Captive or Courageous?

A guest post by Susan Stilwell.

I'm afraid of snakes. I hate them. Slithery, creepy, tongue-flipping... Eww. I know they serve a purpose in the food chain, but in my opinion those links in the chain can be lopped off.

Snakes aren't my only fear, unfortunately. If I let my mind wander, it will ricochet with "what ifs" that swing from the normal (rejection by those I love) to the bizarre (meteor landing on my head).

I love this quote by Nelson Mandela:

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."

When fear rises within me, it doesn't have to take me captive. God's Word reminds me:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, 

but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

~2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

His Word also commands me:

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.

~Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)

I can choose the things I let into my mind. Snakes, rejection and meteors? Or beaches, friendships and sunshine?

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word and for Your Spirit. We thank you that we don't have to be taken captive by our fears, but that You give us what we need to conquer them. Help us to hide Your Word in our hearts so we can be transformed and walk in Your strength.