What I Have Been Given
My journey is my own, but I would venture to say that when it comes down to it, it doesn’t look much different from yours. From one day to the next, these things are close to my heart and occupy a great deal of my time and energy.
Raising my kiddos to love and walk with Jesus.
Leaning in to be a loving, “sword-alongside” my husband. (That’s what he calls me.)
My health and the health of my family.
Serving the Lord with courage and obedience to what He has called me to do.
These things are beautiful and as much as they make my heart smile, they are also the very places in which I fight fear.
What if my children walk away from the Lord?
What if my beloved doesn’t return from war? Or doesn’t return my love?
What if those lab results reveal a brokenness in me or in those I love that I wasn’t prepared for?
What if I try to follow hard after Jesus…and fail.
Sound familiar? Perhaps it doesn’t. But I am guessing that it does in some way or another.
Personally, the last few weeks have felt so precarious for me. So many uncertain variables in my life have left me weak in the knees and grasping for solid ground. And then I heard this song and it reminded me of some Truths that trump all the other voices that war for ground in my heart. But before I share about the song, let me share the verse that it draws from:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
We have not been given a spirit of fear.
We have been given a spirit of power, of love, and a sound mind.
Yes, indeed.
I am reminded of another verse that hums with the same Truths and promises:
“You will keep in perfect peace Him whose mind is steadfast, because He trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal.”
Isaiah 26:3-4
I have been given a spirit of POWER and of LOVE. So have you. He will keep our hearts vested in peace, not because everything around us is sunshine and rainbows, but because our anchor is in Him – and He is a rock and a strong tower in times that threaten uncertainty. Those are strong promises, sisters, and they are gifts from Him. Despite how I may feel or the storms that rage, those are the things that belong to me. They belong to you, too.
The song I want to share with you today is called, “Fearless,” by newcomer Jasmine Murray. Based on the verse out of Timothy, it reminded me of what I have been given…and what I have NOT been given. Timely reminder, for sure. Made my heart smile today and I pray that it encourages your heart to anchor deep in the places He has given you to stand courageous and obedient in. On THIS foundation, we can be fearless!
With joy for the journey,
Sarah
Sarah’s heart and passion is to connect worshipers around the globe, with all their gifts and talents, and come before the Throne of God…together. She is a proud Army Chaplain’s wife and homeschool mom of 3 full-throttle kiddos. She and her beloved husband, Jeff, have been married for 21 years.
