Acceptance

Acceptance:

In life others evaluate us by our performance. Are we successful in our  careers, fit, and attractive? How much wealth do we possess? It's easy to believe God judges us in a similar way–based on our behavior. Although Christians recognize that salvation is by grace, many nonetheless strive for God's acceptance, never sure they have His love.  Some never feel WORTHY of it.

How is it for you?  Let’s ask ourselves two questions and see what reactions we have….

Do you ever think God must be displeased, impatient, or disappointed with you? yes or no?  Explain.  What would you have to do to be sure of His acceptance?

God’s Word teaches that as believers in Jesus, we are completely accepted.   Not partially, but completely.  If we belong to Christ, we share in His holiness. How can that be? Scripture teaches that through Adam's rebellion against God, all of humanity was corrupted, inheriting the disease of sin. But when the Savior died on the cross, He made a way for everyone who believes in Him to become holy:

"Adam's one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ's one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous" (Rom. 5:18-19 NLT).

• As believers, how do we obtain righteousness (Rom. 3:21-24)?

21But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

• Dictionary.com defines justify as "to declare innocent or guiltless; absolve; acquit." On what basis do we have peace with God (Rom. 5:1-2)?

 You are innocent and guiltless in the Lord's sight. Describe how that makes you feel.

 Why is it possible to be confident that God's love isn't conditional upon our behavior (Rom. 5:4-8)?

B. God accepts us by grace, not based on performance.

In the first century, some Jewish Christians believed that good works were necessary to earn salvation and make us Christ-like. However, Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches that salvation is by faith alone—good works cannot save us (Eph. 2:10; James 2:26) but rather, they should result from our trust in the Savior. We become godly over time by surrendering to the Holy Spirit—not because we follow the Law of Moses or any other set of rules.

Read Galatians 3:1-14.

• How did the Galatians first receive the Spirit (v. 1-4)?
• What was required for them to experience His power (v. 2-5)?
• How did Abraham obtain righteousness (v. 6)?
• The Jews are physical descendants (sons) of Abraham. Who are his spiritual descendants (v.7-9)?
• Why is trying to earn righteousness or justification by observing the law a futile endeavor (v. 10)?
• For what purpose did Christ free believers (Gal. 5:1-2)?

We typically use the term "falling from grace" to mean losing favor with God because of sin.

• Read Galatians 5:4. In context, what do you think Paul meant by "falling from grace"?

 Believers live in confidence and freedom because of grace.

The controversy over circumcision is no longer at the forefront of Christian debate. However, legalism—the idea that believers are justified by what they do––still cripples much of today's church. Some people fear losing their salvation over each sin they commit. More common is the idea that we must meet the Father's standards in order to receive His love and affection. Sometimes legalistic believers have the impression that God feels disgusted when they fall short.

• Do you strive to measure up to rigid standards or follow particular rules of Christian living? If so, how do you feel when you fail?
• Read Romans 8:1-2 and describe why you are free.

Since the time of Abraham, God has purposed that salvation be only by faith, not works. If you are in Christ, rest assured that He accepts you. When sin interrupts fellowship with the Father, He wants to restore His disobedient follower but never ceases to accept the believer as His beloved child.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of righteousness through Your Son. I'm grateful that I no longer have to perform to win Your acceptance. Help me use my freedom to serve You and others. In Jesus' name. Amen.

...and the WISDOM to know the difference?

Wisdom……..something I seek after regularly with the Lord and receive more often than not, in complete faith!

I remember way back (into 1987) when I first read the Serenity Prayer:


Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
--Reinhold Niebuhr

I was sitting in an Ala-non meeting in 1987, when I was introduced to this prayer; estranged from an alcoholic husband, trying to make sense and gain wisdom on what to do next, with a baby on my knee.  We have probably heard the first part of that prayer, but rarely the second part, which is the explanation of what it means.  It impacted me, though, and thus I have sought wisdom to know the difference ever since.
Truly, the Lord says it a different way:

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will direct your paths.
Proverbs 3, 5-6

(Hmmmm…..I like the second better than the first, actually.)
I have been musing before the Throne lately, about my path and direction in this life for Jesus!  Who am I, really, for You Father?  But, even in uncertainty and change - do I trust Him, without reservation or hesitation or a care - that is how I trust the Lord.

