Monday, January 31, 2011

Fear

  Have you ever had a nightmare that left you paralyzed with fear? I seem to suffer from these every once in awhile since childhood. But, last night was the first one in many years. I was just telling the hubby that we shouldn't let the kids play Cabela's Hunting game for the Wii right before bed. Since what you watch or talk about right before bed can transfer over to your dreams at night. Little did I know that I should have listened to my own advice!

 
Photo credit: hotblack from morguefile.com
  There is this show called "I Should Be Alive!" on Animal Planet. It's about humans who have endured torturous days being stuck in the Outback, on side of a mountain in the French Alps, in a crevasse, surviving an avalanche in Transylvania, and the list goes on! Really it's quite educational on the "what not to do's" or the "what to do's" of survival. The only kicker is that some of them are pretty intense. Bob and I sit there thinking "I never would have survived that!" "How on earth did they make it!" Check it out sometime if you get the opportunity...just don't watch it before you go to sleep! lol 

 
Photo credit: kaagen from morguefile.com
  Another show called "Wild Justice" is about poachers in California. It's a little cheesy, but interesting at the same time.  They are fish, game, and wildlife cops that are trying to catch poachers in the act.

  These 2 shows combined before bed...make for a horrible nightmare! No, seriously, bad nightmare. I woke up and couldn't figure out why I couldn't feel my arms and legs. Everything was tingly and felt so weird. I remember being so stricken with fear that I could hardly breath...even though I knew it was a dream. Once I realized that I was clenching my fists, I released them and feeling started to come back. I was so out of sorts that I honestly thought to myself "did I just have stroke?" No joke. My body felt so drained and wacky. I couldn't really think clearly and I was so drained and tired. My entire body was soaked with sweat, my heart was beating in my ears, and I just kept thinking something traumatic just happened. I really did go through all the things that you should do with a stroke victim...can I say "Sunday" or speak clearly?...can I smile correctly?...can I raise my arms up? It was absolutely terrifying! I know I sound totally crazy, but it was so bizarre that I had to share.

  Once I got control over my shock of everything, I reached for my Bible. 

Proverbs 3:25-26
Do not be afraid of sudden terror
or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,
for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught.

Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid? 
Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
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. 
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?

Isaiah 41:10
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 41:13
For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Matthew 10:26
Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known.

Matthew 10:28
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 
 Hebrews 13:5-6
For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" 

  This type of fear is not healthy and not from the Lord.  You need to put on The Whole Armor of God and give it to Him.  
"Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints...."  Ephesians 6:10-18

Photo credit: earl53 from morguefile.com
  The rest of my sleep was peaceful and quiet, something that only comes from the Lord...

2 comments:

  1. i've been thinking a lot through 1pt3:5 a lot lately. fear is a big issue for me, and something i am constantly giving to the Lord. ".....as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you are good and do not fear anything frightening." i think giving it, your fears, to the Lord is huge! and then replacing those fears with truth from His world. i also have to remember that i am a work in progress, and that HE is not through with me yet.

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