At 55, I’m almost afraid to admit that FEAR has kept me from doing many things in life. Even as a child, I was always cautious about “what might happen” instead of “what might not happen.” To the point that I was called scaredy cat by the other kids that would play with my sister and me. Fear was one of the main reasons I didn’t go to college right after graduating High School. I was terrified of math… Nothing like a math teacher from a small country in Louisiana that would call you to the blackboard by the name “stupid” and take great pleasure in embarrassing you in front of the class, where 98.9% of them bullied you on the regular bases.Fear will always find what you fear most and use it to keep you on the sideline of life. And it will use people to drive home its message that you will never be, never do, never have, or accomplish anything that resembles FAITH or SUCCESS. But when you realize that being scared is a choice, just like being brave is a choice. Life starts to look a whole helluva lot better, brighter! Dare I say…. Fun-er! This is when you begin to embrace the acronym of FEAR… FALSE. EVIDENCE. APPEARING. REAL. This describes the effect of a story your mind tells itself that causes a physical reaction, like being scared that something is going to happen. But the opposite is, “What if NOTHING happens at all.” What if you get to enjoy LIFE to its fullest?The enemy doesn’t want you or me to live an unafraid life. He doesn’t want us to live out the WORD of God or RIDE with it tucked inside our hearts. John 10:10 said it best. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Jesus came to give us life. Not only that, but he also came to provide us with a life that is rich and full, a satisfying life. And what’s more enjoyable than gearing up, mounting up, and riding the open road in FAITH, not Fear…False Evidence Appearing Real. Lord! If I could go back and teach my younger self this MAN!!!! There would have been so much heartache and disappointment that I could have avoided. My childhood, pre-teens, and young adult years could have been much more enjoyable. I have always been a late bloomer… but as I got older and closer to a loving God I kicked Fear to the curve, went back to school, got my college degree in Culinary Arts and Pastry, and became a Pastry Chef at 50. It took five years to finish a 2-year program, but I did it…Fighting Fear every step of the way! LOL, I like to tell people, “Sometimes the fight of FAITH over FEAR takes a while.”Listen, I’m not saying it is easy. Pushing Faith forward is hard. It’s work, the constant reminder of every little battle fought, and every victory God has brought you. This builds up your Faith so that you can roll right over Fear. Bottom line “You can Ride in Faith, or you can Live in Fear.”The world today is designed to keep us all in a constant state of Fear…BUT GOD! I have never seen the hand of God so Mighty, Majestic, Sovereign, and Gracious as when I’m riding my bike on the open road with my husband or our Chapter. From the saddle and behind the visor, it’s clear that God still has the whole world in His hands. And the beautiful thing about Fear is when you ride towards it runs away. Why? Because it’s only false evident “appearing” real. Remember…
Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. Psalm 20:7
DON’T BE SCARED!
Thought To Ponder
Is there something you want to do in your life or a passion or dream you have but aren’t doing because you’re scared? What is it, what are you afraid of, and why?
May the Joy of the Lord instantly become your strength to encourage you to overcome any fears that you might experience. Remember, in our daring to be brave, when we throw caution to the wind, casting our cares in Faith upon Him through the ride. Peace, love, and joy are set loose in the atmosphere, and it permits other riders to do the same. Allowing us to all rejoice in knowing we have triumphant victory in Riding the Good Ride of Faith. If this post ministered to you or encourage you in any way, please share with your fellow Wind Sisters.
Adventures of Fearless Faith 