fear – Page 2 – Amy Linnea

Toxic poison

Published on September 8, 2018June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21

Are you affected by poison?

I know we never knowingly ingest the stuff.

I’m talking about subtle poison.

Toxic people.

Toxic situations.

Lies from the pit.

Poison like that is all around us.

It infects us frankly easier than literally ingesting liquid.

So what should you do when you find yourself without warning in the midst of poison?

Suddenly surrounded by the bad stuff?

Refuse to participate.

Isn’t that what they teach kids about drugs?

You bet.

It’s good advice.

Refuse.

Don’t let your heart become drawn.

Set your mind against participation with fear or disappointment.

Keep your head and rise above it, staying in peace.

Poison is meant to infect.

It’s goal is to inflict pain, cutting you to the core.

So don’t let it.

Sounds simple, but in reality, it’s pretty hard.

Our nature tends to succumb to temptation.

In this case, succumbing to the temptation of pain.

Pain is familiar.

Anger is familiar.

Disappointment is familiar.

These toxic reactions are poison.

I have an example.

Recently, someone produced gifts for everyone except for me.

It was a pointed attack, meant for harm.

If I had let the toxic poison sink deep, anger and depression would have clung to my soul.

Instead, I refused to participate, letting the disappointment fall to the ground.

I did not let the toxic power take hold.

If I had, the poison would have won.

Just what the person wanted.

Battling toxic people or situations can only be done with God.

God is on your side.

He is present and fights for you.

He wants every good thing for you.

He is on your side.

Don’t you want to be on His?

You can be when you resist toxic people and situations.

Try it.

I have complete confidence in you.

With God.

Photos by Lisa, Zachary, Bryan, & Seb on Unsplash

Clothed in His Love

Published on August 4, 2018June 9, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. John 15:9

Abide in God’s perfect love for you.

Reside.

Stay for a long, long time.

Rest.

When you are abiding in God and His love, there is no room for fear.

When you focus on His love, anxiety walks away and worry leaves.

Why?

Because you feel secure.

Loved.

Complete.

1 John 4:18 says There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.

God’s perfect love casts out all fear.

When you abide in God’s love, there is no fear.

How do you abide?

Replace ungodly thoughts with God’s truth.

Use Scripture or words which have spoken to your heart.

Rest in God’s love.

Breathe.

And always abide.

Purpose your mind on it.

Focus your heart on it.

And stay.

Stay for a long, long time.

Abide.

Never Ever Leaves

Published on June 9, 2018June 8, 2023 by amylinnea4 Comments

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

God has promised to never leave us.

Never.

Flip that.

God has promised to always stay right by our side.

With us.

Right there.

Literally.

Deuteronomy 31:6 reminds us to be strong and of good courage…to fear not, nor be afraid.

Why?

Because the LORD goes with us…never failing us, never leaving us alone.

So why on earth do we ever allow fear to follow us?

Seriously, why?

We must stop this habit of turning to fear.

Since God is always with us, we have nothing to fear.

Nothing.

Not war.

Not screaming children.

Not sticky family situations.

Not even changing jobs.

We can jump into what God has for us, because He is with us.

Nervous to make a change?

Wondering if you can handle today?

Well you can do it.

Certainly not on your own.

But with every little thing, remember that God is with you.

He’s with you doing the dishes.

He’s with you driving your child to work, during awkward conversations, and while you mow the lawn.

He’s with you at the doctors and He’s with you at the drive-thru.

He’s with you as you wake in the night and He’s with you on the porch when you sip your morning coffee.

What difference would it make in your life if you began to remember He is always at your side?

Present in every moment?

Be strong and courageous.

God, who created ALL things, is with you every moment of every day.

And He will never leave you alone.

Ever.

How sweet it is to trust in Him.

Will you trust Him afresh today?

Photos by Kyle Cottrell , Callie Morgan , & Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

God’s Light

Published on March 17, 2018June 8, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

No darkness in Him, period.

No worry.

No fear.

No ugly attitudes.

No selfish me monsters.

No self-hatred.

No pain.

God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

In God, there is only light.

Goodness.

Mercy.

Love.

Security.

When we place our trust in God, He resides in us.

Because He resides in us and He is light,

His light shines through us, snatching away the darkness like fear, worry, and our incredibly selfish ways,

1 John 1:6 continues, “If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.”

When profess our devotion to God, yet listen to the lies of Satan, choosing words or actions opposite of God, we are liars.

“You are nothing.”

“You are not worth it.”

“Might as well stop praying as it will never make a difference.”

Listening to those places our actions in opposition to God.

God’s ways are light.

When you walk in God’s light, it looks like peace.

Even if you heaps of trash are forced upon your path, you are still in peace.

The absence of fear and worry.

When you walk in God’s light, it looks like security.

He is always by your side, guiding your every step if you’ll let Him.

God’s light is real.

