Hello, hello, hello!

I’m so glad you’ve carved out some time for a little heart to heart inspiration. Ya girl is so ready to dive right into this topic because it’s one that should certainly be exposed for its ugly truth.

Earlier in the month, I had the honor of being the guest speaker at my church, ACG Ministries, for Resurrection “Easter” Sunday. In the message that I delivered, I spoke about the “F” word. Yes, you read it right…the “F” word. Don’t act like you don’t know what four letter word I’m talking about. FEAR!!!

There’s so much that can be said about Fear. It’s familiar. It’s frightening. It’s NOT of God.

Fear is not a friend. In fact, if you’ve ever met Fear, you know that its presence is unsettling. Its presence brings along anxiety, panic, horror. Fear will set off the alarm, “danger, danger, danger” when there’s no real danger at all. Oh the lies, fear tell.

Fear will tell you, “you’re not good enough”.

Fear will tell you, “it will never happen”.

Fear will tell you, “you’re a failure”.

Fear will tell you, “things will never get better”.

Fear will tell you, “there’s no way out”.

Fear will tell you, “nobody cares”.

Lie, after lie, after lie…fear speaks. And, if we can be honest…if you hang out with Fear long enough, the lies become believable. You may feel like you’re not good enough because you gave your best shot but, your best shot didn’t quite cut the cake. Maybe, you’ve had perfect attendance, stayed up late to create the lesson plans, and ensured your students were prepared for an enhanced learning experience, yet you were not chosen to be Teacher of the Year. Perhaps, you were not voted to be President of the organization you’ve been dedicated to and have served for years. Maybe, you invested your all into getting the business started, but business isn’t booming like you thought it would. Fear grips your thoughts and hold you hostage and say, “you’re not good enough” with hopes that you will throw in the towel. An overbearing feeling consumes you as you consider that maybe you’re just not “the one” to get the job done. You’re afraid.

You may believe getting your degree will never happen or that you will never get the job. You’ve worked tirelessly for years, but the promotion hasn’t come. You’ve studied and studied for the exam, but repeatedly missed the mark. You wrote the book, submitted it for publication, but it hasn’t been accepted. Fear whispers, “you’re a failure” with hopes that you will not try again. When you’ve hung out with Fear for too long, you forfeit taking another chance and putting your best foot forward.

You may believe your health will never get better or that your marriage will crumble. You may believe your child will never get his or her act together. You’ve prayed and prayed, but a change hasn’t come. Hopelessness sets in and each day you wrestle with distressing thoughts. You find yourself with a heavy heart and struggling to defeat depression. Out of fear, you believe beginning a new day is worthless. You think, “things will never get better”.

You may believe there is no way out of debt and that you will remain financially stuck. You worry about bills. You worry about losing your possessions. You worry about not having food on the table. On another note, you may have been stuck in the cycle of an unhealthy relationship and feel as though there’s no way to end the toxicity. Fear encourages you to settle.

You may really feel alone because no one seems to understand your situation.

If you’ve wrestled with any of these types of thoughts mentioned above understand that you have hung out with Fear for far too long.

There is another “F” word I discussed on Resurrection Sunday. This “F” word is called Faith. Over the years, Faith has become a best friend. This day, I want to encourage you to rely on Faith.

When Faith shows up, Fear backs down.

When Fear says, “Panic”, Faith says, “Pray”.

You may have fallen down seven times, but Faith says “Get back up!”

Your project may have failed, but Faith says, “Try again!”

Your credit score may not be where you need it to be, but Faith says, “You’re approved!”

When you feel like giving up and throwing in the towel, Faith says, “Hold on just a little while longer.”

All Faith needs is for you to do is believe. Jesus said, “All things are possible for one who believes” (Mark 9:23). It’s time for you to add some fuel to your faith.

I don’t know who this message is for but, it’s time to introduce Fear to your Faith in God.

Somebody wants to go back to school, but Fear won’t let you. You’re worried about tuition. You’re worried about being too old. You’re afraid because now you’re a parent and have more responsibilities. I stopped by to interrupt Fear’s flow and remind you to rely on your Faith. If God has placed it on your heart to return to school, allow your Faith in God to lead the way. If God has placed it on your heart to begin dating again, let Him lead the way.

You may not have all the details, but trust that ALL things will work together for your good.

The word of God tells us that “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

What are you hoping for? Whatever it is, believe that it can and WILL happen. You may not be able to see it right now, but we are encouraged to “write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it” (Habakkuk 2:2).

Don’t lose hope in your dreams. Don’t lose sight of where you are going. Don’t doubt where God wants you to be.

Remember this: “…God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

Just in case no one told you, “You have POWER.”

Just in case no one told you, “You have LOVE.”

Just in case no one told you, “You have a SOUND MIND.”

I didn’t make this stuff up. Hold on to your Faith. You may ask how? Tell yourself GOOD things. Declare good things over your life and over the lives of everyone connected to you.

“You are the lender and not the borrower” (Deuteronomy 28:12).

“You are the head and not the tail” (Deuteronomy 28:13).

“You are above and not beneath” (Deuteronomy 28:13).

“You shall live and NOT die” (Psalm 118:17).

It is God’s desire that you be in good health and that your soul prospers (3 John 1:2).

Get up from where you are. Don’t stay there! Be determined to succeed. Do not allow Fear to cripple you any longer.

When Fear meets Faith, it becomes powerless and you become fearLESS.

I love you and God bless!

From my heart to yours,

Takelia H.

“The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” ~Nelson Mandela