I’m joining Kate Motaung for Five Minute Friday. One word prompt. Five minutes. No editing. Lots of women. All of us writing on that same word.
Today the word prompt is … Fear.
It is an emotion experienced by us all on any given day. Maybe not every day but certainly, it is not an emotion unfamiliar to any of us.
I seem to do well during the daytime hours. I am occupied, doing those activities which my awake hours present to me on a daily basis.
But it’s those quiet and still nighttime hours where fear lurks. Often I get out of bed in the hopes of tiring myself out to the point of being able to return to bed and drift off to sleep easily. I know if I grab a book or my Bible, sit and absorb the words before me, my eyes tire.
Or so I thought this is what occurs until the other night …
As I sat reading the very words before me, they brought comfort and an ease to my mind. I was able to get in bed, falling asleep quickly but not out of sheer exhaustion.
“Fear” as defined by dictionary.com is “a distressing emotion”. It encompasses more than being afraid. I read the words before me again:
“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.”
(Psalm 34:4, NLT)
He brings freedom, in the stillness of those sleepless nights, He frees me!
And I am free to fall asleep – not from exhaustion but from peace which the truth of His Word brings to me.
“For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.” (verse 7, NLT)
As I lay before Him those distressing emotions, He brings sleep because I fear Him. As I pray and recognize Him for who He is, coming in reverential awe, He guards my heart and mind bringing the rest I need.
“…but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.” (verse 10b, NLT)
As I lay my fears before Him,
I lack no good thing …
not even sleep.
Today I am joining … Five Minute Friday and Faith Filled Friday and Fellowship Friday and Grace & Truth .
The fear that brings us peace and rest – I love this look at the word fear. When we fear God, we fear nothing else.
Last night was one of those nights for me. I got up to write and found comfort in His words! Thanks for this reminder! ( your neighbor at FMF). Happy Friday to you!
Beautiful post, Joanne. I appreciate the direction you went with the prompt this week. Psalm 34:4 is one of my favorites, too. So glad I stopped over today for a time of rest in yours and in God’s Word. Blessings to you!
I’m with Julie. I love Psalm 34:4 too. You’re right, Joanne. Fear seems to attack us at night more than in the day when we’re busy. Just the other night my husband was gone for an hour or so at a late hour, picking the kids up, and I started to get all kinds of irrational fears. I had to start praying in the name of Jesus. It worked!
Fear is an emotion that creates such anxiety in me; it usually occurs when I am travelling (by any method) or when one of my children or husband travels. I find so much comfort when I turn my worries over to God and pray with Him for comfort and assurance, He is our security and hope! Beautiful post dear friend!! Have a blessed and joyful week! ღ
Denise ღ
Hi Joanne,
Awaking at night with the anxieties that tip toe along after is something that has been happening to me at times these last few years too. I wonder if pre-menopause is part of it. The verse I grab in those moments is short and simple for my sleepy mind then: “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” Thanks for your verses too.
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
This was such an encouraging post. I like the line where you said that “He brings sleep because I fear him.” Fear of the Lord is a good thing….