Lady Bird Johnson once said, “The way you overcome shyness is to become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.”
For me, that “something” was (and is) a Someone – Jesus. Fear tormented me as a child. And as a teen, I was horrifically shy.
I first tasted freedom, when I fell in love with Jesus.
Here’s what I share in What Women Should Know About Facing Fear:
“He had been living in my heart all along. But as a child, I couldn’t even begin to understand what this relationship would mean to me as an adult. Now I knew – or I was beginning to. Some people would say this was when I rededicated my life to Christ or made an adult commitment of my life to Him.
“About this time, my grandmother gave me two books that had been a great help to her when she first gave her heart to Jesus: a daily devotional called Streams in the Desert and Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. I devoured both.
“If you’ve read Hinds Feet On High Places, you’ll remember it tells the story of a young woman called Much Afraid who lives in the Valley of Humiliation, where she is constantly tormented by Fear. Much Afraid longs to escape to the Kingdom of Love – but it lies far away, high up in the lofty mountains. And Much Afraid is crippled.
“One day the Chief Shepherd, who lives in the Kingdom of Love Himself – and is in fact the Son of the King – invites Much Afraid on a journey that will lead her there. He promises to make her feet like hind’s (deer) feet, so that she can leap across the mountain heights, and says He will send her two companions to help her along the way. Much Afraid is taken aback when she learns her companions’ names: Sorrow and Suffering. But she soon discovers just how helpful they can be, how necessary to achieving her dream of reaching the Kingdom of Love, receiving her hind’s feet, and her new name.
“I instantly connected with the character of Much Afraid, as my grandmother had known I would. I related to her struggles, her trials and temptations. I had no idea then how much my journey would mirror hers. How much I would come to know her companions, Sorrow and Suffering, or that one day, like Much Afraid, I would learn to call them dear friends.
“Hinds’ Feet on High Places ” by artist Daniel Gerhartz, used with permission. www.DanielGerhartz.com
“Little by little, day by day, God was doing a new work in my heart and life – transforming me from the inside out. The more I knew Him, the more I loved Him. The more I loved Him, the more I wanted to share His love with those around me. But to do that, I’d have to be willing to open my mouth and speak to them….” (pg 26-28)
That’s how it started for me… how I began finding freedom from fear. I’ve had many battles since. But His love has forever captured me. And He fights for me.
“Perfect love casts out fear…” (1 John 4:18 ESV)
I’m praying you will experience that love anew today.
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“Whenever you are willing to obey Me, Much-Afraid, and to follow the path of My choice, you will always be able to hear and recognize My voice, and when you hear it you must always obey. Remember also that it is always safe to obey My voice, even if it seems to call you to paths which look impossible or even crazy.” ~ Hannah Hurnard, Hinds Feet on High Places
If you’ve never read this classic – or it’s been a long time – let me encourage you to discover for yourself the powerful truths of Scripture presented in this beautiful little story!
You can download it on your e-reader or tablet from amazon.com for $1.99! Or see if you have a copy already on your shelf. You might also enjoy the lesser-known sequel, Mountains of Spices. There’s even an illustrated children’s version you can share with your kids or grandkids!
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Today’s question: What book or books have been especially meaningful to you in your spiritual journey?
