From Scared to Sacred

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2 NIV

I saw my phone light up from across the room. I’d been waiting for a notification and yet dreading it. As I tried to stay focused on my current role as teacher to my squirmy kiddos, a nagging in the back of my head just wouldn’t let up. 

It sent worrying thoughts, anxiety, and a million “I told you so” statements flooding through my body. Before I knew it, my skin turned hot and clammy and morning snack rolled in my stomach. 

The waiting message told me nothing new. It confirmed what I already knew, or at least strongly suspected, after an encounter with the Holy Spirit the previous week. Yes, my loved one was hurt again. Yes, I would rally again. But Lord, how many more “agains” are going to be necessary? And what if the next again is the last again?

The feeling of fear, of being scared, was becoming a fast friend, and I didn’t like it.

Have you ever found yourself in the same situation? Wanting to trust someone, something, or God, but finding it difficult to? Wondering why the same thing is allowed to happen time after time? Trying to figure out just the right words to say or pray to ignite change? Doubting God’s love in the midst of heartache? Living scared of what might come next? 

I’m guessing your answer might be yes, so I’d love to share something I recently read that led to an “Aha” moment with this!

In Lysa TerKeurst’s book, I Want to Trust You, But I Don’t, she talks about needing to press into God when doubts creep in. Things like being in His Word, talking to Him, and/or remembering His past faithfulness and that He Himself is good are all helpful. She also shares:

“If I don’t feel like God is coming through for me today, it’s so hard to trust that surrendering my future to Him is a safe thing to do. I’m scared to fully trust Him. I’m scared to fully surrender my efforts to fix things and instead cling to His promises. So I hold on to my fears and doubts, I build safety nets in case He doesn’t come through.”

That six letter word, scared,  resonated with me. I could one hundred percent relate to how Lysa felt. As I read the paragraph a few more times, I thought of something I’d been practicing from Ann Voskamp’s book, Waymaker. In it she unpacks, “a SACRED Way of living. A practical daily way of life that drowns an army of fears, reshapes, and directs her days, and offers her a fresh revelation of hope.”

God was showing me, reminding me, how to move from a self-centered scared mindset to a Christ-centered SACRED mindset.

Throughout Waymaker, Ann weaves her own personal struggles with the following:

S – Stillness to Know God

A – Attentiveness to Hear God

C – Cruciformity to Surrender to God

R – Revelation to See God

E – Examine to Return to God

D – Doxology to Thank God

When we are faced with difficulties that seem impossible to overcome, shake us to our core, and leave us wondering “Where are you God?” or “Why God?” – will we turn inward and rely on our finite understanding of how things work? Or, will we extend our arms wide in surrender to God, who infinitely knows all? Will we take the time to train our minds to process what’s scary through a SACRED lens and let God shape our view of the situation?

Friends, these are heavy questions. Is our faith strong enough to weather the raging waters and blazing fires? And what does it mean if it waivers?

I want you to know, these are not questions we should feel ashamed to wrestle with.

Last year, the constant barrage of doubt, fear, and anxiety really tested my faith. I was afraid to voice where I was at, because as a woman who professes faith, I shouldn’t have those thoughts and feelings, right?! 

But once I decided to be honest with God, true healing began. I’ve worked through the SACRED Way of living numerous times when doubt and fear surface. Through that, God continues to peel back the enemy’s lies, remind me of His inherent goodness and past faithfulness, offer forgiveness and grace, and draw me closer to Him. 

God will do the same for you. In fact, He’s waiting right now to wrap you in His loving embrace, gently wipe your tears, and whisper assurances to your heart. 

The storms will still come, but just like Isaiah 43:2 states, God will not allow us to be swept away or singed by fire.

Abba Father, Fear and uncertainty are sometimes part of life. Help us not to let them become life itself, but to shift from scared to SACRED. Lord, help us to bow in humility and let You be the Good Father who reigns over every aspect of our lives. Sustain us, when our souls are weary and it seems like there’s no end in sight. We are so thankful for Your grace and how You continue to love us despite our insecurities. In Your Heavenly Name we pray, Amen.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 NIV

They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7 NIV

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit. Psalm 137:3-5 NIV

So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. Hebrews 6:18-19a NLT