"I suddenly began to see this verse everywhere, even on a bumper sticker!"
Scripture reference: Isaiah 41:10 “Feat not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Until recently fear has had a firm grip over my life, mainly in the form of my career. In my mid- twenties I worked as a Copywriter at an advertising agency. As glamorous as that sounds, it was anything but. After years of working there (and complaining about it non-stop), I finally found the courage to apply to new jobs. I accepted an offer as a script writer for a media company. I was so happy to be moving on from my job as a copywriter but instantly became paralyzed with fear over how to perform this new job. I immediately began looking for ways out.
During this same time, my husband Paul and I started reading “Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven Life.” This was a renewal point in our Christianity. We dove straight into this book, devouring everything it said. We prayed every morning and hung on to His word. Then the Holy Spirit began to speak to me through the verse Isaiah 41:10 – Feat not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. I’d never been so moved or connected to a verse before. I suddenly began to see this verse everywhere, even on a bumper sticker! I wrote it on a post-it note and put it on the top of my computer so that whenever I would get anxious I was reminded that He was with me always.
The Holy Spirit used a beautiful Bible verse to flip my fear on its head. As I believed that He was strengthening, helping, and upholding me I began to relax at my new job. And wouldn’t you know it, the fear slowly went away. Then, out of the blue, I was approached by another company. A company that was five minutes from my apartment (if you know anything about South Florida this is a miracle in and of itself)! Because I knew God was at my side I accepted without fear. 9 months later I had our first daughter. The company allowed me to freelance from home and for 9 years that job was EXACTLY what God wanted for my family.
Fear not, friends. The Holy Spirit is with you.
Dig deeper: When was a time in your past when God was faithful to you?
Where does God want to breathe courage and peace into your life? What words from Him would set your heart at ease right now?
Prayer starter: “Lord, we humbly ask you for courage, even when we don’t know if we are ready for it. Your ways are good, and we trust you with our lives, our futures, and our fears. Amen”
