Last night as I prayed considering what I would write today, I settled on writing about fear, because I was becoming fearful about a few upcoming events. But when I thought about it this morning, my focus shifted.

Read a story with me.

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. It collapsed with a great crash.
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7‬:‭24‬-‭27‬ ‭CSB‬‬

In this story, Jesus is the rock. In Him there is strength against the storm.

I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken.
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭62‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Jesus is the foundation we build on.

For we are God’s coworkers. You are God’s field, God’s building.

For no one can lay any foundation other than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ.
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬, ‭11‬ ‭CSB‬‬

But I can be the foolish man or the wise man by my actions. Accordingly, the wise man builds his house by acting on Jesus words. So if I take my fear and consider Jesus instructions, how would I put them into action?

Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest?
‭‭Luke‬ ‭12‬:‭25‬-‭26‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Worry is not productive. Allowing my fear to stir up worry doesn’t help me.

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.
‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ‭CSB‬‬

The world and everything in it won’t bring me the fear quenching peace I desire. But knowing God loves me perfectly can drive fear away.

There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love.
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭18‬ ‭CSB‬‬

There is nothing in heaven or on the earth that can get between me and God’s love. Which means I can conquer my fear with His love.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭37‬-‭39‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Even in suffering or whatever the world throws at me, whatever pounds on my house, I can be courageous and have peace because of Christ.

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.
‭‭John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬ ‭CSB‬‬

I will have to go through stressful things, like the surgery I’m having this week, but I don’t go through them alone and I know my future is full of God’s love.

Thank you, to all those who read this and will pray for me. And thank you, to all who read this and will accept His peace and love in the place of fear. I am praying for you.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

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