I was so sad to miss out on the Twitter Five Minute Friday party (#FMFParty) once again last night! I had a meeting to go to and it went a bit long... but my heart was in two places! Missed everyone last night... but I am still playing along today!
Five Minute Fridays are hosted by Lisa Jo Baker. It is open to anyone, so to learn more about it - and to jump in yourself (the more the merrier!) or just to find a linky to see what everyone is writing about today - click HERE! The idea is to simply write... for Five Minutes flat... no editing, no deep thinking - or at least REthinking, no spell check - just write! Let it flow! We all write using a prompt that Lisa posts at one minute past midnight Friday morning (EST.) I'm loving the community of amazing bloggers and the creativity that flows from these magical Five Minutes!
So - here goes:
Five Minute Friday - AFRAID
{GO}
Aaahhh yes... my first thoughts when I saw Lisa-Jo's prompt for today. Afraid... it's like a gateway drug to Fear, Worry, & Doubt. Those are like old friends... familiar spirits from long ago... like neighbor kids or cousins who you grew up with and they may not be consistently involved in your life NOW - but back then... well, back then you would play games and stay out past dark... break rules and throw
I come from a long line of Worriers and Doubters... it's as if we felt we were not accomplishing things if we were not worrying about them. Even at a young age, early teen years maybe, I felt a shift begin to happen! I had surrounded myself with some positive people and I made the connection that they seemed to live a whole different life. They seemed to be happier, and at peace, and Oh how I longed for that!
As a new Christian, I had an encounter that I don't often talk about. One night, Fear literally 'showed up' and tried to strangle me. Hands around me throat, squeezing out breath, leaking out what little hope that had began to grow in me. Panic was rising. My knowledge of the Word at that time was limited to say the least. I just kept thinking, "Oh God! Oh God! Save me... please Jesus!"
I was afraid.
Horrified, really.
Then I heard Him... Jesus whispered to my heart, "You need to SPEAK My Name!"
It was tough to gasp in air, but gasp in is what I did... and with all that I could manage, I spoke the Name of Jesus and immediately the encounter was over. Fear was gone... I could breath again. As I rubbed my throat, and sat up in bed, the Lord told me to read Exodus 12. I had no clue where or what it was about, but I opened it up and drank it in! Slowly, my senses returned to normal and His Presence calmed my nerves, and held my heart... I was no longer afraid.
{STOP}
That night was the beginning of being set free from Fear. God supernaturally changed my natural bent and while those old familiar 'friends' still attempt to stop by unannounced, I know now how to deal with them! Sometimes it is not enough to THINK about Jesus. There is power in our tongue and when we SPEAK the Name, things happen! No matter what is facing us, we simply turn our attention and our heart to Him... and He is there!
Praying He has set you free and is continually in the process of changing your bent from fear to faith! And if there is any doubt lingering, any fear trying to make itself at home... breathe this in:
Praying Joshua 1:9 over each of you today!
"Have I not commanded you?
Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous.
Be not afraid, neither be dismayed,
for the Lord your God is with you
wherever you go."
~ Joshua 1:9 (Amplified)
~Karrilee~
Click here to read what others have to say about "AFRAID ":
I came here from 5 Minute Friday. This is awesome. Keep writing, keep strong.
ReplyDeleteexcellent five minute friday write! glad i popped over today. i was encouraged.
ReplyDeleteI so love this and the verse - It brough tears to my eyes "Have I not commanded you..." Commanded? He commands us to strength and courage... needed to see this today Karrilee! So needed to see this!
ReplyDeleteAmen to that! Your post left me speechless and in awe of how God works in our lives. Beautiful post. Thanks for visiting my FMF post. I found you from there.
ReplyDeleteChills!! Power in that Name! Calling out Jesus can be so easy or so hard, but is the dimple remedy for fighting off attacks from the enemy. This is powerful stuff. Maybe we'll catch each other next Thursday night.
ReplyDeleteThe enemy loves to sneak in... the cracks. Make us doubt and question and worry to the point we are sick, Love that you went to God and His word that pushes the enemy out. Love you and thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteSo powerful Karrilee! I've had an encounter or three like the one you described myself. Amazing power in speaking the name of Jesus. They immediately have to flee! No ifs ands or buts! Happy FMF. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing what speaking His name will do. My mom taught me at a young age to call out to Jesus when I am afraid -- and like that, fear is gone. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteOh friend, I too had an encounter with darkness such as this, not just a few days after I came to know the Lord. I thought I would die. I could not breathe. I thought for sure this thing that had hold of me would take me down. But I whispered His name, and I was set free. WOW! Oh he comes to kill, steal and destroy but our God is so much bigger. And this song, so my heart!
ReplyDeleteI found you through "One Word," though, it appears I could also have met you on 5 minute Friday. Following now. ~Blessings.
ReplyDelete