The Lord gave me a vision in 1998, about unity of His body.  It crossed denominational lines and barriers, lived outside doctrine and tradition, and was a photograph of Agape.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 talks about the application of Agape (sacrificial love):
 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

If Love has a name and it is called Jesus, what has happened to the Church?  Division, strife, competition, rules, doctrine and tradition…. whose kingdom are we building?  The kingdom of God or the kingdom of man (cloaked in church such-and-such?)

Why isn’t it one in the same anymore, Lord?  Why can’t we just be and share and love You as a body of believers (a FAMILY of brothers and sisters)?  Why is it still “oh I can’t come there because I belong to THIS building or I can’t minister there because I tithe at THIS building…..).  It has even gotten to the point where leaders minister from the position of how it affects “their ministries” instead of the Kingdom of heaven!

YUCK! 

I remember a vision once told by a prophet named Rick Joyner.  In his vision, he saw a prison with people in a large yard or compound.  They were running around begging for freedom (even though the Lord has made HUGE holes in the fences for escape to Him that they just could not see).  And, in the watchtower, guards stood, heavily armed and ready to fire with loaded guns.  They kept the people in order, and dictated to them what they should do, when they should do it, etc.  It really appeared like a scene out of any movie where Federal prison is portrayed….

The ugly truth was in that vision, the people were the believers, the compound and prison were the current buildings that represented individual churches and the guards were the individual pastors, protecting THEIR sheep, and prohibiting them from not only being ONE, but from coming to the Lord.
Yet, the Lord’s agenda is not division and separatism.  It is unity!

Jesus Himself says in Matthew 23:37-39 says:

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. “Behold, your house is being left to you desolate! “For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!’”

Are we to remain so unwilling to gather when He says things like:
"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself."  John 12:32.

I promise, Lord, I will NOT let go of the vision you gave me for Your Church.  I will continue to preach it and live its conviction by vocation until it comes to fruition.  I will not waiver or compromise it.  I will not throw my pearls to the swine in spite of it.

You are my God and in YOU I find peace and rest!
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Recently, in the women’s ministry group I am currently leading, we were talking about passing through the valley of indecision and fear.  I looked at the faces of the women assembled in my living room and I saw so many things….hope….fear…pain….indecision….confidence…..  mostly, I saw faith.  It twinkled in their eyes like a flame.  It inspires me; to serve them, and to serve the one and only true God, Jesus Christ, Himself.


Prior to any gathering, I pray and thank Him for the anointing He bestows upon me to bring forth His words to these women.  It amazes me how, if I cultivate the atmosphere of connection with the Holy Spirit, how He will fill me to the full.  It is sometimes like stepping into the heat of a bath and the feeling of the warmth of the water as it covers you.  I depend on Him for His indwelling to speak, to minister, to bring wisdom and to, most importantly, speak what He would have for those in front of me.  I depend on it for daily life as well.  And, He never ever fails.  I laugh as most would say “boy that lady is full of energy” and it is 100% the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that lights me up the way they see me.
So, we shared in the group about walking though the valley of indecision and fear and some practical ways to make it to the mountain top.  Was powerful for me that night with the honesty and truth these women were sharing.  I am so grateful for them and their hearts and their love.  It is such a reflection and symbol of Him and so real and tangible.  I thank you, Lord!


It always ministers to me, the message the Lord brings in the group and it will often continue to minister to me long after the night is over.  The Holy Spirit will shine His light of truth into my life, like a bright bulb, and illuminate the clarity of the Word in my own life.  I pray always that no matter the vehicle or the messenger, that I receive what He continues to speak to me and not turn a deaf ear from His rebuke and His love for He chastens all those whom He loves.  So it doesn’t surprise me this week to find myself contemplating the recent valleys of indecision and fear in my own existence following the gathering.


Recently, in my own life, I suffered an earthquake.  Something that has come and challenged the sheer foundation of my belief and my life’s direction in many ways.  As this recent tremor of a quake hit my life I find it a relief to feel His peace and comfort and to truly rely and believe Him and not my circumstances.  It isn’t how something appears that matters.  It is only the Truth that matters, despite the surroundings.  It matters what God says only, not how it looks or how I feel about it.


