How a Slice of Cake Defeats Fear

My grandmother refused to drive a car. Today it seems virtually impossible to live without driving unless maybe you live in the city, but she lived in the suburbs, long before Uber. She tried it once. Unfortunately, she hit the gas pedal instead of the break. There was a loud crash. Metal scraped and crumpled. I can imagine my grandfather wincing before he jerked his hand through his hair and muttered under his breath. Ma Ma never got behind the wheel again.

Fear steals from you.Now my grandmother was a wonderful woman. She had the kind of laugh that you couldn’t help but smile when you heard it. She was fun to be around and always seemed happy. I never would have guessed that she was afraid of anything, especially not driving.Fear enslaves you.I struggled with fear for a long time, fear of failure, fear of rejection. It kept me shy and isolated. I wouldn’t initiate talking to people. If I had to get up in front of the class or do something publically. I would practice and practice until I knew I couldn’t mess it up, until I met some level of perfection that couldn’t be mocked, laughed at, or taunted. Then, I met my college roommate. Kim was from Queens, NY, and even though she was 5’4” and barely 100lbs, she talked and acted like she was 6’6” 250lbs of sheer muscle. Kim was not afraid of anything. Somehow we hit it off immediately. She dragged me out of my dorm room and pushed me way out of my comfort zone.Looking back, I believe God brought Kim into my life to grow me. Whatever you fear you serve, and if she hadn’t challenged me then I might still be enslaved to fear. Fear would have us believe that God’s hands are tied. That we are at the mercy of our circumstances whether it be a bad boy/girlfriend, an angry boss, or an unfavorable doctor’s prognosis. We feel stuck and snatch hold of a short-term solution to keep us afloat. When instead, we should be clinging to the God who is, in fact, able to save us. Fear tries to limit God’s capabilities. God is powerful, but this is cancer. God is powerful, but I need this now. God is powerful but …But what?Faith is trusting God explicitly. The human mind is plagued with doubts. Are earthly brains cannot comprehend the possibilities of God. This is where walking by faith comes into play. I know it’s not easy. I was profoundly influenced by Karen Porter, author of I’ll Bring the Chocolate, who once spoke at a lady’s event held at my church. She said sometimes we might not have enough faith, but it is okay in those terrifying times of doubt to borrow the faith of others. She used the example of slicing off a piece of chocolate cake. Borrowing a slice of friend’s faith may be all that’s needed to keep you going. Sometimes just knowing that someone else is praying for you when you’re all prayed out is enough.Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help you.    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.  ~ Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)Don't miss a post! Sign up for my e-newsletter by clicking here: Lorri's Newsletter