Fearless

Growing up, there were three of us. But for 10 years, it was just Mike and me.

Mike knew no fear. He WAS a superhero – each day he donned his shorts, cowboy boots, t-shirt, and bath towel safety-pinned around his neck. With one arm outstretched in front of him, he would zoom around the house with lightning speed, cape flying in the breeze behind him. And pity the poor young men who would show any interest in me! Despite being four years younger, he always took the role of protector saying, “Don’t worry, Sissy, I’ll protect you!” and take off after the boy with his superhero karate kicks. He was like a mix of the Flash, Spiderman, Superman, and Clint Eastwood. Fearless.

fear·​less | \ ˈfir-ləs  \
Definition of fearless
: free from fear : BRAVE

Mike had a confidence I didn’t know. As the oldest child, I was calculated, thoughtful, and cautious. I too had a strong protector instinct for my little brother, but it looked differently than his spirit. Mike would jump off second-story landings to protect. I would throw myself on him to keep him from jumping to protect! Mike faced danger. I avoided it.

I’ve been asking the Lord to help me grow in fearlessness this year. Personally, I think the enemy’s greatest weapon of destruction is fear. It can paralyze the unsuspecting, skew our thought processes, and spark doubt about God’s promises. Fear can impact so much that the Lord reminds us 365 times in Scripture to “fear not.” Fear is such a dirty rotten thing and I don’t want its influence in my life any longer. As a daughter of the Most High, I want to be free from fear. I want to be brave in the Lord. Funny thing about growing in fearlessness, though. It requires me to face fear. Hmph. 

Do not dear for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name;
you are mine.
Isaiah 43:1

So the Lord has been giving me some pretty amazing (let’s be honest, scary) opportunities to grow in fearlessness. With each opportunity, I try to remind myself of God’s command to be strong and courageous and the promise that accompanies that command in Deuteronomy. Then He reminds me of my name – who He calls me – Kelly Diane, warrior maiden. He made me to be fearless. He made me to be strong. He made me to be brave. He made me to be His hands extended as protector and defender. He made me to be free of fear and every other lie that sets itself up against the word of God over me.

Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,
for the Lord your God goes with you;
he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6

And He has made you to be fearless too. What or who is the “them” in your life that is causing fear or terror in your heart? A person, situation, thought? The nightly news or medical report? The future, the unknown, or the past? Fear of the dark, the spotlight, failure, success? The enemy will try to saddle us with fear in any and every arena possible. And once he gets his scrawny little foot in the door, he tries to barge through to take possession of all that he can. Friends, slam the door on that scrawny foot and remind him who your God is! To remind my enemy and myself, these are the words I’ve been singing about my God lately:

You are great, greater than the struggle.
You are here with us in the battle.
You are God, there will be no other.
Alleluia, alleluia!
~Awaken the Anthem

This is the God we serve. This is the God who loves us. This is the God who died for us. This is the God who was raised to life for us. This is the God who walks with us. This is the God who meets us where we are. This is the God who isn’t afraid of our mess. This is the God who runs to us. This is the God who sanctifies us. This is the God who welcomes us to Himself. This is the God who makes us fearless. This is the God who wants you to know…

You are adored.