It’s Okay to Be Uncomfortable
“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love” (1 John 4:18).
My darling, I am not in the fear. I am in a new place, a separate place outside of it.
Step away, with Me.
There is refreshment here. A new place to stand. There is room to move, to breathe, to spread your arms wide, hands open, fingers stretched, head relaxed.
I have work for you to do with Me, yes. We will go, and I will push you to lean on Me and trust Me and do things uncomfortable for you to do alone.
But you don’t go alone, my dear.
And when you are with Me in the place that could feel so uncomfortable and stress-filled, on your own—when you depend on your own strength, when you look to yourself for answers—you can rest and relax in my presence. You can head out into new territory with Me and not feel scared.
Sometimes I don’t tell you why it is I’ve asked for you to go to a new place with Me. And that can feel uncomfortable, too. I know how you like answers.
But don’t not go to this new place with Me because fear grabs hold of your heart. Don’t let fear paralyze this girl-amazing-woman whom I love and adore so that fear is more powerful than this truth: I am here with you, holding your hand, not leaving your side. I am enough. My presence is enough. Where I take you is enough. You are free here, in this place with Me, outside of fear and no longer trapped.
Stand up straight, girl.
Stand up.
You are not made to cower and fret and wring your hands. You are made to walk with eyes up, head held high, so you can see the path I take you. Together we go, just one step at a time, and into territory that may be unknown but will be safe and familiar too . . . because I will be there.
And I am your home.
|| More Resources For You ||
What is the value of creative play? Maybe we’re quick to recognize the benefits for children, whose minds are still developing and stretching, but what about for adults? What value—if any—is there in seriously pursuing our hobbies, even if they don’t make money or serve a so-called higher purpose? Let’s take a moment to think and pray about this as we read this quote: “Certainly, every hobbyist who plays within community will get the chance to reorient themselves to the connections God has made us for. Hobby clubs, groups, and teams not only allow us to worship together, but they also remind us that we aren’t alone in this world. They urge us to renew the communal ties that so many of us have lost in an individualistic culture.” → From “Created to Play” over at Rapt
As you walk into the rest of our day, I pray you would carry these words within your spirit: “What is it you are feeling now? And can that feeling be trusted? Is it true? For what is underneath that feeling? And what is underneath that? It is time to do some work that involves less accomplishment—getting something done on a task sheet—and more relationship—listening to My voice and spending time with Me. For when you do, you will have My companionship. And this companionship will ground you and bring you deeper rest than achievement.” → From our “Working on Relationship” FLAG devotional. You can download it for free here and share it with anyone God puts on your heart.
I don’t want to do this anymore. How much longer, God? Why this? If you’ve ever spoken these words in desperate—or perhaps exhausted—prayer to the Lord, please know you’re not the only one. So many of your sisters have uttered the same phrases, the same desperation. In this moving article, Annie Wesche describes three distinct moments in her life when she’s prayed these kinds of prayers—and how the sweet Spirit of Jesus met her in that darkness.
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