Category: Fear

You have nothing to fear as a daughter of God.

In the battle, rest

By Natalie Lapacek-Trout

On June 1, 2022

In Fear, Rest

Listen to a reading of the text below

One of my favorite places to rest in the Smoky Mountains

Daughter, I know things feel long and like it will never end.

But remember what I’ve told you. Great joy is coming!

Don’t get so caught up in now that you forget what I have said. I know you’re trying, and I know you worry you’re not trying hard enough.

Rest.

Rest in me, daughter. Rest in my word. Rest in my promises. Rest in my arms. Don’t you know that I hold you?

I love you. I speak to you. Believe me. It’s just us.

You don’t have to worry. You don’t have to rush. You don’t have to go take care of anything.

You just have to rest and listen.

Apart from me, you can do nothing. Remember, child?

Push out the thoughts that lead to death and darkness.

Rest, and you will find me.

You don’t have to strive and busy yourself to have my favor. With me, there is rest because I work for you and in you.

I am the almighty God. You are not.

You are my daughter, and you belong to me. But you are not the creator, the inspiration, the provider. It’s me, and I love you.

Rest, and be thankful that I have mercy and love. Be thankful for the Holy Spirit.

I want you to remember that I am that I am. I am Yahweh, but you don’t have to be afraid. No. Fear is not from me. Fear is from our enemy.

Fear lies and drags you into the muck. I have lifted you out of it, cleaned you, clothed you, held you, empowered you, guided your steps.

And I will continue to do so.

Don’t worry, and don’t strive. Don’t let the enemy fool you. With my Holy Spirit, you have authority. With my armor, you are empowered. I love you enough to protect you and keep you safe. I’ve trained you and given you skill for the battle.

Don’t lose hope. Don’t believe the lies. Believe that I am life, that fear leads to death in this battle.

See Exodus 2:23-25 and 3:13-15; Psalm 37:17-19, 46:10-11, and 144:1-2; Habakkuk 3:16-19; Matthew 6:28-33; John 15:5 and 15:11; Romans 8:5-6, 9:31, 10:3; Ephesians 6:10-17

These links share just a glimpse of the story God is telling us. When you have time, read a chapter or two around the verses to get the context and see the whole picture. My preferred Bible translation is the New Living Translation, so all links will be in that version.

The beginning of a journey

By Natalie Lapacek-Trout

On May 9, 2022

In Beginnings, Fear, Trust

Listen to a reading of the text below

Daughter, I will not disappoint. I will not leave. I will not lead you to disaster. I will work out all these plans, and you have nothing to fear.

I see your heart. I know its murmurings, its longings, its desires. I know it so well. And I love it. I love you and all that’s in your heart. Even the bad things.

I love you completely, wholly. I love when you serve me. I love you when you sit, contemplative, and pray. I love when you write, when you use the gifts I’ve given you. It’s my delight to give you gifts.

You are my delight now and always. You can cry. It’s okay. I know it’s overwhelming. My love isn’t like any other. I just want you to know it, daughter. Trust it.

Trust when I speak to you. Write it down. Let this be your calling. You remember how you wanted to hear me? Now you do. This is how. This is how I made you to hear me.

I will always come. I never fail. Just sit still and listen. That’s all you have to do.

There is no hurrying or fearing or rushing with me.

I made you to hold this pen. I made you to write, to share. Trust in where I will bring you. Trust in what I’m doing.

Remember these tears you cried just now, with me beside you, holding you. You’re stronger with me. Your tears make you stronger.

Don’t believe the world. Don’t believe the lies. I am here. I am love. I am with my children all the time. I never leave, never stop. I long for you just as you long for me.

Don’t try to make sense of it all. Just stop and listen and remember. Take your time. Take your time with me.

Don’t be in a hurry to get back to life. This is life. I am life.

Keep writing. Keep going. Keep going forward with me. It’s coming. Restoration and release are coming. Rest in it.

Love, knowing it and trusting it.

See Deuteronomy 31:8; Exodus 33:17; Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 138:8; Psalm 139:1; Psalm 37:23; Proverbs 3:5-6; 1 John 4:9-10; 1 John 4:16

These links share just a glimpse of the story God is telling us. When you have time, read a chapter or two around the verses to get the context and see the whole picture. My preferred Bible translation is the New Living Translation, so all links will be in that version.