Heart Choices: Living Fearlessly -->

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Living Fearlessly


Living Fearlessly in 2010 began with Iris of Grace Alone. Iris recently read Max Lucado's book Fearless and it made quite an impression on her. She's challenged us to join her on a journey of fearless living in 2010 and this is our first week.

Fear is something that I've struggled with from time to time. I prefer to live within my comfort zone. I'm a loyal person and tend to stick with something for a long time because it's familiar.

Iris asked us to remember a time in our past when we dealt with fear and overcame it.

I remember 1983. I was single, living in Florida, and working in a position as a nurse that I should have left long ago. But I was:

  • Comfortable
  • Owned a condo
  • My family lived nearby
  • I had lots of friends
  • I knew my job well

I received a job offer as a cardiovascular nurse specialist in Phoenix, Arizona. I had taken a full time six month course at the Arizona Heart Institute but had returned to Florida after I completed the program. Now I had a job offer to consider.

Fear crept in. I knew I was ready for a change but what if I didn't like it or I missed my family? Doubts began to fill my mind.

I remembered back several months when I had prayed to God about the direction for my life. I knew I needed a change. Maybe this was my answer? I decided to take the plunge. After all, what was the worst thing that would happen? I'd move back.


So, I sold my condo and packed up my belongings. My dad drove with me in my Corvette (I was a single gal at the time). In retrospect, it was the best move I could have made. It was the start of a new and different life for me.

Within a year, I met, fell in love and married my husband of 25 years. I loved the Arizona lifestyle, the dry climate, the desert, the mountains and the fairly close proximity to the California beaches. A one hour plane ride isn't too bad. I grew and learned so much in my nursing career.

I wish I could say that I never fear anymore but I still struggle with it from time to time. But I desire to live a fearless life by ...trusting and obeying God.

In 1983, I wasn't walking closely with the Lord. But today I've grown to know Him so much better. My desire is to yield my life to Him for His purposes. This is much different than the way I lived years ago.

If you want to join us in living fearlessly in 2010, I encourage you to visit Iris this week on Grace Alone. If you have a blog post you're welcome to link up there or simply add your thoughts in the comments.

Here's to living fearlessly. It begins with trusting and obeying the Lord. And that has become my theme for 2010.

How about you? Do you struggle with fear?


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Debbie Petras
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20 comments:

  1. Awesome post, thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. My middle name used to be "fear"! I felt like the cowardly lion from Oz. BUT ... somewhere along the way God did a powerful work in me. Now I rarely have fear or anxiety, though sometimes it creeps in.

    I love it that we're not given a spirit of fear - but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. What a gift (among the many)!

    Blessings,
    Kathleen

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  3. Thank you from the bottom of my heart that you are joining in, Debbie :) ...

    Fear -- I really don't want to fear, because the victory is already won. Wish the journey would be a little easier some days :)

    Love & peace,
    Iris

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  4. I use to feel so safe, but times are changing and sometimes the unknown in our country and our world make me a little fearful. But then I have to remind myself that in God's Word He has pretty much told us to expect these things, that He is still in control, and is on the throne. I'm glad we have His promises. But still, in my human estate, I find myself fearful sometimes.

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  5. Yes, FEAR or FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL
    is something I battle with ~ sometimes are worse than others and it is in those worse times that I know I am not allowing the LORD to work in me.....DRATS! I hate those times!

    Bless you Debbie today and always

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  6. Dear Debbie,

    My brother gave me the book "Fearless" for Christmas. I have really enjoyed it. Fear would be one of the flesh patterns that I struggle with the most. What if my husband died? Would I stay in my home? What if something bad happened to one of my grandchildren? What if Michael doesn't get the support money he needs? What if the market drops again, and my 401K falls to a new level. Will I have enough to live on? I get into the Word each morning and almost every day He tells us to trust Him. His presence is always with us. Fear may fill our world, but it doesn't have to fill our hearts.
    I need to trust Him more and remember He is in control of all my circumstances.
    Love,

    Sue

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  7. I do fear many things but I'm learning to take those thoughts captive and give them to the Lord. I try to look at circumstances through the filter of Christ and His promises to me. I don't think fear and anxiety will ever be completely absent from my life but I can learn to meet them at first sight and put them into perspective.

