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Katie M. Reid

Finding Grace in the Unraveling of Life

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in Encouragement· Unraveling Grace

Unraveling Grace: Beating Inflating Fears

Welcome to the third installment of the Unraveling Grace Series. It is such a joy to host other writers here as they share from the heart and help us unwind in His presence.

Get caught up on the series here:
January: Hurts, Hope and Healing by Jennifer Watson
February: For the One Who Doubts God’s Sovereignty by Abby McDonald

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I met Kelly at the She Speaks Conference and it has been a gift to get to know her better this past year. Kelly hosts the #RaRaLinkup on Tuesdays and delights in encouraging others. I am so glad that she is sharing with us today as she talks about facing fears.

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Kelly, often called a “Cheerleader of Faith”, encourages others to live with passion and purpose. While Kelly has suffered through various mental, physical and financial trials, she has found God’s light in these dark places.

Her greatest desire is to come alongside others who are struggling, so they may see God has been holding their hand the whole time.

When Kelly isn’t writing on her blog, Purposeful Faith, Crosswalk.com, Internet Cafe Devotions, tweeting or posting on Facebook, you will find her devouring yummy food with her husband, laughing with her toddlers or searching for her next travel destination.


Beating Inflating Fears

So often, and I hate to say this, I stand face-to-face with irrational fears.

It doesn’t really matter what the fear is.

It could be my kids getting sick from the coughing kid sitting next to us. My house burning down when I am away. My toilet overflowing from a toddler mishap. My car spinning out in the snow. My house being robbed while we are away. My kids getting hurt.

Fear arrives on a moment’s notice, but stays for what seems like eternity.
In fact, it always overstays its welcome.

No one wants to invite a tyrant over, so I am not even sure why I welcome this iron-fisted ruler into my heart in the first place. But, I do and I often bow down to it. I cower under the pressure. 


Like a balloon, this fear tyrant fills my heart with an air of anxiety; I feel like I may pop at any moment.

Normally, it takes just the tiniest prick to set me off:

  • The prick of an argument. POP!
  • The prick of getting lost. POP!
  • The prick of an annoyance. POP!


Or, at least this has been the case in my life.


In the past, I would pop on the inside, only to explode with irritation, frustration and irrational fear on the outside.


Nowadays, I stand guard. As you can see, there is too much at risk – and frankly, I am tired of being over-tired, over-stressed and over-worried.


“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11).

Today, I arm up in truth as I repeat God’s word back to myself.
I arm up with prayer for whatever my worry is.
I arm up with the power of Christ’s never ending grace – for myself and the situation.
I arm up with the knowledge that Christ is always with me, no matter what comes against.
I arm up righteous thoughts so a hypothesis does not turn into a neurosis.
I arm up with faith that God knows better than me – and that his plans are for good.

I arm up with the gospel that always secures me in the love of Jesus.
I arm up with readiness that keeps an eye out for the mean tyrant’s arrival.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

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Let’s stop submitting to mean tyrants. Because we can’t be submitting to both. We are either submitting to God or we are submitting to the devil and when Jesus is on our side, he always has a better option for us. He always has a way of escape.

Jesus could have feared the worst when he went on the cross, but he knew who was boss. He knew who was fighting for him. He knew who ruled and he knew the best way of escape was pure submission to the will of his Father.

Look how Jesus has blessed us today through his surrender.

You see, dear friends, what God has shown me is one of the greatest joys of my life. It flips the fear tyrant right over on his head. This is: Nothing we do – or that comes against – can ever separate us from the love of Christ Jesus.

In this, what do we really have to fear?

We are entirely loved, entirely adored, entirely provided for and entirely taken care of.

Jesus breaks down all fears so we may see them for what they are – unreasonable and unlikely doomsday scenarios.

But, the choice still remains ours:

  • Will we walk by faith? Or, will we walk with fear?
  • Will we arm up? Or, will we back down?
  • Will we resist and submit? Or will we cower to the fist?


I don’t know about you but I am ready to stand up and fight. Will you join me? Will you put up your guard and lift your shield – only to lay down in complete submission to your Savior? 

He will protect you.

Standing Strong in Him,
Kelly

P.S. Linking up today with Meredith for Woman 2 Woman, Jennifer for #TellHisStory, Holley for Coffee for Your Heart 

and Kristin for Three Word Wednesday. Come join us as we grow in grace together. 

