Almost every Tuesday night I come on Facebook LIVE with a smiling face and a heart full of excitement about the power of God’s Word and His unconditional grace. What you don’t see is the woman in me who fights fear daily. Bravery was once a hallmark of my life until a sudden, out of no-where mini-stroke left me in ICU with brain bleeds and a concussion. I now live daily with the heaviness of fear that it will happen again, and I confess it to you here.
The first Scripture I read in #REALWoman Session 6 this week was Proverbs 1:33: “But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” My immediate reply was, “I am listening, Lord.” Then Proverbs 2:11 – “Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.” And Proverbs 3:24: “You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.” HELLO! I have not done that in more than a year. My Savior knows me so well.
FEAR looms in front daily. Real fear neighbors next to “might be” fears. Sudden national or impending global disasters are served up as daily bread with the message, “Eat the bad news, swallow it whole, and don’t complain.” It is sometimes easier to give in to depression than to fight.
The choice, our authors remind us, is ours. Remember that the Living, All-Powerful Creator God IS #wisdom and GIVES wisdom through the Scriptures, the Word of God, page after page after page. Every answer and every help we need in life is in the BOOK. What will we choose? The noise of #FEAR or the power of #Bible.
Proverbs 4:8-9 reminds us we are women of strength, confidence, and peace when we choose to saturate our minds with the wisdom of God and not on the messages of this world. “If you prize wisdom, she will make you great. #Embrace her and she will honor you.” HUG the wisdom of God! I love that thought, don’t you?
Honor is bestowed upon the woman who chooses well: “She (wisdom) will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown.” As I read this verse, I suddenly felt lovely and regal, like the daughter of God I was created to be.
I will continue to battle fear because of realities in my body and you will have your own to face. But – we do not need to be CONTROLLED by fear. We can choose to wear a regal robe of pure joy and cast aside the gown of tattered emotions.
Thank you for letting me be open and honest with you. Will you be my witness this day that I, Diane Strack, CHOOSE the WISDOM of GOD to be the repeated message in my mind; the GRACE of GOD as the daily gift I carry; and the LOVE of GOD as the accessory I wear.
We are Daughters of the Living God. Come join me in this adventure.