Thursday, September 1, 2011

A Healthy Respect Or Fear

Today I want to talk about my fear.  I debated on whether or not to share this because until this week I had never shared this fear before, but I felt God prompting me to do so.  Tomorrow our family leaves for vacation and we are super excited.  We are headed to our favorite vacation spot...the beach.

Each year we rent a condo for the whole family that we love.  Our rooms are very high up, anywhere from the eleventh floor to the fifteenth floor.  Being up that high is very nice because you can see so far in the ocean and it is beautiful.

But that is where my fear comes in.  No I am not afraid of heights at all.  What I fear is the kids versus the balcony.  Kids do not always realize the dangers around them.  They can climb and lean over and stick body parts through the bars.  It terrifies me.  Most years I have nightmares the week leading up to vacation of a child falling off the balcony.

This year I decided it was time to release this fear.  I asked my sweet sisters to hold me and my children in prayer.  And I have been meditating on scriptures.

"Be still and know I am God." Psalm 46:10

"He will not let your foot slip - He who watches over you will not slumber." Psalm 121:3

I have no need to fear.  God does not sleep.  While we are trying to catch an early sunrise over the ocean, God is not sleeping in.  He is there watching over us.  While we are having mid-day snacks on the balcony and looking for dolphin fins, God is not out playing golf.  He is there.  He is watching us.  And I can be still and rest in knowing He is God and He stands by His promises.

Lylea and I in 2008
I will have a healthy respect for the balcony and teach my children the same.  They will know not to be on the balcony without an adult and not to climb or lean over.  But I will not fear.  I am so done with fear.  I want to rest easy and relax and let God be God.

What is causing you fear today?  Release that fear.  Rest in God.  He is the maker of all and He holds your heart in His hands.  Open up to Him and release that fear.  He is waiting.

Sweet Blessings~



Linking with:
Thought Provoking Thursday

13 comments:

  1. Oh, Jenifer, FEAR must be the word for the day. As you know, it's on my heart and I just read another blog about it today too! Today, I sent my son to school armed with scripture and a prayer to repeat when he begins to fear and feel anxious. I need to equip myself the same way!! Have a beautiful time this weekend. No fear. Trust HIM! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I was afraid, BUT GOD helped me overcome. :) Beautiful promises your shared this morning. God is always with us!

    ReplyDelete
  3. You go girl! Nothing robs us of joy more than fear. Have a super relaxed and blessed vacation. Great post!
    Pam at www.2encourage.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I had that same thing happening leading up to our trip to Florida. We had a pool in the backyard and I was so fearful that the kids might go outside without me and hit there head and fall in! Well, all that worry was for nothing. I actually have pretty obedient children (not always) in the first place and where did that worry get me... no where, giving it to the Lord is the only way to deal with it. Thanks for this reminder and have a fabulous trip to the beach! I'll be praying for you too :) Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh my goodness that is my EXACT same fear! We go to the beach condo and I have stomach aches and nightmares about the balcony. Don't even think about holding the baby near the railing...freak! :)

    However, I don't think my kids would even know that was my deep fear. I smile and let them stand near the edge and I don't say a word. I want them to enjoy life without these silly fears. Exactly as you said...be healthy and careful then trust God with the rest. I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one! Lisa~

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think you are realeased set free from fear when you let it go! You told this blog that you are afraid every year but this year that fear is gone in Jesus name cause you released it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love this. GOD helped you release it. Have a wonderful time at the beach I'm so excited for you. praying a peaceful trip :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Jenifer - you have done the completely right thing. Pray about it, release it, and trust Him to be in every situation. Great post on how to handle a fear. Enjoy the beach, the view and the balcony.
    God bless
    Tracy

    ReplyDelete
  9. Girl, I just knew you were gonna say tsunamis!!! That is mine (at the beach anyway). I even saw that they have these warning signs up now. It kinda made me feel better because I figure at least we'd have some warning....and here I thought I'd released that fear to Him!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wonderfully stated Jenifer. Fear festers inside our hearts, and robs of of the joy God desires of our lives. It's always important to have a healthy respect for things that can harm us, but it needs to be placed in His hands once that's established.

    I pray you and your family have a wonderful vacation!!

    Have a Blessed Day!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Jenifer,

    Praying that you have a great and blessed vacation, and that God keep you and your family safe, but most of all have a fun time!

    Blessings

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you for being a wonderful demonstration of one who believes, trusts and follows. He does watch over us ~ always!
    Happy TPT...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Jennifer - I have heard the Bible contains around 365 verses that tell us not to fear. However, that is sometimes easier said than done.

    You are right - we are set free only by releasing that fear to God and letting Him work in our lives.

    I hope you have a wonderful vacation.

    Visiting from Brag on God Fridays.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by and leaving your thoughts, I love hearing from you.