Where The Rubber Meets The Road

Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.  I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. {Isaiah 41:10, The Message}

Okay, then. Isn’t this just the most encouraging verse?! I so love the line that says, “…keep a firm grip on you.” I LOVE THAT. And I need it. Don’t we all?

Reading this verse and hearing this truth makes my heart feel more at peace. You guys – I have totally battled fear in my life. At times it was almost unbearable. I remember just after having my son, my firstborn, being afraid of holding him while walking down the stairs! And that was just the tip of the iceberg.

The fear and anxiety was so strong – it truly crippled me in so many ways.

I wasted so many days being afraid and not trusting that God had a good grip on me. It took a bit of time, some medication, and a lot of reminders of WHO God is to bring me out of the pit of fear. Have I ever been afraid again? You bet! But it doesn’t have a hold on me like it used to. When fear tries to poison my heart I throw on some good worship tunes, or flip to a verse like this one and breathe in the truth that God is with me, HE will help me, He keeps me steady. You see – nothing surprises Him.

He knows where we’re at. He knows that I struggle. He knows sometimes I am afraid.

He knows I’ve wondered how I was ever going to make it as a single Momma. He knows I’m not perfect. AND THAT’S OKAY. Because HE’s got a good grip on me. HE’s the one whispering gently to my heart: Do not be afraid, girlie – I’ve got you. Do you know that that words Do Not Be Afraid are written in the Bible 365 times. That’s one for every day! And if that isn’t trying to get the message across, then I don’t know what is!

I’ve been through some hard stuff. Really hard stuff.

You have been through some really hard stuff.

I’ve been afraid. Very afraid. You’ve been very afraid. But this one thing I know that I know that I know: God IS with me. God IS with you. You can count on that. I know some days might not feel like it, but He is right there, never leaving you. I know it with my whole entire heart.

And, as my Daddy used to say (wait…is that a song?): “Girls, this is where the rubber meets the road – either you trust Him or you don’t.”

Girls – you can trust the One that holds your most precious, beautiful heart. You can trust Him with your fears, your worries, your anxieties, your tears, your pain, your everything. You can trust Him to hold you, to help you, to steady you, to sing over you, to carry you, and to so deeply love you. He’s got a firm grip on you. ☺

Now…doesn’t that just make breathing a lot easier?

I think I might just do a little happy dance in the kitchen…