F E A R - That nasty 4 letter word

I used to live a great amount of my life in fear.

Fear that I would die a terrible, painful death.

Fear that if I ate food I would gain weight and never be able to get it off.

Fear that if I walked anywhere outside by myself I would get abducted.

I used to lock all the windows and doors of my house in fear that someone would break in and kill me.

My whole life was driven by fear.

Fear of failure being my largest obstacle.

It killed every dream I had.

I never completed college because I feared I couldn't do it.

I never pursued photography & journalism - my absolute favorite things in High School.

I discontinued Softball in fear that I couldn't get better and was dragging down my team.

I dropped out of dance class because I couldn't dance one dance. Couldn't get the moves down and feared failing long-term so I quit before I did.

Fear ran my life.

It smothered every dream I ever had.

I spent 21+ years in fear of failing...and I failed in so many areas because of that fear.

Life doesn't have to be that way.

We don't have to be afraid to live life - happily, prosperously, healthily, etc.

One night about 4 years ago, I asked that if GOD were real - could HE take away the fear in my life?

HE was real...and HE did.

I can't tell you that fear never crosses my mind.

But what I CAN tell you is that I leave the windows open at night, now.

I run outside on my own.

I eat food and I gain weight. I exercise and I lose it.

I'm in college and I passed the last 2 semesters with A's.

When I save up for a nice camera, I'll pursue that idea for photography I've held onto all these years.

When fear tries to make it's way into my mind...

when it tries to take my dreams/desires/future captive, again...

I remember what GOD says in the Bible - what HE promises to anyone who asks HIM and believes HIM to do it:

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10