What fills your heart today—confidence or fear?

14 Sep

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Fear

Admit it. We all do crazy things. Bizarre things, really.

I’m sharing mine. A while back, I attended a conference. A friend jokingly asked, “Do you want to drive?

“Yes,” I said with a grin.

“Are you sure?”

“No,” I said, “the question is: are YOU sure you want me to drive your car?”

“Why not,”.

I slipped behind the wheel. “Okay, here we go.” I turned the key to the ignition, and changed gears as she gave me verbal instructions.

Being completely blind, driving a car had remained but a dream. But not anymore.

There I was, gripping  the steering wheel, feeling a bit in control, I listened to my friend. “Keep it straight now, a little to the left, now to the

Right just a bit, not much.”

Oh what Fun! Maybe you’re thinking, “How foolish.”  Perhaps I agree or perhaps not.

The reason I was able to drive her car was because she was with me sitting on the passenger’s seat. I trusted in her ability to give me instructions. I trusted in her direction and her wisdom to tell me what to do, where to turn and when to slow down.

Sometimes we’re all blind in one way or another. We take the steering wheel of life and head forward. Thinking we’re in control, bumps of adversity  catch us off guard. Then when the road gets really rough, fear  robs our confidence.

Conversely, we have the confidence to do anything at all if we know God is by our side.  We’re certain He’s guiding us,  pointing to the next spot in His plans. Reminding of His purpose for our lives. Repeating that He goes before us. Whispering He will guide us over bumps. Talking us through the dangerous curves and reassuring that He will not let us crash.

How about you? Instead of taking the wheel and pressing the gas of human wisdom, are you  listening to His divine directions? He might be asking you to slow down, to keep it straight, to take a detour. To make a sharp U-turn. Or even stop and pause to breathe in His Word.

Breathe in because “…God has said, “never will I leave you…never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.”(Hebrews 13:5-6).

What fills your heart today—confidence or fear?

4 Responses to “What fills your heart today—confidence or fear?”

  1. fuonlyknew September 16, 2013 at 9:56 am #

    I must be wearing ear plugs because fear and frustration are drowning out his voice. Need to clear my ears and my head:)

    Like

    • oldthingsrnew September 16, 2013 at 12:40 pm #

      I hear you. Janet’s blogs seem to hit just what I am feeling.

      Like

  2. DiVoran Lites September 14, 2013 at 11:06 am #

    I imagine you have lots of poems, since your writing is so beautifully full of poetic ideas. I love it and it always lifts me and increases my faith.

    Like

  3. Louise Gib son September 14, 2013 at 7:45 am #

    Janet, your writings are so very inspirational. God bless you!

    Like

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