We were on a trail with drop-offs (down to a high-current creek), walking with my grandchildren ages, 2, 3 and 5.
My daughter-in-law and I saw our fear seeds sprout over and over.
That means we kept seeing in our mind's eye any and every frightening potential outcome: kids over the bank as they raced each other up the trail, falling face down as they skipped delightedly over rocks in the path, finding poison ivy as they tried to walk backwards, skirting the safe edge.
My son calmly said, "All those things are happening in your mind. They are not reality."
What truth.
I look out daily over the field of reality in which I live. It's like someone threw a packet of unwanted seeds that sprout at a moment's notice, playing out horrible scenarios that harm people I love.
It occurs to me to try and change course. How do I weed the field? Better yet, can I somehow remove the unwanted seeds before they sprout?
I wasn't always like this, so something has changed.
Fear is a funny thing. It grips each of us differently. Put me in front of 1000 people with something to say and I won't miss a beat. Put me in front of the wall beside our driveway as the 5-year-old confidently tests her balancing skills and I suddenly can't breathe.
I want to figure this out. I'm asking God to take us on a several-day journey and give us solutions. I know he's the answer but I need to understand the why and how. Maybe you do, too.
I can't live in my mind's fear field, viewing the wrong video, missing the delight of the moment.
Lord, please show us your solution to unwanted fear seeds sprouting.
Tomorrow: God's take on fear.
Comments are welcome at feedyourstrength@gmail.com.
