It's good to be here, and it's good to know our lives can be transformed from old ways to new ways and happier experiences. It's a process and some things take more effort than others. As I mentioned in an Instagram post this morning, I would share a journal entry from last year. So, I will do just that. I wasn't always one to be so vulnerable as to share times of fearfulness, insecurities, and helplessness, but I've come to a place in my life and a place of healing where it's important to me that others know. Not just knowing from a place of knowledge, but a place of encouragement and hope for a better future and personal growth.
I wrote this after a conference, and it was a prayerful time, it was a fun time, and God showed this to me.
So, the Journal entry reads;
You're in a new season! You're no longer stuck! Your mind is not stuck on the old thoughts. Everything is made new. New beginnings and to recognize the battle we are in. Recognize the cycle when the devil comes to steal and distract. You know it! You know it and you are familiar with what it feels like.
The scripture that came to my mind when I wrote this down was Isaiah 43:18-19
'Do not go back to the old things, the former things. Do not even consider them. See, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; you will be aware of it. I will even make a way in the wilderness and bring forth water in the desert.' That's God saying that!
Wow! I was blown away because it was a real tangible experience for me. The feelings that came along with certain experiences and times of anxiousness, had a certain recognizable trait. They were all rooted in fear and made me feel awful and reactionary.
Most everyone knows what it's like to be afraid and believe me it's not fun. So as soon as those feelings would rise up within me, I would close my eyes and just focus on Jesus' face and say, Jesus! You did not give me a spirit of fear, but power, love, and a sound mind! Which is found in the Bible in 2 Timothy 1:7
I was quick to realize that fear is rooted in all the things that keep us going in a circle of hopelessness. It becomes a prison, and fear causes us to lose our focus. Fear causes us to listen to outside influences, it causes us to self-sabotage and create undue trouble, and problems for ourselves and others. Fear keeps us from being able to work for our goals and fight our daily battles. Fear causes us to doubt God and forget his truth and promises for us. Fear makes us doubt ourselves and those around us that love us. Fear creates shame and timidity.
There are so many scriptures warning us to not fear. These are just a few. Deuteronomy 3:22,Deuteronomy 31:6,Joshua 1:9,Psalm 23,Psalm 34:4,Psalm 34:7,Psalm 55:22,Psalm 56:3,
Psalm 91,Psalm 94:19,Psalm 138:8,Proverbs 3:5-6,Proverbs 12:25,Proverbs 29:25
So I prayed a prayer a long time ago, asking God to show me and give me a quick sense of when I was getting off track and my emotions were getting shaken. I prayed for supernatural awareness. Just like the smell of a certain type of food, he has done just that. I can identify fear now unlike any time in my life and I know that sounds weird, but it's true.
I will say the triggers are different for everyone and different situations and circumstances can set us into a tumble. But when we make a decision to turn to Father quickly and expect his help, and not to partner with old circular thought patterns which are all based in fear. Plus, the devil knows our weaknesses and is ready to pounce if we give him permission. Permission comes in agreeing with our weaknesses and just reacting. We aren't perfect and we will fail, but it takes practice just like working out and strengthening our muscles, we will get stronger and stronger. It's a prayerful process.
Fear has a way of manipulating the reality of our lives.
So here's just a list of tools that have worked for me and I will say this because I've applied them, mostly because I made a decision in the toughest times.
Reading scripture and praying over my life and mind!
Dr. Henry Cloud's books and videos
Not isolating myself and becoming part of a community of like-minded people who weren't afraid to open up and be vulnerable together.
I listen to Bill Johnson from Bethel Church in Redding California and many books on Audible as I drive to and from work.
Soon,
I will add a resource page so you can just go on and purchase from the website.
I pray you are given everything you need as we fight this spiritual battle on Earth. Father God is a good God! And all we have to do is decide to reach out to him!
He loves you and so do I❤️🙏
Reach out through email. Follow me at @ candi_holtzclaw