Faith over fear

For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and love, and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

I've grown up thinking life is like a fairytale. Derived from movies and Disney, I dreamt of the day my prince charming would come and I could live happily ever after. Then reality hit me.

Relationship after relationship, it felt more like a tragic love story rather than love triumphs all movie. However, God was writing my story and it was only Act One.

I've experienced varying degrees of hardship and pain in my life. Constantly searching for someone to fill the wounds and heal my heart.

Act Two: The deficit in my heart, led me to a man who showered me with the love I was craving. I was easily manipulated and made to believe that he loved me. Instead he wanted to control and use me.

Rumi wrote, "The wound is the place where the Light enters you"

God allows certain people in your life to fulfill his purpose.

My heart became stone over the years of self-protection and survival. God couldn't reach me.

Oftentimes, we mistakingly think that our rock bottom is the end but, in truth, it is only the beginning. Our catalyst into the unknown is where we can decide on a new way of living.

"I've learned two things about pain. First: I can feel everything and survive. Second: I can use the pain to become" - Glennon Doyle

Act Three: The wound cracked my heart wide open and I could feel the pain of everything I experienced intensify. At that point, I had a choice. Surrender to the world or surrender it to God.

My soul chose to surrender to God.

In that moment, I felt the presence of God's peace flood my entire body and mind. Everything became so clear. I knew exactly what I needed to do without the emotional resistance I was feeling moments before.

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26

I simply told God that I couldn't carry the weight of this pain anymore and to take control. What felt impossible, suddenly became possible. My friends can testify how I've struggled over and over again to leave the toxic relationship. I was able to break free in a matter of weeks.

God called me to step out in faith over my fears.

I had to choose to let go of my fears and trust God with my life. In exchange, he gave me the power and strength to walk away, the love I needed to give to myself, and the self-control to not look back.

Where is God calling you to step out in faith?

Final Act: The story continues into a new chapter. God takes us on journeys. Fantastic Adventures In Trusting Him. Where he will take you requires a step of faith over your fears. The choice is simple, choose life.