A Summer of No Fear

Anybody reading this have fears?? If you know me, you know that I am a scaredy cat. I am a person who likes to live in my perfect little box, and control every outcome in my life. I have fear when I step out into the unknown because I don't know what is going to happen. I was so tired of being this way. I was tired of missing out on all of the fun adventures God had for me because I was to fearful of what might happen. So, at the beginning of the summer, I made a pact with Wes and Heather Baughn that this would be my summer of no fears. This would be the summer I would live in complete freedom from the chains of fear that I have allowed to grip me my whole life. I would be kinder than ever before.  I would listen to peoples' stories and seek to understand. I would go on adventures with unexpected friends and I would choose to live every day to the fullest. As summer is drawing to an end and I have been reflecting back, I realize how far Jesus has brought me in just a few months. The things of the past that I let bound me in fear I have now released. People who broke my heart, I forgave. I sat and listened to others stories, seeking to understand what they may be going through and I made friendships that will last a lifetime. I experienced a renewing of my heart and was filled with courage to truly find freedom in being myself, for the first time. I began to think about Esther and her story in the Bible. I thought about how she had to leave behind her fears to become the woman that God called her to be. Esther was a Jew, but was chosen by the king to become the queen. While Esther was queen, a decree went out saying that 10,000 talents of silver would go out to anyone who would destroy the Jews. Esther had an important decision to make; she could say nothing and let the Jews be killed or she could approach the king with no fears - hoping to save her people. Esther chose to approach the king boldly, leaving her fears behind and trusting in God’s plan for her life.  Because she let go of her fears, she was able to save the lives of the Jews. Esther’s story inspires me to be fearless, to choose courage in the face of the unknown.

I came across this quote and made it my declaration this summer. It says, “And one day she discovered that she was fierce, and strong and full of fire, and that not even she could hold herself back because her passion burned brighter than her fears.” I have no idea whose quote this is, but one thing I do know is it rings true in my own life. I realized that fear cannot control me, if I don't let it. Fear is something I can give to God. Fear doesn't get to have any power over my heart. I have experienced a much better life this summer than I ever have before. Through the ups and the downs, I found peace knowing that I am loved by my perfect Savior who died for me. As the summer draws to an end and school starts back up, I am holding onto my pack to make this my year of no fear. I pray that if someone reading this today is struggling with you own fears, that you would leave them at the feet of Jesus and join me on a journey of no fears.  And just remember to trust where God leads and know that through this crazy adventure we call life, He is right there beside, us holding our hands. 

P.S. Shoutout to all these crazy people for helping me take this leap of faith and encouraging me to leave all my fears behind. I love y'all!!