Do Not Fear

"Do not fear."  I recently heard this phrase is used in the Bible 365 times.  How incredible that God would give us the strength and encouragement we need for every single day of the year!  The Lord desires to comfort His people.  No matter what struggles we face, He will give us the courage to make it through each and every day.  And on the days when we can't lift ourselves up, He carries us!  Isaiah 40:11 says He gathers His sheep in His arms and carries them close to His heart.  How comforting is that?!?

Yesterday was a very difficult day.  But I have a God who loves me and cares for me.  Today is a new day, a fresh start, and I have hope beyond what this world can ever offer.  A friend encouraged me with this verse:

"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
   along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
   and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
   I will not forsake them."  Isaiah 42:16

These are things he WILL do!  So when those surprises come that throw us for a loop, we can trust that God will never, ever let us down.  He leads us in ways we don't expect, and then always surprises us with how He brings us through!  It is never fun to get bad news.  However, after the shock dissipates, I get kind of excited to see how God will work in that circumstance!  We have SO many stories of miraculous ways the Lord has provided for us in difficult times.  He will provide through this one too.

Here is a recent picture of our family...

The Lord is our strength.  He is our provider.  He is sovereign and He is Almighty GOD!  What could we possibly have to fear?

"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

I am comforted to know that no matter what comes my way, no matter where I go, I have my God with me.  I pray you know this same comfort for yourself.