For much of my life, I have let fear plague me. It has not necessarily stopped me from doing things, but it often makes things challenging. In Romans Paul talks about those who are in Christ now have life through the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:15 says, “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, Abba, Father.” I like how The Message phrases this verse, “This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?” God’s Spirit touches our spirit and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children”. This is a powerful reminder to me because lately I have been feeling overwhelmed and anxious. I worry about getting everything done. I want to be fully present at work and finish well, and at the same time be focused on preparing for the World Race. When I get overwhelmed it is easy to feel out of control and let the spirit of fear win out. When I stop trying to do everything on my own and turn to God’s Word it helps me center back on Jesus.
As I write this the song Hope Now by Addison Road is playing. Songs are like poetry, they put words to what you are feeling but do not always know how to express. It says this:
If everything comes down to love
Then just what am I afraid of
When I call out Your name
Something inside awakes in my soul
How quickly I forget I’m Yours
I’m not my own
I’ve been carried by You
All my life
Everything rides on hope now
Everything rides on faith somehow
When the world has broken me down
Your love sets me free
We all feel overwhelmed at times. There are probably still going to be times over the next few months when I get anxious, but I can have confidence that, like the song says: I am not my own, I am His!
