F.E.A.R. When I think or hear this word, I know what it looks like in my life. I can feel it, smell it, and vision it. The reason is that I have stared it in the face more times than I care to admit.

Last Sunday morning, I woke up feeling defeated, discouraged, and worn out. The past few months have been an emotional roller coaster. I didn’t think I had the strength to get ready for the upcoming church service, nor did I have the desire to do so.

This morning I was up early before the light had time to peek through my windows. A soft rain is also falling. I often will pick a day at random where I will praise God for all His goodness. I won’t pray to ask for anything during that day. It’s a time where I try to pay attention and be more aware of Him throughout that day. Today is one of those days.

Recently, my son and his wife went to a local animal shelter looking for a new addition to their family. They noticed a white and gray cat around nine months old. No one seemed to want this cat because he had trouble seeing out of his right eye. Once treated, he spent a long time in a glass box, with the only contact being the workers. He broke my daughter-in-law’s heart, so for the asking price of five dollars, they purchased him. Our newest addition to the family is now Owen.

My Pastor recently preached a message from Luke 19:29-40 titled, “If a Donkey Can Do It You Can Too.” The message I thought was excellent. But what struck me the most was the last few verses he read that morning.

So, this week I let my feelings get hurt, and I acted out in silence. I’m sure you know what I mean by acted out in silence. My thoughts were to treat that person the way I felt I was being treated.

Ever wonder why we go through trials and temptations? Me too! Lately, I’ve asked that very same question. I couldn’t understand why everything had to be so hard. Some days it feels like there’s just no relief from Satan’s fiery. Needless to say, it’s left me frustrated with not an answer in sight. So I thought.

I love doing word studies as part of digging deeper into God’s Word. One word that has got me lately is the word “ransom.” Guys, this use to be a word that I always read in the scriptures, but never gave much thought. Until now! I have no idea why it seemed to leap off the page at me when I was studying. But I’m so glad it did. Because now it has shed a whole new light on what God did for me.

So, last week was rough. How was yours? I find it strange how one minute you feel strong and the next, it’s as if your feet were knocked out from in under you. At least that’s how I felt. In the midst of the hard, though, came God’s assurance as I read from Isaiah 41. Verse 10 kept echoing in my mind: “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

A verse that has been a great help in our house lately is Philippians 4:8. We have it wrote on our bathroom mirror. It’s a reminder to only think on these things that are true instead of believing something that we don’t know to be factual in any given circumstance. It’s helped us to stay focused on what’s true and positive.