True, the shaking of the earthquake took away my balance for a time.  My heart was and is heavy with many emotions and the unanswered questions and unknown outcome  But, because of the PRIOR investment into my relationship with Jesus, I found that I was not flailing around with arms to and fro, freaking out and anxious.  Instead, I found truth to something someone wise spoke to me once upon a time….”sometimes God will calm the storm and sometimes God will calm the child and let the storm rage on and on.”


Ladies, it is never too late to invest!  The Word tells us that you can call upon the name of the Lord and be saved!  It isn’t about the storm for the earthquakes will come and shake our lives.  Things won’t work out as we planned or in our timing, but it doesn’t mean they don’t work out in His time.  We cannot wait to live until the storms pass for if you look around they never do.  It is all those clichés about dancing in the rain that matter.


In the valleys and in the storms if we are connected with the Lord in a real way, there IS joy in our salvation.  There is a lack of fear and a spirit of peace that dwells in our midst.  I have come to welcome the storm!
Storms bring the rain!  Just remember when you pray for the rain, you will have to deal with some mud!  Rain brings renewal in our lives!  The rain is a cleansing and a washing of the Word of God that presents us ever spotless and blameless before Him.


Remember, that you overcome the enemy by the word of your testimony and by the blood of the Lamb according to the book of Revelation.  So testify in the rain.  Sing out the joy and let the rain pour over you.  Make it a public declaration to focus on those things above and not on the quake that hits your life! 

You see, we have the hope and the truth that sets people free in their valleys and in their fear.  But, if our own lives do not show the evidence of that being true, how will they want what we have?????  It isn’t about having it all together and “looking the part” or getting over our “stuff” or waiting on the Lord to do something amazing to get “us” ready for service.  It is about taking our eyes off of the storm, not fighting against the tide anymore, and just going with the flow of His leading and His love.

The storm will take care of itself - it always does.


Psalm 23:4 says:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 


Amen, Lord, amen.


Let it rain!

Double-Minded

In the last year and a half - after a long period of turmoil in my life -  I began to feel a refreshing and restoring of my walk with the Lord.  A rising up, back to my old "self" (in a way) and (in many ways beyond anything I have ever experienced), spiritually-speaking, where my confidence was and is being restored.  I suppose, for me, when the storms of life come and my sails get tattered and torn, it can take God a lot longer than necessary (out of my own choice) to restore my situation.  I know I can get tossed around from faith to unbelief in a matter of seconds sometimes by the enemy’s manipulative tactics and that frustrates me more often than not because one moment I can be on the mountain of faith and the next, in the valley of despair and unbelief.  Sigh….




So, during this time where I have become close to the Lord and in His Word daily and “studying the Word to show myself approved” He has begun to speak some pretty amazing things to me about faith and being a “double-minded” man from Scripture and how that has played out in my own life.  It has been a long journey (much to my chagrin at times) but the end result is I am very angry (honestly at myself) because in my IGNORANCE (which as a Believer is absolutely NO excuse) I have allowed a defeated foe (the enemy and his minions) to take me into double-mindedness, which I can now see directly resulted in circumstances in my life that were less than what I had faith and hope they would be.  That was not because of God, nor because I lacked faith, but because of what I have allowed….Glory to God that today I am getting a NEW revelation and a fresh understanding of what the Word says!


James 1:5-8 says:


“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”


As I have been meditating on these verses and seeking the Lord and even listening to a powerful preaching series on just these verses), I am now understanding, through the Spirit, more and more about this passage in that if I do NOT stand on the Word of God, but allow another thought to impede my mind (sown by the enemy) I can expect to receive nothing from the Lord and expect that my journey (my way) will be unstable (restless).


Romans 10:17 tells me that:  “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”


As I look back at some of the trials I have endured, I get it!  (hindsight is always 20/20).  I WAS unstable in my thinking and some times in my feelings and emotions.  I find, if I seek out the experience in reflection, that it was because the enemy came and sowed a seed of a LIE into that experience, that formed emotions in me (I allowed that seed to grow) and thus, shaped my belief and altered my faith!  It all worked to produce a crop in my life that was less than righteous, less than what God would have for me as his daughter, and contrary to the truth of His Word.


What an oxymoron.  If I had NOT gone through the trials the way I did, I would not have had the revelation I have had, yet if I had the REVELATION before the trial, I would NOT have had to suffer the trial the way I did…..


