As we tiptoe our way into the new year, I’m beginning to establish our priorities for the year, as every mom does when the school year begins – the lists of ‘To Do’s ‘ are endless. However, my ‘To Do’ list looks somewhat different this year. Although somewhere jotted down at point no.8 is to.. put shelves up in the girl’s room, reorganize the toy box, clean up the bookshelf, and so on.. the priorities that rank at the top few spots on my list go something like this:
This year we will:
- Learn to conquer our fears – slaying them, one giant at a time.
- Learn to be ‘Radically Obedient’ to Gods call.
- BE intentional about everything – family, friendships, how we spend our time, what we watch, what we read, etc.
While, the list goes on – I want to pause at no. 1.
So many of us have faced unfair situations in this life which have caused us to feel fearful, disappointed, heartbroken, and just hurt. These emotions have a way of creeping their way inside our hearts. And if they sit there for too long, they begin to fester like an untreated wound. Before you know it, they start to rot – and we’re left feeling angry and bitter.
My Sophie seems a bit anxious and fearful at the beginning on this new year and new school term. So we’ve decided that we’re tackling this thing head on. No.1 on the heart list. So, I made everyone some tea and we cuddled up on the bed around a book for bedtime stories. I picked up ‘The Biggest and Toughest’ – its a story about David and his BIG faith. I thought I would settle my Sophie’s worrying mind with a story about faith. David, like Sophie and the rest of us, had a giant to face.
Now let me tell you a bit about this story. Goliath was a giant, the Philistines’ fierce fighting champ. He was scary and hairy and his muscles were huge. He was the biggest and toughest of them all. Goliaths chant went something like this: ‘Send me a soldier to fight. I’ll smash him all day and I’ll stomp him all night. When all of the smashing and stomping is through, your land will be ours – we’ll make salves out of you.’ Just like Goliath, so many of our fears chant their way through our hearts and minds threatening to crush us on every side. Our struggles enslave us and leave us feeling imprisoned.
David was a small and simple Shepard boy, but he was confident that He could fend off the giant. When the giant saw David, he chanted again: ‘I called for a Soldier, you sent out a squirt. Send him back to his mommy, he’s gonna get hurt. The boy is too puny to put up a fight. I’ll smash him all day and I’ll stomp him all night.’ Often I feel as though my giants stare me straight in the face and have a good laugh, taunting me as I buckle in fear.
Then David said something quite profound. And this has become my saying for the season that lay ahead of us. This has become my hearts cry out to the Lord as I watch one of my girls struggling. We repeat this over and over again every morning on our way to school. David responded to the giant saying: ‘You have your spear and your sword but I will fight you in the name of the Lord!’ David spun his sling and the giant hit the ground!
As I ponder on this truth, I rejoice in the fact that as I declare the name of Jesus over my giants, my fears and my struggles will fumble and fall. As I pray over my sweet Sophie, I pray that her fear would fall away and that she would experience the love of Jesus that casts out all fear.
“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with mine. Learn my ways and you’ll discover that I’m gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear.”
Matthew 11:28-30 The Passion Translation
Do you know that there is power in the name of Jesus?
Have you entrusted Him with your struggles and fears?
Do you know that as you declare His mighty name over your worries they will fall and hit the ground?
Thank you Lord!
And now my heart will turn and worship the only One who saves…
There’s a joy that triumphs over fear
There’s a laughter that wipes away all tears
There’s a presence that changes atmospheres
There’s a name
We will fix our eyes on the One who overcame
We will stand in awe of the One who breaks the chains
Victory has a name
Victory has a name
Jesus