“Lights out”, the voice drifted up the stairs. Inwardly, I hoped for one more page or even one more chapter. At the same time, the nightly sick feeling gathered in my chest at the thought of turning the lights out. A healthy dose of fear began its ascent throughout my body.

Photo by Sagar Chaudhray on Unsplash

It was my fear of the dark that led me padding down the hallway to my parents’ bedroom, many a night growing up. As I silently turned the doorknob and entered the room, I prayed my dad would reassure me that I was safe and loved. I knelt down by my dad’s side of the bed and whispered I was afraid. His gentle words and calm manner always made me feel better.

My fears as a child felt like the flip of a switch when I heard the words “lights out.” But my fears as an adult look bigger than the dark. My fears, though not always tangible, cause me to shake in my boots in a totally different way than as a child.

Fear of being enough, worthy, qualified for the job, or even the fear of belonging plague my thoughts these days.

I am learning my fears are stories I tell myself. What looks like “I am not enough,” is a story that I created. And this story is easily refuted by God when He whispers from heaven in Matthew 3:17, “this is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well-pleased.”

These same words are God’s promise to me. “This is my daughter, whom I love; with her I am well-pleased.”

Fear fights against us, but God works for us. When our trigger sounds like “Lights out”, God turns around and reminds us that He is the light. His is a love song that sounds like this:

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12, NIV

We live in a world that shouts not enough, not worthy, everyone is better than you, and the threat of whispered rejections that are the loudest battle cries on social media. But God doesn’t leave us in the place of fear and instead shows us His truth.

Take a minute and think of your biggest fear. Now find the truth that allows that particular fear to fester and grow. Where is the truth? Is your fear really fear or is it you telling yourself a story?

 

Jesus puts our fears to rest with the following words:

Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!  Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Luke 12:22-26, NIV

At the moment our fears become bigger than the dark is the perfect time to call on God. When we turn to Him, our fears fall away as He becomes the light we need to scare away the dark.

Fears looks overwhelming, bigger than life, scary, and real. Let me reassure you God is bigger and He is real. God’s truth always overcomes and His love embraces us when life is difficult.

God knows this about you and I:

Who you are is a chosen child of God.

What you do is a choice, but when you choose God first, He leads you closer to Him.

How you live your life is a reflection of your greatest fear or your most gracious God.

When you walk in faith, there is no room left for fear.

Fear fights against us, but God works for us. #TellHisStory #linkup Share on X

Today we can walk in the light because God controls the switch from light to dark. He is all we need. Our biggest fears have nothing on the One who overcame darkness through the sacrifice of His one and only Son. The truth of who God is will always lead us to the light. Let’s tell ourselves the truth of who God is and let our fear become the happy ending to our story.

Blessings,

**Reminder**

There will be no post or linkup next week On June 4. Come back the following week as we celebrate the one year anniversary of Tell His Story and the fact that it’s summer (my favorite season!)

#TellHisStory Link Up
 
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters.
 
I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leave your own encouragement. Add the #TellHisStory button to your post so others can join in on the fun. Click HERE to get the button.
 
Your story matters and the #TellHisStory link up continues because of you.

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