Redeemed from fear.  I have struggled with fear for a long time in my life.  Fear began to show itself early on in my life.  It wasn't just one thing I was fearful of like spiders or bugs, even though these are legit fears, my fears were more than just something I could squash with my foot.  These fears would leave me breathless, frozen, and they would strangle the life out of me. My fears overlapped and effected every area of my life.

No these fears were real. VERY. REAL. just like YOUR fears are very real.  I was so fearful as a child that I didn't sleep alone until I was twelve, and even then most nights I would sleep with my light on and my brother would come and turn it off before he went to bed.  I would sleep with my Bible and in the middle of my bed under my covers in a fetal position most nights.  There are very deep and personal reasons why I struggled with fear so badly, of which I am not sure I am quite ready to publish for the entire blogging world to read.

However, I am not concerned to much with the reasons for your fears or mine as much as I am with SHOUTING out from the roof tops that, I. AM. REDEEMED. I am redeemed from fear.  I know ultimately the reason for my fear and yours is the enemy. The enemy of our souls, he is as real as the fear that has held you captive for so many years. BUT the LORD HE IS as REAL and has CRUSHED the enemy.

The enemy came to steal kill and destroy, but HE, HE came to give life and life more abundantly.  (John 10:10)  He did just that for me.  I honestly can't remember the exact moment I released the fear that held so tightly to my hand and controlled me.  I think that it was actually more of a process as my faith grew in Christ, and as He grew in me.  

I will say that it was definitely a process one of which I am excited to share with you.   Come back in the coming days and weeks to hear more of the process, the journey, and the story of redemption.  I will also say that it was and still is today a day by day process.  A deep breath in and a deep exhale.  I breathe in HIS courage and spirit and exhale my fear and flesh.  With each new step of faith I take, I can feel myself get stronger.   I am learning and growing ever more confident in the promise that HE has not given me a spirit of fear, but of POWER, LOVE, And a SOUND mind.  I am full of His spirit, and I have power, He is full of power and that same power is living inside of me.  He is love and I will not be afraid to love and love hard and strong.  He will not leave me and will not let me down.  I can love him because HE loves me.  I have everything that He is, I have the mind of Christ.  I am emotionally and mentally stable.  He is consistent and faithful and He has given me everything that He is. This fires me up.  It sets me free. I am more than a conquer and I can crush any fear that comes my way, even bugs.

Sometimes you don't know how strong you are until you face your challenges and test your limits.  I make myself do things now that I thought I'd NEVER be able to do, even small things like taking a hike or running a 5K. These may be small and seemingly insignificant, but to me these were HUGE accomplishments, milestones, game changers, and with each victory I became a little stronger, more confident, and has helped me overcome fear in my life. Maybe this is why He gave me to wonderful boys because HE knew they would challenge me, inspire me, and test my limits physically, mentally, and spiritually.  They cause me to want to face, conquer, and crush every ounce of fear that tries to creep in.  They make me want to be the BEST me I can be, they reinforce the principles in my own life that I am trying to teach them.  How can I tell them they can swim or jump off a floating dock and not be willing or brave enough to do those things,  and set an example.  I want nothing more than to teach, show, and lead them by example.  I don't want anything to limit them or me as a child of God.  SO I will continue to say so, continue to set goals, and dreams that empower me to lead my children and overcome fear so that I can live a life of strength, courage, and power.

Before My first 5K

Finishing my first 5K

This was a year ago, after hiking.

What about you would you like to share some of your fears, and how He redeemed you?  Was your freedom from this area more of your life a journey or can you remember an altar moment when you knew you were redeemed and set free?