So, if given the obvious choice, I sure intend to gauge my faith on the WORD OF CHRIST and not on my OWN understanding or what anyone else says or what the enemy says!!!!


The opposite of “unstable” is “stable”.  The opposite of “expect nothing” is “expect everything”…


We really must build our trust (our faith) on the Word and on nothing else.

Living Confidently!

Last night at the Gathering, we talked and about living confidently! I enjoyed the discussion and Word as it always comes at exactly the right time for me and while I may be leading, I am doubly blessed each time by the interaction of the women and their honesty and how candid they are in our environment together. I count it a great joy and blessing to be “doing life” with such amazing, Godly women!

Our text last night started in Mark 4:38-41 where Jesus had just preached to a multitude and had taken His disciples and retreated to a boat to go to the other side. Jesus tells them they are going to the other side and thereafter takes a nap. During the time He is sleeping a big storm comes up and starts filling the boat with water….

Beginning in verse 38:

Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” (Mark 4: 38-4.)

We questioned that when God wants us to do something or is telling us where He wants us to go, we know for sure the enemy comes to create distractions and storms to attack our faith. We so identified with the men in the boat, afraid, without faith (Jesus says still you have NO faith?). In a moment, the men walking face-to-face with God, allowed fear to grip them, choking out the promise of God.

How does Jesus handle the storm? He rebuked it and told it what to do.

Rebuke in the Greek language looks like this: From epi and timao; to tax upon, i.e. Censure or admonish; by implication, forbid -- (straitly) charge, rebuke.

(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance.)

It wasn’t something He did after prayer, or waited to see what could/would happen. It was immediate and it was with authority.

When the enemy comes calling with lies (we aren’t good enough, we can’t do THAT, we will NEVER be THIS….) do we allow those thoughts to “rent space in our heads” or do we stand up and immediately rebuke the enemy’s attempts to pull down our faith and confidence? Not always our first response but a habit that, when well-learned, really goes far in living confidently and abundantly!

If you read on in Chapter 5 of Mark and you see mighty miracles of God working and healings. An amazing work is done with a man who is demon-possessed by a LEGION of demons (that are cast into 2,000 pigs who fling themselves ultimately off a cliff). This man was living in the graveyard and no one could tame him he was so out of it and in one fell-swoop Jesus casts out the demons and many come and find him clean, orderly and 100% healed and sane! This is only one of the miracles that is performed after they arrive.

So, what would have happened if they had let the enemy keep them in the storm and boat and lost their faith? God had a mighty plan for these men on the distant shore and the enemy knew it. And, while he may have done his best to distract and destroy and even kill, it could not stop God or harm his people.

How did the disciples handle the situation? How does that relate to how we handle things in our own lives when the enemy comes to with lies?

We remember and thank God that we know that the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy but Christ came so that we may have life, and have it ABUNDANTLY!!! (John 10:10).

Believing in you,
Cori

Time for a Heart Check!

HEART CHECK - WHAT IS THE TREASURE OF YOUR HEART?

What we say is a reflection of our hearts.

Matthew 12:35:
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil things”

Luke 6:43-45:
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. 45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

What is the treasure in your heart? What is in your heart that is flowing out of your mouth?

February is a month of love and I think it is time for a HEART CHECK!

We so often try to control what comes OUT of our hearts (treasure stored) but what about what we allow INTO our hearts! (Treasure deposited). What we allow in is what creates the state of our heart, and determines what treasure we have, and thus what is coming out of our mouth.

We must guard what is the treasure in our hearts! If we control what goes in, we control the state of our hearts and what flows out!

Our confession is then, a by product of what is in our hearts!

Last Sunday, Pastor Michael talked about guarding our hearts and being careful what we love. He touched on loving God First!

Well, we know that God is His Word!

John 1:1-5 says:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend[a] it.

How that translates for me is God IN=God OUT in my own life. The more God and His word I put in, the more it comes out. That is my goal, that this becomes the treasure of my heart!


I got to thinking/meditating on that and I thought of a beautiful garden (my heart)…
As you know, this past year has been a lot about me reinventing ME, pruing ME and starting over. Now, I love to garden. I love to plant and tend and watch the flowers grow and bloom. I wait expectantly for the blossom and then for it to open! I love all kinds of flowers and gardening and am super excited that I moved back to Northern California because in Vegas NOT ONE THING WILL GROW…lol. So, the environment was really important to the plants I want to harvest like sweet peas and daffodils, and bulbs like that as well as impatients. I can’t wait for SPRING!!!!!!!!

