Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Proverbs 30:5 (04/20/23)
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TITLE: From Fear to Peace | Previous Challenge Entry
By Pamela Kliewer
04/27/23 -
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“Ariel, are you alright?”
I jumped at the sound of my husband's voice. “Oh! You startled me!” I quickly grabbed the corner of my apron and wiped the tears from my face, hoping he wouldn't notice.
“I'm sorry. You've been in here so long, I thought I'd better come and check on you.”
“I'm fine.” I said, as I avoided his gaze, starting to wash the dishes again.
Chad came up behind me, putting his hands on my shoulders. “Honey, you're not fine. This fear you've been carrying around is eating you up.”
I stiffened, not wanting to acknowledge that he was right. “You don't understand!” I shouted. “Don't I have a right to be afraid?”
He gently turned me from the sink gazing at me with tender love. “Well, actually, no, you don't”
I stared at him, incredulous. I could no more stop the tears from coming again, than I could stop the moon from rising. He pulled me into His arms. I held my arms between us, refusing to return his hug, not wanting to acknowledge his care. I wanted to hang on to this fear because I did have a right to it!
“Ariel, what happened was horrible, I know that, but you can't keep on like this. Your fear is starting to affect the kids. How will they learn that God is there for them, if you keep on being afraid to go out of the house day after day?” He continued to hold me, his hand stroking my back. I felt myself start to soften in his embrace, as his truthful words hit the mark.
And yet, “Chad, I can't, I just can't.
“Sweetheart, yes, you can. How many other times have you been afraid and given it over to God, letting Him shield you from that fear? I happen to know that you have let God prove His promise many times as you have taken refuge in Him. I have seen you dig into His Word, letting it comfort you and bring you peace. Don't you want Danny and Starla to learn that lesson too?”
“Yes.” I whispered, as I slowly unfolded my arms, still caught between us, and wrapped them around my husband, my godly, caring, gentle husband, who wouldn't let me stay stuck in fear. I knew it was past time to tell the anxiety that had gripped me since that frightful day, to leave me alone.
Tears were still coursing down my cheeks, but they were turning to tears of relief and joy as I lifted my heart to Jesus, with a shuddering breath, and prayed out loud, “Lord, I know that I have been wrong to hang on to this fear so tightly, feeling I had a right to it. I ask now that You would deliver me from it, as I give it to You. I want to be a godly example to our children, letting them see that You are always there for us, no matter what we may go through, and that because of that we don't have to live in fear. Thank You for Chad, and for leading him to speak words of truth to me. In Jesus' mighty name, I pray, Amen.”
“Yes, Lord,” Chad began, “I agree with Ariel's prayer and I thank you that you are with her. I pray that as she has given this fear to You that You will deliver her from it and be with her as she makes the choice to no longer be trapped by this anxiety that has plagued her. I thank You that next time she needs to go somewhere that she will no longer be held back, because on this night you have delivered her. In Jesus' name Amen.”
Peace took fear's place on my shoulder, gently speaking God's reassuring words of hope, a refuge in any storm that would come my way.
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Loved the prayers and giving it all to the LORD, truth and powerful.
Blessings~
I would have like to known what triggered her fear, as you alluded to it, but did not disclose.
Great job describing the body language.