Dear Friend (Personal)
This was going to be a regular post to end our week together about conquering fear of the future. But as I sat down to write, I took a deep breath, and simply confessed: Lord, I’m just not that profound, and Bob and I are definitely not perfect. We make spelling mistakes, and we certainly don’t pretend to have all the answers, but you know, Lord, I’m choosing to remember that I am loved by you. Always. When I make mistakes and when I don’t feel like an overcomer, I know your life is in me, and because of that simple reality, there is no room for hopelessness. Or fear of the future for that matter. Ever.
You normally wouldn’t ever read that personal prayer. But as a look behind the scenes, when I sit down to write this daily post, instead of typing out the words that eventually become the page that you read, I pause and simply write out my personal prayer as a surrender to the Lord.
Today as I was typing out my prayer, I chose to “see” Jesus sitting right close beside me, I heard Him speak to my heart, not calling me by my real name, but He called me “Sweetness and Sunshine”. (I am being courageously honest…and I hesitate to be this transparent, in case someone doesn’t understand my heart, but I believe I am to share this).
The moment I heard those words, the Holy Spirit downloaded truth into my heart:
Because Jesus has named me “sunshine and sweetness” I have a very beautiful, wonderful, adventure-filled future. Because Jesus is beside me right now, smiling at me, I can’t feel anything but love. And that love has just chased fear away. In an instant I am washed of any fear of the future. The haunting and daunting lies are swished away in one moment of God’s waterfall of favor and friendship. Tears of feeling extraordinarily loved, refreshed by His mercy, at rest in His strength feel like sweetness as they trickle down my cheeks.
Sometimes I feel tired, but I’m not forsaken.
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed, but I’m not alone.
Sometimes I feel weak, but He’s the strong One who lives in my heart.
Sometimes I feel numb, but He awakens me by calling me His own.
One moment in His presence, tuning out the noise of the world and hearing His voice of Love is all we need to truly chase away the fear of the future. We don’t have to follow a perfect plan, or attempt to be profound in our approach to living. Just like a child who recognizes their Father’s voice, we need only to hear Him say our names…the ones that describe His heart for us. The personal names that nobody else may ever hear about.
Make this personal for you, and listen for God’s voice to fill in the blanks:
“Because Jesus has named me ___________________I have a very ______________ and ___________________future. Because Jesus is beside me right now, smiling at me, I can’t feel anything but love. And that love has just chased fear away. In an instant I am washed of any fear. The haunting and daunting lies are swished away in one moment of God’s waterfall of favor and friendship.
You are extraordinarily loved, refreshed by His mercy and at rest in His strength.
“You make my life pleasant, and my future is bright” (Psalm 16:6 CEV).
Lots of Love in Jesus,
Audrey