Good morning y’all! Hope you are doing well today. Do you do a Word Of The Year? I’ve been doing it for many years now and I love looking back to my words and the years and seeing how they fit, it always blows my mind.
This year after much prayer I’ve decided that COURAGEOUS is my word. Why did I choose it? Well, I’ll be honest there were many reasons why I choose it but manly because of one 4 letter word…..FEAR.
Fear has gripped me since I was a little child. I didn’t have what I would call a stable home life. It was one of chaos. Don’t get me wrong, I know my mom did the best she could with what she knew. But in her own ways she taught me to be fearful of so many things. Still to this day she tries to put her fears on me, only today I know better and don’t receive it. Over the years I have walked through many things and learned to “Do it afraid” but 2020 showed me there was still some fear in me that needed to be dealt with.
I refuse to live my life in fear.
God kept speaking to my heart Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified or dismayed (intimidated), for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Fear is from the devil and the devil is a LIAR! It starts off as a little thought and before you know our emotions are all wrapped up i it and it becomes soooo strong and can actually overwhelm us. For some it cause panic attacks and others it can cause to shrink back. That’s why we have to be so careful with our emotions, they are fickle and ALWAYS CHANGING. We can’t be ruled by our emotions.
Proverbs 23:7 tells us that “as [a man] thinks in his heart, so is he“. I like what Joyce Meyer says: “Where the mind goes, the man follows.” That is so true. God wants us to walk by faith and the devil wants us to walk in paralyzing fear.
We have to meditate on the Word of God and renew our minds to be free from fear and be COURAGEOUS.
Ephesians 2:10 talks about how when we were born again we actually become recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do good works which God predestined…for us…[living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live] So let’s think about that for just a minute, if we are “recreated in Christ” whatever Jesus is…..we are too my friend. He is strong and IN HIM we are strong.
1 John 4:17 says As He is so are we in this world.
You are all the things Jesus is.
So the why do we shrink back in fear? False. Evidence. Appearing. Real.
I think it’s because we look at ourselves and what we are not. We look at how far we have to go. We look at our circumstances and think NOTHING WILL EVER CHANGE. And finally, I think listen to what others think or have said to us or about us. They try and put out our fire on the inside to make themselves feel better but COURAGE is acting against fear. Acting against the naysayers. Acting on what God says about YOU. Not letting fear control you.
Do It Afraid my friend.
Be Strong and Courageous.
How Can I Be Courageous?
1. Put a name to your fear. I learned in Alanon how to name my fear and do a Fear inventory. It’s actually an AA step but my Alanon sponsor used the AA Big Book with me as well. I may not have been an alcoholic or drink but I was raised in it and lived with it so of course you pick up the “ISMS”
2. Surrender. This may take doing over and over again. Nothing is wrong with that, often times we give it up and take it back. Give back to God again.
3. Speak God’s Promises over your life. His promises are YES! And AMEN!! And they are for YOU my friend.
4. Renew Your Mind. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5
So this year when those fearful thoughts come to my mind I will put a name to my fear. I will surrender. I will speak Gods promises over my life and keep renewing my mind.
I WILL BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS AND KICK FEAR TO THE CURB! And I hope you will do.
What is your Word Of The Year and why? I’d love to hear from you.
Big hugs,
Nicole💗
Trophy Of Grace 
I don’t always have a word for the year but it seems this year may be “blessed.”
Blessed…..that’s a great word! Indeed we are more blessed than we realize. God bless you abundantly my friend 🙏💗
Thank you. I believe when we look at the blessings much of the negative of the world fades.
Dearest Nicole, how are you, sweet sis? I’ve had you on my mind a lot.
I relate to you so much. The Spirit of Fear has been a BIG enemy in my own life as well. It helps me to remember that the Bible says fear is a spirit. It’s not just a feeling. Jesus has given us authority over EVERY spirit that exalts itself above Him. That doesn’t make it easy, by any means. But it is one of His promises that He has given us a sound mind but never that nasty fear.
You are so right on about how one single thought can spiral — quickly!! Good grief, I can’t tell you how many mini-breakdowns I’ve had over one single vain imagination. (sigh). It’s another area God and I are working on. I get stuck on a thought (a specific fear) and the rumination loop tries to take over. It can go from bad, to ugly, to ridiculously out of control in 0.2 seconds in my mind. As Joyce Meyer says, the battle really is in our minds. The more we allow Holy Spirit to take control and guard our minds, the better off we will be. Still, in those moments of warfare, it can feel all consuming.
Sis, I am sending you SO much love. You’ve been missed. Oh how I pray that you and your family are well. God & I love you dearly! ❤️ You are such a bright, bright light, in a very dark world.
Holly, girl! I’m crying 😭😭😭 You have no idea what this means to me💗 I wish I could sit and have some coffee with you sister. I’ve sat down to write so many times and it’s just kinda stuck. So much has gone on this year. My dad lives here now, which is all new to me. In my 51 years I’ve never lived near him it’s quite the adjustment. Issues with my mom and her trial. Setting boundaries and learning self care😓 Things I’m just working through. There’s a book in here somewhere or a Lifetime movie lol🤣🙈
You truly blessed, encouraged, and inspired me today. Wish I could hug your neck lol🤗
Thank you for allowing the Lord to work through you to encourage me and speak to me. Love you sister💗😭😇
My youngest daughter and son in law are recovering from covid. SIL was admitted to the hospital a few days but is home now and feeling better.
How are y’all doing?