Have you ever had an unhealthy fear creep in your life, immobilize you, and keep you from living a life of freedom?  For me, as a single mom, fear can sometimes tell me things like: How can I be the sole provider to my five kids; financially, physically, emotionally, and spiritually?  How can I share my story with the world; I am an introvert who hates to speak in front of people?  How can I live life without a husband; will I be alone for the rest of my life?  Will people pity me and think I am not enough?


So, I began searching scriptures on fear, to help me not be so afraid.  It says in Psalm 34:7, "I will teach you the fear of God."

Did you know there are two types of fear? There is healthy Godly fear, and there is unhealthy evil fear.

Bad fear is full of pride, sin, lies, bondage, and despair.  Unhealthy fear can make you not sleep at night and leads only to panic attacks, anxiety, and eventually death.

Good, Godly fear is a healthy, wholesome fear that gives you the best night's sleep ever and brings your life true peace and beautiful freedom.  Worldly fear makes you feel afraid; Godly fear makes you feel safe.

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When I choose to live a virtuous life and surrender everything to Him, that is when I don't feel afraid.  I know it doesn't make a lot of "worldly" sense.  In today's society, we are taught from the time we are little that surrendering your life to someone else is weak and not brave.  Many people believe that if they let go of their life and give it to God, it will only result in bondage, always thinking they are being controlled and manipulated.  But actually, I have found the exact opposite to be true.  To surrender everything to Jesus and let Him be in control of your life is exhilarating.  Surrendering doesn't mean you just sit back and do nothing.  Surrender means letting go of what you thought your life should look like and trusting your Creator to lead you to be who you are created to be.  Wouldn't the very one who created you know what is best for you?

When I surrender my life to Jesus, there is an unconditional, perfect love that consumes me and gives me an unexplainable peace beyond any human comprehension.  It is so relieving and refreshing.  Do you know why?  GOD IS LOVE, and His Love takes that ugly, scary fear completely away and replaces it with His healthy Holy fear.

The best part is that your children will sense the peace and love you have, and they will no longer feel afraid.  We are the ones that can give our children a happy mother who loves life.  

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." ~ 1 John 4:18

Sometimes it is hard to see God when we are going through a challenging, fearful time.

These things help me when I start to feel the ugly, evil grip of fear embracing me:

  • Be thankful.  Try to find something every day that helps you appreciate your life.  Praising God with singing and listening to worship music is therapeutic and healing.
  • Get outside in raw nature, breathe in the fresh air, and embrace the incredible beauty of creation.  It will help you tangibly see that God is still alive and is taking care of everything.
  • Exercise and eat healthy food that nourishes your mind and body.
  • Get in His Word and ask God to teach you.  Memorize scriptures on love, and apply what you learn to your life.
  • Serve and pray for others.  When we get our minds off of our situation, it can help us overcome our fears.

I would like to encourage you today.  Let the perfect Love of Jesus consume you so you can live a fearless life full of peace and freedom!

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Meet the Author

Erica Foster, TLSM Featured Expert

Erica Marie Foster is the author of, You Taught my Feet to Dance, learning to follow His lead as a single mom. She has a passion for helping families connect with the Creator so they can turn their disappointments into dancing. She loves to spend time with her family. Some of her favorite things to do are homeschooling, hiking, camping, walking in raw nature, writing, and playing with her adorable dachshund. You can connect with her at ericamariefoster.com.

  

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The Life of a Single Mom is a national, faith-based, nonprofit that exists to see that no single mom walks alone. To date, the organization has worked with hundreds of churches to start a single mom’s support group in cities throughout the U.S. and beyond, as well as having served hundreds of thousands of single mothers with a variety of programs.  Offering a large array of books, curriculum, training materials, online instructional videos, podcasts, newsletters, life skills education, and more, TLSM is one of the largest single mom organizations in the U.S.  The robust selection of single mom programs focus on empowering single moms to grow spiritually, emotionally, financially, and parentally through Single Mom University, Single Moms Across America, the National TLSM Single Moms Conference, boot camps, and a variety of other programs. For more information,  visit  www.thelifeofasinglemom.com.