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Filed Under: Encouragement, Unraveling Grace Tagged With: fear, hope, scripture, truth

Previous Post: « Good Grief & Hard Peace (Book Reviews)
Next Post: Dear Tightly Wound Woman (Waltzing With Wisdom) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Joanne Viola says

    March 25, 2015 at 9:00 am

    Wonderful post. This here is so true > “Fear arrives on a moment’s notice, but stays for what seems like eternity. In fact, it always overstays its welcome.” May we become more intentional in showing fear to the curb. Blessings to you both today!

    • Katie says

      March 25, 2015 at 9:30 am

      Kicking fear to the curb- love that Joanne!:)

    • Kelly Balarie says

      March 25, 2015 at 1:40 pm

      I completely agree with you Joanne and Katie. Let’s rise up and kick that fear out before it gets a stronghold in our lives.

  2. Kristin Hill Taylor says

    March 25, 2015 at 9:37 am

    It’s amazing when I start making my way through #ThreeWordWednesday posts and God weaves together a theme. This morning? How his perfect love casts out fear. It’s the message that prompted my own Dwell on God post and the one that’s being echoed with so much encouragement today in other’s words. Thank you, Kelly, for sharing these words, and Katie, for hosting and linking up.

    • Kelly Balarie says

      March 25, 2015 at 1:42 pm

      I love how God presents themes too. It is almost as if he wants to send a key message for a key time. Let’s dwell on the Lord in all his goodness today and tomorrow.

  3. Courtney Stanford says

    March 25, 2015 at 12:17 pm

    Oh, sweet Kelly! I can SO relate to you right now, Sister!!! This. I get this! You are speaking such truth. We cannot submit to both: the schemes of the enemy and the peace of God at the same time. Word! I choose God, and I must keep choosing His perfect peace again and again. Hugs to you! Your honesty is refreshing today and always! Katie Reid is a brilliant blogger and also knows how to pick wise guest bloggers! You two are a power team! Hugs to you both!! ❤️

    • Kelly Balarie says

      March 25, 2015 at 1:44 pm

      I happen to completely agree with you Courtney. Katie is a fabulous blogger and it is both a joy and an honor to be on her blog today. Her love extends in powerful ways. Hugs right back at you Courtney; I am glad that this message spoke to you. Let’s reside in His “Perfect” peace.

  4. Trudy says

    March 25, 2015 at 4:03 pm

    Joining with you, Kelly. I love the thought that Jesus “knew who ruled and he knew the best way of escape was pure submission to the will of his Father.” Longing in my heart to follow in His footsteps and surrender all to God. Thank you for your faith cheering, both to you and to Katie!

  5. Becky Keife says

    March 25, 2015 at 5:27 pm

    What gracious and powerful authority we have in Christ to overcome our fears with His truth. Thanks for this important reminder! Glad to visiting from Holley’s place.

  6. Ifeoma Samuel says

    March 26, 2015 at 5:44 am

    Hi Kelly, I always enjoy reading your articles. Thank you for sharing it with Katie and ‘us’ her readers today.
    I am ready to complete submit to His Will.
    Loads of blessings

  7. Cindy says

    March 26, 2015 at 8:51 am

    Greetings in Jesus’ Name:
    Thank you so much for sharing these truths. Wow! As I read it, I was putting my hands up in the air and thanking God for His provision when we fear. I would like to add two thoughts. One is when we speak of the devil and his wiles. We must remember the enemy is three-fold – the world, the flesh and the devil. All three of these try to attack, and God has given us a way of escape.Let’s not attribute everything to the devil; we must take responsibility for our flesh and guard against the lures of the world. Secondly, “…nothing that. . . comes against . . . ” reminds me that we have Holy Spirit who comes along aside us against. . . Praise God! God continue to bless you all richly! Because of Jesus, Cindy

  8. Mary Gemmill says

    March 26, 2015 at 11:50 pm

    Boy was this right on time when fear has just hit…..I am armed to fight it now and overcome it…thank you so much for this timely post…this whole series has ministered to me DEEPLY and I am so very grateful.

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Hi, I'm Katie (a Modern Martha, wife, and mom to five). I'm so glad you're here! Let's enjoy some cut-to-the-chase conversation over hot or iced tea, as we find grace in the unraveling of life (together). Let's exchange try-hard striving for hope-filled freedom as we settle into our position as a doer and a daughter—created by a Loving Father.

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