honest, everyone we know is a someone; everyone gives us cause for suspicion. I’m not paranoid- many of our fears…
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Word of the Week: Works
Solomon declared that all of his works brought only vanity and vexation. He drew for us the conclusion that none of our works are meaningful under the sun. Later, He encourages us to enjoy what we do for God approves of those who fear Him and keep His commandments. But in all this, Solomon wasn’t…
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Word of the Week: Cast
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” –1 Peter 5:7 Earlier this week, Liz shared about stepping away from anxiety to trust more fully in the Lord. Take a closer look at that word “cast” in this beloved verse. Here’s what it does not mean: Gently set Hand over carefully Share…