God’s power is real.

His light can shine through you every moment of every day.

But you have to choose.

Will you fall into fear, worry, and selfish motives, thus stepping into darkness?

Or will you practice the truth, God’s truth, and remain with Him in the light?

I for one don’t want to be a liar.

I want to choose God each and every day.

May He help us do just that, covering us with grace when we stumble along the way.

And may we remember to get back up, choosing to walk again with God in His light.

sweet-ice-cream-photography-88754-unsplash

Photos by Mike Labrum, Gabriele Ribeiro, & Adrien Tutin on Unsplash

Ups and Downs

Published on September 2, 2017June 7, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

He changes times and seasons; He removes kings and sets up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. Daniel 2:21

Life is full of seasons.

Well, yes, seasons, but those are akin to the phases of life.

I’m speaking of ups and downs.

Highs and lows.

The rain and the desert.

Hills and valleys.

There are times in our life when we know what we are doing and times when we don’t.

Times when it’s easy to trust God and times when it takes everything we have.

And sometimes we fail.

The 23rd Psalm speaks to these phases beautifully.

Up on the mountain God leads us to rest, fills our souls and guides us down His godly path.

When life takes us into a valley, He never leaves our side.

In fact, there is nothing to fear.

The absence of fear.

So much so that He leads us out of the valley back up the mountain to safely dine in the presence of our enemies.

And Goodness and mercy follow.

In the highs of life, God walks with us, guiding us to Himself.

In the lows of life, He never leaves our side, leading us to redemption.

The Lord is My Shepherd.

Is He yours?

My Shepherd Protects Me

Published on August 12, 2017June 7, 2023 by amylinnea1 Comment

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.

Because I have trusted,

Because I have trusted my Shepherd, who has led me onto paths of righteousness,

And who has led me to peaceful places of plenty and rest,

Because I have wanted nothing else,

I can rest in the knowledge of His protection when I am suddenly surrounded by hills and death.

When I cannot see the next step, I will fear no evil.

Why?

Because my gentle all-knowing Shepherd is right by my side.

He never leaves my side.

Through the sunny skies and days of dark, He is always there, guiding my every step.

Your rod and staff, they comfort me.

He gently prods me to keep moving, even if I am frozen with fear.

If I am about to stumble off the path, He catches me and gently brings me back to His side.

Because He has proven Himself faithful over and over,

Because He has provided for my every need and I want nothing,

I can trust Him in the valley of the shadow of death.

The valley won’t last forever; however, when in the midst, it seems like it.

He will lead you out.

Keep trusting Him.

He is faithful.

Giving God Only Half

Published on July 23, 2016June 7, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30

Ok God.

You can have this area of my life and this one over here, but not that one.

My family needs You, but my job is fine.

I’m doing fabulous with my job – well, actually my 2 jobs, and I don’t want You to change absolutely anything about it.

So, I’ll keep a hold of my job because I want to stay in complete control.

You can choose the books I read, but I want to remain in charge of the tv shows I watch.

I know what I like and I don’t want to change any shows.

I deserve them, because I work hard!

I’ll let You alter my food and eating habits.

I really need You there.

I want to be healthy and in better shape, so I give You control of that area.

You want me to jog during my tv show?

Um, not going to happen.

I love that show.

Let’s see, You can direct my health, the dog, our home, my husband’s job, and our vacation plans.

I’m keeping my pride (really need that for work), selfishness (whose going to look out for me if I don’t), and distrust of everything I haven’t done myself.

Have You seen my dishwasher when I haven’t reloaded the thing?

So thank you for taking control of some things in my life.

I don’t have time to do it all myself, so thank you.

I’ll keep the other things for now as I am doing a pretty great job.

You sure knew what you were doing when you fashioned me!

So relieved we had this talk.

Pastor said we should surrender everything to you – said we’d be happier and more peaceful.

Don’t know how anyone could do that!

It’s too hard!

Not strong enough in my own strength, I suppose!

I love being in control.

Just using the gifts You gave me!

Looking forward to seeing You work things the way I want in the areas I gave You!

Entertaining Doubt

Published on March 17, 2016June 6, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Why do you doubt me?

Why do you doubt my love?

Why do you doubt my goodness?

Why do you doubt my plan for you,

my personal love story written just for you?

Are you scared?

Lonely?

Trust me.

Completely.

Perfectly.

Wholly.

You must use My strength to do just that.

But I’m here ready to help.

Do not doubt me.

I am faithful to you right up through the very end of your story.

Why do we entertain thoughts of doubt?

Because we don’t really believe God holds our life in His hands.

That He has our back.

Little moments of life stir up whispers of fear.

We listen to the whisper.

We think about the whisper.

Doubt creeps back in through our open door.

When we listen to the whispers, we unknowingly fling the door wide open, inviting doubt and fear to join us.

Sigh.

Make a list of your fears.