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  8. Do I struggle with fear? Only my whole life...Anxiety is just something I deal with, and I believe it is somewhat in my genetic make-up as well, but whatever it is, I do deal with it. Over the years the Lord has worked with me, walked me through areas I could have never made it through without Him, and in general made it possible to live my life without resorting to medications etc. Fear can be VERY powerful, but I have found the Lord to be MUCH MORE powerful and He is soo merciful to me. I don't deal with it as much I did when I was younger, but maybe it is because I keep Him soo much closer to me now. Hugs, Debbie

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  9. Such a honest, heartfelt post. My post today and next week are on this very topic. Thanks for sharing. Blessings, SusanD

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  10. Yes, it's a familiar struggle for me. But, I am learning in that area of faith vs. fear. I love the picture of the coin... one side is labeled FAITH the other side FEAR. Side by side and yet worlds apart. It goes right back to your 2010 words TRUST & OBEY... we obey when we trust, it's what God wants us to do, and it's because He knows He is the source behind our faith and His supply will never end.

    Good one Debbie.

    Love you,

    Sonja

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  11. I think I've been struggling with this a lot lately. I am coming up on my graduation from seminary and I am absolutely terrified about the transitions that are coming up in my life. How do I find a job? What about money in the meantime? Am I ready to leave a city that my husband and I love?

    But - I'm called to ministry. I know I am. I know God calls me to do what I am studying to do. So I am going to try to remind myself to take a deep breath and just trust God. Faith is probably the sturdiest rock to lean on.

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  12. love your testimony...seems this invitation is for me since 2010 is my Year of No Fear!!

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  13. I no longer live in fear, but I am well acquainted with living in a comfortable and familiar lifestyle! I'm a creature of habit.

    Looking forward to hearing more about Living Fearlessly in 2010!

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  14. I enjoyed hearing about your past, Debbie. Fear and worry are things I have to work on. I do remember to trust the Lord. Hugs ~

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  15. Great post. I lived so much of life in fear of something. But my God has shown me he is stronger than anything that I could be afraid of... stronger than all the lies and doubts the enemy throws at me. God bless you dear friend. You are so precious.

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  16. Very nice post. Everytime dear Debbie you have something interesting to tell us. Hugs. Philip

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  17. I knew you were an adventurous gal- Corvet, Heart Nurse, Leaving your family. :)

    Fear.
    Uh Huh. I have been a slave to fear. Which in my life lead to control. Which hence led to a lot of problems through the years. I controlled to be safe. So that I wouldn't feel fear. But that plan never worked because I could never quit controlling because I never quit being afraid.

    I believe fear is not of the Lord because He promised us all peace. Over the years my transition from childhood to adulthood has removed many of the fears that rocked my childhood. Especially since i'm in charge now, not the parents.

    As a believer/ reciever of Jesus' sacrifice on Calvary for me, I am daily working to combat my desire to have all the answers within myself and the need to control or be in charge. I have found peace in the truths i've come to know about the Lord in His Word. Knowing of His deep love for me has helped me to cross over many hurdles and it will help me to overcome those remaining. Fear can/ could keep me from obedience & trusting no doubt. So i'm trying to keep my focus on His love and then it eases my desire to control as a result of fear and be a hindrance to ANYTHING He wants to do in and through me.

    He knows the desire of my heart is to respond to the revelation of His love every second that passes till i'm home. On that note, He is working that fear thing out in me. I, Heather, will not be afraid because I know He has gone before me to work all things together for good and He'll turn my messes into beauty for Him too.

    Now... the only fear left is that i'm gonna carry on the family gene of going gray early and I'm not good about seeing my hairdresser... at all. Yikes!

    :) Heather

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  18. Yes.... I struggle with fear...very often. I always have. It can be so crippling. It can keep us from "moving" can't it?

    I read Fearless by Lucado and very much enjoyed it. I love the picture on the front cover - I think it's of a little boy diving into the water. Oh....to just let loose and dive in - I'm working on it :)

    Thanks for the encouragement, girl! Have a great day!

    Blessings and Love,
    Kate :)

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  19. Thank you for sharing this. I am happy to be a part of this journey with you of discovering how to continue living fearlessly. May the Lord's grace always be with us as we strive to face our anxieties with the assurance that the Lord will always be by our side :)

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  20. Look also forward to learn from eachother journey ...With the goal to life Fearlessly....
    By trusting and resting in Him!

    Blessings
    bernice

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I love to read your comments! I know you have something to share so join in the conversation. And thank you for taking the time.

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