She scuttled straight at me, claws up, ready to take me on. I know, hopefully you see the irony of this, but listen in for just a second. I don’t know if her brain was telling her to be afraid or not, but as I watched her she taught me a very important lesson. She taught me to “Disobey my Fear!”
I don’t know if any of you ever struggle with fear, anxiety, or other issues. For me, the “Fear Monster” rears its ugly head and spews all kinds of lies about people and possibilities depending on the situation. I understand what the scripture says about not fearing. However, for some reason, watching this crab yesterday put it all in perspective. When the crab saw me, she didn’t run away. She stood her ground and put her claws up. She didn’t know if I was real or fake but she wasn’t taking any chances. I believe she was disobeying her fear.
Here is truth: Fear comes from believing the stories we tell ourselves about either a situation we’re in or about other people and their thoughts and actions. We make these stories up and let them live and grow in our heads. They often become very realistic. Then they paralyze us.
What if next time, instead of giving away our creative space to the “Fear Monster” we stood our ground and proclaimed truth? What if we believed the story God wanted to write using what was in our hands? I believe it would sound like this, “You are my daughter and I am incredibly fond of you! I have made you to do this! I have imprinted these skills, talents, hobbies, passions, time, and gifts in you with my DNA. I will be with you and help you! I have an untangled view of this. You can trust me! I know your name and you are mine! Step forward!”
Until We Chat Again, Crystal The Plank-eyed Girl
“Don’t fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.” - Isaiah 43:1
