Fear: Shining Your Light in the Face of Fear - Jeanne Takenaka

By Lisa Jordan

Over a decade ago, I had been driving home, and my heart was heavy with recent news my husband had given me—the company where he worked was downsizing. As I turned by our local hospital to head back to my house, I remember praying and asking God to protect my husband against the impending layoffs. Even though I worked full-time, we still needed his income, especially his insurance, to meet our monthly budget.  

A couple of weeks later, my husband came home in the middle of the day with a look on his face that I will never forget—due to the economic downsizing, he had lost his job…and our insurance. 

I remember lamenting to God, “What about the prayer I prayed? Remember what happened last time, Lord?”

That was in 2009, and it was the first year I chose One Word as a focal point for prayer and goals. My One Word for that year was change. 

And we were about to face a lot of it.

Not only had my husband lost his job, but after working ten hours a day and going to school online at night, I had graduated from college at the age of 40. Our oldest son graduated high school a month later, and at the end of August, he headed off to college. 

Change was Happening

More than that, God was beginning a change within me that has continued to grow and mature. He had a plan, one to prosper us and to give as a hope and a future. He continued to provide for us. God provided Hubby with different jobs, then presented him the opportunity to go back to school to get his business degree. That opened the door for his current job where he has been for the last eight-and-a-half years…with fantastic insurance. He met every need in different ways, and I learned a lot about trusting Him with my fears.

During that time, different fears took up residence in my head. So many “what if” scenarios played out like movies. Fear does that—it takes your thoughts captive and almost strangles them with distorted reasoning about events that may not have even happened yet! We tend to get so caught up in the future may hold that we forget to focus on God in the present. 

Fear does that—it takes your thoughts captive and almost strangles them with distorted reasoning about events that may not have even happened yet! #tellhisstory #facingfears Click To Tweet

Matthew 6:34 reminds us,

Ain’t that the truth!!

As 2020 came to a close, I started considering my One Word for 2021. At the beginning of this year, I looked over my list of One Words and realized how they built upon each other to strengthen my trust and my faith. And it wasn’t always easy.

This year, I chose Light.

After a very dark 2020, we need more Light. 

How Do We Shine Our Lights in the Face of Fear?

We all deal with different types of fears. Even though we try to keep our trust in God, we are imperfect humans. I’m not going to list a bunch of ways to combat your fears because each one of us is different. If fears and anxieties are affecting the quality of your life, then please seek professional help and guidance—those resources are one way God provides a way out from under the weight of those burdens.

 Even though we try to keep our trust in God, we are imperfect humans. #tellhisstory #facingfears Click To Tweet

However, I will share the most important way to keep shining your light in the face of fear—stay plugged into the Source.

A nightlight illuminates the path in the middle of the night, but if that nightlight isn’t plugged into the power source, then it isn’t able to do its job. 

The same goes with our lights—if we aren’t plugged into the Source on daily basis by feeding on the Word and conversing with God through prayer, then our lights will flicker and dim. The darkness of the world can snuff us out completely.

The Necessity of Shining our Light

Shining our light is necessary to glorify God in the midst of the attacks from the enemy. When we love unconditionally, show grace continuously, serve without motive, and give all the glory to God, then our lights will shine bright, illuminating a way to the One who has modeled how we need to live our lives.

As Matthew 5:16 reminds us, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

God is our Light Source, and without Him, we will walk in darkness that steals our joy and escalates our fears. The choice is yours—how will you shine your light in the face of your fears?

What about you? What stands in your way of shining your light in the face of fear? How does shining your light help you to overcome your fears?

This week, I’m linking up with Grace and Truth, Anita Ojeda, and #Instaencouragements. Come join and read more encouraging posts!