Photo by Katerina Kerdi on Unsplash
It has been a difficult month so far. Lots of circumstances that can tempt me to fear and I must fight for faith and peace. Have you ever been in a similar season? Bad news seems to be like one unwelcome intruder after another knocking on your door? Yesterday alone we received news of three heartbreaking situations that required immediate action, prayer and support.
Not exactly how my Friday Favorites posts begin, but this is real life. Tom often says,
“We are all a phone call or text away from our lives changing, sometimes forever.”
Which leads to my favorites list this week…
Five Favorite Ways To Fight Fear
1. Cry Out To God In Prayer (Lament) – to lament is to show a passionate expression of grief or sorrow. The Psalms are full of examples on how to do this. I have found that lamenting to God always leads me to my next favorite…
2. Worship – We are blessed with many great songwriters who, like David, pour out their hearts to God and beautiful songs are created in the process for our benefit. A new artist who is also a friend has released her first song titled, Hold On – by Alli Myers. You can download it on iTunes and be encouraged. Another song that God led me to this morning is, You Never Let Go, by Matt Redman.
3. Read the Bible – “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” – Romans 10:17 ESV. The opposite of fear is not doubt as some imagine. It is FAITH. And faith is my word for 2019. It also helps to remember to put on the whole armor of God in order to fight this enemy. Our sword is the Word, which when heard builds up our faith. Faith is our shield of protection against the enemy’s attack. We need both to fight well. Tom and I enjoy reading daily devotions on the You Version app. We highly recommend doing the same one together so you can talk about what God is showing you.
4. Phone A Friend(s) – There are times when I have no words or energy to fight on my own. This is when it helps to have friends that will 1. remind you of the Truth, 2. hold you up in prayer, and 3. provide encouragement to endure the suffering. I have even set up text groups to send out an SOS for prayer support when needed.
5. Find A Sermon Or Book To Help – A few of my favorites are:
- It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way, by Lysa Terkeurst
- Suffering, by Paul David Tripp
- Bittersweet, by Shauna Niequist
- When God Weeps, by Joni Eareckson Tada
- War On Fear, by John Morgan
Just writing this post has encouraged my heart and reminded me of the rich resources I have to help me not stay discouraged. I do have a prayer request though, if you are so inclined. Would you pray with us for healing for someone dear to us. I can’t share specifics–God knows the details–but as many as we can have joining with us in prayer the better. Grateful for your love and support.
Have a romantic and faith-filled weekend!
The Romantic Vineyard 
Debi, I’m so sorry for the difficult days you are in and I’m praying for you and Tom.
One example that shines for me is that related by Alexander Solzhenitsyn in “The Gulag Archipelago”, of a cellmate had had.
This chap had been a military officer, and was cheerful, disciplined, and an encourager to those around him. He kept himself an his few possessions clean and orderly, excercised as he could, and wored hard to boost the morale of the other prisoners.
And he had already been sentenced to death.
Here’s a sonnet, just for you, and for today.
So many think I’m very brave,
but it’s really something else;
no earthly power can now save
me from those tolling bells.
Tears do not become the man
that I’ve grown and nurtured here.
If cancer is God’s chosen plan
I’ll face it without fear.
Impassive example must be set
for those upon this road,
and it’s vital not to let
show how dire is the load.
I’ve been given the responsibility
to a cool and hard humility.
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Andrew, Thank you! Grateful for your example and your prayers for us.
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Debi, I’m honoured, and it’s a privilege to be able to offer my prayers.
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This is so good, Debi.
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Thank you friend! 😊
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Everything you write is so inspiring. 😊❤️
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Thank you! I pray so.
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