Soar Above the Fear!

I was reading a book today by Joyce Meyer and she made a profound point that I wanted to share with you --

Courage is not the absence of fear; it is pressing forward while the feeling of fear is present.    

                                                                             ~ Joyce Meyer, Never Give Up 

She also used the eagle as an example of living in the midst of difficulty but soaring above it with strength and courage, and in freedom and trust.  I like that comparison.  And so does God, as He offers us even more through the prophet Isaiah ~

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.                                                                                ~  Isaiah 40: 30-31
                              

We are all going to feel fear at times, and yet it is actually what we do with it, how we handle it that really matters.  Do we let it paralyze us?  Does it drain all our energy?  Do we give up and just settle for the known, the easy, the rut?  OR, in the midst of our fear do we trust that we are not alone – that the God of the Universe knows, sees, cares, loves and reaches His hand to us to hold ours and help us through?  I am going to go with that choice! 

God promises us ~

Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’     

                                                                                                                               ~ Isaiah 41:10, 13

So let’s be encouraged today.  There is hope.  There is another way besides fear. 

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives, do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. 

                                                                                                                                  ~ John 14:27