Well, I know, just like everyone who gardens, that with the plants will come some weeds and so, part of gardening is pulling up the weeds so they don’t come along and have the chance to choke out the flower seeds before they can grow strong, right?

Well, my life and heart is just like that garden…in fact we are like soil, right? And I spent some time letting my garden go and letting weeds grow up and get bigger and bigger. They (the cares of the world) overtook my dreams and desires of my heart that I KNOW were from the Lord. I started to give up or to really believe all those lies (the weeds) and I even started to say it “I am not ever having a relationship again” “I am not a good choice….I can’t pick any good ones.” That is what was in my heart. I put it there.

Is that happening to you? It did to me and I then made up stories to justify it…I don’t DESERVE a Godly husband….I am NOT good enough….get the idea?

Mark 4 outlines the parable of the seed and the sower. We know this parable, right…sower sows seed, different ground types, we are the soil or the ground, the seed is the word, right?

Look in Mark 4 beginning at 14:

14 The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. 18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

What chokes the seed in this explanation? The cares of the world, deceitfulness of riches, desires for other things!!!! Is that a foundation for “evil treasure”? I wonder (just my opinion but something to think about, no?) But more importantly, WHO comes to TAKE AWAY THE SEED IN THEIR HEARTS????

Satan………he comes and tells us about the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches, etc.

So what causes the sidebar of focus being distracted? What shows us the things of society and the world? Magazines….music….radio…television? What is it for you and what do we do with it all?

OK, so let’s change the FOCUS!!!!!

Let’s focus on what the TRUTH says!!!!

Philippians 4:8-9: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you"

Philippians 4:6:7: “Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, tell your requests to God in your every prayer and petition-with thanksgiving. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

What guards our hearts: PEACE OF GOD
How do we get it: Thinking on….Phil 4:89

OK, so one part it is what we think. How do we deal then with what we put into our brains that causes us to think?

Well how about when we realize the lies we are saying, we stop ourselves and edit what we are allowing by feeding it back to ourselves correctly?

Here is one I came up with:

Lie: God has forgotten me.
Truth: God will never forget me

Isaiah 49:15-16
15 “ Can a woman forget her nursing child,
And not have compassion on the son of her womb?
Surely they may forget,
Yet I will not forget you.
16 See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
Your walls are continually before Me.

F...E...A...R...

F…E…A…R…

False…Evidence….Appearing….Real….

This past Saturday I had a situation crop up in my life during a conversation with a friend in my car as I was driving. During the conversation I became overwhelmed with fear. At first, thoughts of my past did grip me - a circumstance where I was exited out of a moving vehicle and had to walk home - did come back to my mind. However, I was completely safe and the physical reaction that rose up in me didn’t match the conversation, other than I was driving on the freeway at the time with my friend as a passenger.

Slowly, an old habit of anxiety came over me. In an attempt to thwart its existence and calm myself I became defensive - deflecting the conversation - in an attempt to make it stop. It didn’t work. I was unable to communicate what was happening and it just kept getting worse and worse.

The anxiety rose and it took a lot to pull into my destination. My breathing was all out-of-whack - I didn’t know what to do. Finally, I had to exit the car for a minute or two and take some deep breaths and separate myself and pray it off of me.

I was mad! None of it was real…I was perfectly safe. My friend had no idea what was happening…I was embarrassed…

I stood on the street outside the car and the Holy Spirit reminded me:

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18

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." Romans 8:15

It went away.

I do believe that fear is the enemy’s #1 weapon in his arsenal against believers. If he can get us to fear, then he can help us fall victim to worry and other parts of sin… the “what ifs” then can plague our lives, almost becoming a paralyzing force (at least for me).

Yet fear is not tangible. We THINK something may happen and so we are fearful or a past situation or circumstance makes us think we are there again (as in the car situation with me on Saturday.)

Some would say I suffered a trauma and, thus, suffer from a sort of PTSD from past. Maybe so yet I only know that I can be transformed by the renewing of my mind according to the Word.
How on earth to we drive fear from us? 1 John 4 says that perfect love is what casts it out.

What is love?

He that loves not knows not God; for God is love. 1 John 4:8