Fear

Fear. Webster's dictionary defines it as "to be afraid or aprehensive". I heard Beth Moore define it through an acronym, fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. Regardless of how you define it, fear takes hold of us at one time or another. When it does we have a choice, we can allow fear to dictate every step of our lives or we can use our faith in God to face it and overcome it. When God called us to begin this adoption I believe I originally became overwhelmed with fear. But God had a hold on my mind and heart and I knew I had a choice, to obey Him and face my fear or I could allow the fear to consume me and I would never see God's will fulfilled in my life. Fear can be positive. In the Bible we are told to fear God. The dictionary defines this type of fear as 'a reverential awe'. To fear the Lord is to recognize that he is holy, all powerful, almighty. Fear of God should cause us to be humble before him. Fear can also make us cautious but should never paralyze us. So when fear of the future of this adoption creeps up, I look to God and His Word. I cannot begin to tell you the number of times God said "Do not be afraid or terrified...". So I turn my fear over to him and pray for my child, her birth mother, the adoption process, the money to afford the adoption and for my family to accept my child as our own. Deuteronomy 31:6 Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Joshua 1:9 ...Be stong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Genesis 26:24 Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Now that is something to put my faith in, God's Word assuring me that he is with me and I do not have to be afraid.