Now answer each one with God’s matchless truth, breaking the power of each fear.

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The LORD is my strength and my defense ; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2

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

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

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The next time doubt whispers in your ear, whip out the list and speak the written truth.

Immediately switch doubt into certainty.

Then go on your merry way thinking about something entirely different.

We mustn’t doubt God.

He’s been faithful to me in countless ways and He has been and will continue to be faithful to you.

No doubt in my mind.

Saved From More

Published on January 22, 2016June 6, 2023 by amylinneaLeave a comment

Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. Isaiah 45:22

Saved, yes, for all of eternity.

From the punishment we richly deserve.

But I think there’s more.

The Hebrew word “saved” means to deliver.

To help.

To gain victory.

When we look unto God for our daily needs…

When we look to Him to free us from ourselves…

When we look to God to be our everything…

We are saved from fear.

We are saved from sin.

Every day.

Every time we look unto God.

We are saved moment by moment, each and every day.

Yes, thank you God, we are saved from an eternity separated from Our Creator.

But we are also saved from worry and fear, here and now.

But only if we look unto God.

Only if we clear away all else and place our trust in God.

For He is God and there is none else.

Photo by Nagesh Badu on Unsplash

Focusing on Jesus

Published on September 3, 2015June 6, 2023 by amylinnea1 Comment

He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. Matthew 14:29

When life is swirling around you, fix your eyes on Jesus.

Completely.

Step out of the boat and go.

When your focus is Jesus, He will provide all of your strength.

But the moment doubt pores in, you’ll sink.

Your focus will shift to you and your circumstances without God’s help.

Fear and panic will be your guide.

However,

The moment you turn back to Jesus and ask Him to step in, He will.

He will reach out His hand, continuing to guide you to safety.

Rescuing your heart and mind from death.

When Peter stepped out onto the water, his focus was not on the waves, the water, or his inability to walk on water.

His focus was on Jesus.

Only when the Peter began to rationally think about his circumstances instead of trusting Jesus, did he begin to sink.

But when Peter focused back on Jesus to save him, Jesus immediately stepped in.

And He will always do the same for you over and over again.

Every. Single. Time.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Stuck at the Cross

Published on May 27, 2015December 2, 2017 by amylinnea4 Comments

(This guest post is my sweet daughter Linnea’s senior legacy paper)

When thinking about how to sum up what I’ve learned in high school, I struggle to find the words. There’s so much I’ve learned. Really, there are like ten different things I could talk about. But when thinking about what to say, it kind of hit me. My experiences – everything I’ve gone through in high school – it doesn’t really matter. It’s not the point.

Everyone has their stories. I have mine. I could go on and on about how my depression, self-harm, and parent’s divorce affected me and what God has taught me through all of it; but honestly – that’s not the point. God has brought me through so much. He’s slowly shaping me to be the person He created me to be. He’s preparing me for the next life. In the end, everything that we’ve done on earth isn’t going to matter. There will be a day where the only thing that matters is whether or not you know and accept Jesus Christ. High school drama will be completely forgotten.

High school is a very instrumental time in a person’s life because it is then people start discovering themselves. It’s the perfect opportunity for God to wreck your life for Him – and that’s what He did to me. I went from being terrified of anything remotely spiritual, to constantly having my heart broken for those who don’t know Christ. God put this burning desire in my heart to know Him more and share His love with others. It was almost as if I had been blind and now I could see.

But it’s not always that easy. Truly trying to follow God is the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. But it’s so worth it. Satan will do everything he can to distract you. He’ll try to re-open wounds and taunt you with temptations. But don’t be discouraged! John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

One thing I’ve learned is that so many people get stuck at the cross. I know that sounds funny, but let me explain. God wants us to lay ourselves and our burdens down at the cross and receive His grace. But we aren’t supposed to stay there. We are supposed to go forth and spread His news once we’ve been forgiven. Sometimes you’ll have to go back to the cross and lay more burdens down, but you aren’t supposed to live there. Sadly, it seems as if that’s where most Christians are today. They are all about giving their problems to God and being forgiven, but they don’t actually do anything with it.

I believe God has so much more in store for us than just wiping away our sin. He wants us to experience the fullness of His love and be rooted richly in His spiritual blessings. He wants us to go out and share His love with urgency. Going into high school, I had the Great Commission on my mind because I had just gone through confirmation and that’s what I had picked for my verse. Matthew 28:19-20 says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” I wasn’t really sure why I picked that verse, but I knew it felt right. Now I can see that God has been changing my heart and how it is a perfect verse for my life – because it describes the desire He has put inside my being.

If I had to leave one piece of advice, I’d say that no matter what, trust in God with all of your heart. He created you and knows you better than you know yourself. Life is full of unexpected things and you will never be able to go through it all and come out stronger without leaning on God. There’s no time to put God on hold. If you were to die tomorrow, would you be ready?