“One need not be a chamber to be haunted; one need not be a house; the brain has corridors surpassing material place.” – Emily Dickinson
Tomorrow is the big day — What Women Should Know About Facing Fear hits the shelves! I’m so excited because this is a book of my heart — a message I’m absolutely passionate about. I really believe fear is something every woman must face. It affects us all, in different ways, at different times and seasons of our lives. It comes in many shapes and sizes. And disguises. Sometimes it’s that little gnawing creature, nibbling at the corners of our minds, making off with our peace a few crumbling pieces at a time. At others, it’s a monster squatting on our chest, making it impossible for us to breathe.
Some of our fears are admittedly a bit silly, even ridiculous, totally unreal. Others are terribly real. Some fears are life-threatening – they can literally cost us our lives. Or keep us from taking action that would save our lives. Others keep us from living our lives, keep us from doing things we really want or need to do. They rob us of the ability to truly experience life and enjoy life. Some fears keep us from becoming the women we long to be – the women we were meant to be.
Facing our fear, finding God in the midst of our fear, choosing faith instead of fear. It’s such a huge part of my own story, my own spiritual journey.
Through the years, God’s been teaching me to recognize the stranglehold that fear can be and break free from its destructive power. He’s helped me identify my unhealthy responses to fear and discover more effective strategies. He’s given me courage to face my fears and overcome them. I’ve experienced the “perfect love that casts out fear” and known His peace.
God has used my battles with fear to draw me to a deeper place of faith and a more intimate relationship with Him.
And He’s still teaching me things – through His Word, and through the wise counsel and godly example of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Things I want to share with you.
Some I’m sure you know already – maybe you just need reminding. Others may be new. Still others may not be for you at all – but for you to share with a friend or family member, someone you know. Someone facing her own battle with fear.
Like you, like me.
Because when it comes to facing fear, no matter what our feelings tell us, no matter what our circumstances tell us, no matter what the enemy tells us, we are not alone. We are never alone. We have our sisters. And we have a strong and mighty Savior, who makes us this precious promise:
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Or as the Amplified puts it:
“He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]”
On days when your fears seem too much for you – when you just can’t face them – slip your hand in His. Hide behind Him, if you want to. Better yet, climb up into His arms and rest your head on His chest. Listen to His heartbeat. Let His perfect love cast out all fear. And fill you with His perfect peace.
He wants to set you free to be the woman He created you to be.
What Women Should Know About Facing Fear
Christin Ditchfield
Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Leafwood Publishers (October 8, 2013)
ISBN-10: 0891123725
ISBN-13: 978-0891123729
Today’s Question: How much would you say fear is a factor in your life? Is it something you battle occasionally or would you describe it as a major challenge? Has it always been this way?
