Quick story… one night I was just spending a regular evening at home. You know, in my PJs, looking homely. My Josiah was doing his regular little boy stuff like playing video games and watching YouTube videos. I was in my bedroom when suddenly I heard “Mama” in the loudest most frightful scream ever! I turned around quickly, only to see him running towards me with terror in his eyes. Seeing his expression as he leaped into my arms, immediately, I felt fear as well! He held on to me so tight, all I could do is hold him as I asked, “what is it, what’s wrong?” He couldn’t speak. Frightened as ever I was determined to keep walking forward with him in my arms to find out what it was that had us both so scared. I had so many thoughts running through my mind. “Is there a stranger in my home? Did he see a demon? Is there a fire? Whatever it was, I had no choice but to face it! I am his mom, I have to protect us! I continued to walk out of my room, not showing an ounce of fear in my expression for his sake, but in all honesty, the only thing I could hear and feel was the loud and fast pounding of our beating hearts. I made it into our living room to find the tv on, with the volume blasted to the max on a channel with no connection, so it was blaring that static noise like in the Poltergeist movie. I calmly turned the tv off and asked him if that’s what had him so scared. Yup… that was it! We both just held each other on the couch for a while as our heart rates and respirations slowly came down. I did my mom thing, I comforted him, reassured him, and made him feel safe.
It wasn’t until the next evening when I had a bible study at my house about love that I believed the Lord used that incident to teach me about love conquering fear! Love becomes a safe place of shelter. I was Josiah’s safe place, and my love for him was greater than the fear I was willing to face. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance 1 Corinthians 13:7. It kind of made me think of Jesus as He was heading to the cross! He continued the walk to His crucifixion because of His love for us, despite whatever fear He may have felt or torture He knew He would have to endure. We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us 1 John 3:16.When you love, fear is not going to hold you back! You will find yourself pushing forward despite the fear… true love.
I also developed a different form of compassion towards men! It really got me wondering… is this the kind of fear men face all the time as they lead and protect their families? Do they often feel scared but just hide it for our sake because their love and duty are a priority? Wow, just wow!!!
As Christians, we have something special, God’s love! We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, as all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect 1 John 4:16-17. I encourage you to continue to grow and mature in your walk, so that you can continue to use his love to expel fear! Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear 1 John 4:18. Love is the most powerful tool of all! It should drive all of our actions. Love conquering fear should be apart of all of our testimonies.
Growing up I used to watch Brady Bunch. There was no violence on Tv, No swearing, sex. I think a challenge to parents these days is tv, media. VIOLENCE, SEX, DRUGS, POLICE SHOWS, REALITY SHOWS are now considered entertainment. What I have to say is this. Do I believe that Media affects people. Yes. I believe just as we eat; and put good food; or junk food into our bodies. We put evil things; and Hollywood new shows; into our minds feeding our minds like a cancer. I hate reality shows; they place these so called ICONS; like Kardashians family on tv. Youth of today looks up to them; like a prophet for profit. They wear crosses; as if to say we are Christian; we are ok. But they are unmarried; never took vows; drink; party; nude photos; sex videos, have birthday parties that cost $10,000 dollars; while 10 miles away there are homeless. What values are they teaching their children? Also, what values are we sending our children and teens watching these icons? They are not Christian values.