R.A.D.I.C.A.L. Thoughts

"To fear is one thing. To let fear grab you by the tail and swing you around is another."
 Katherine Paterson.

It's Halloween. I don't know about you, but seeing all these little kids in their costumes is such fun! Several of my youngest grandchildren were over the other day showing me their costumes. The super hero boys run around so their capes fly out behind them. The pirate girls say "ARRRRR!" But when these little goblins are small, on Halloween they stay pretty close to someone big and strong. Someone who will protect them from the other ghosts and goblins and whatever else is in the dark or whatever else jumps out with a scary face and a scarier voice! What's in your shadows today? Who's scaring you? What are you afraid of? In the scary night of a midlife divorce, there are thousands of things that make us anxious and afraid. The future makes our heart thump in our chest. The unknown makes our mouth go dry. Lack of confidence fills us with dread. But you know what? We can't let fear control us or dominate our thinking or rob us of our courage. If we face fear, acknowledge it and then say "I'm not going to let you determine my actions or paralyze me!" we can move forward in spite of our insecurity. It's one thing to say that. But listen to this: God, the creator, the all-powerful God of the universe, tells us "Don't be afraid!" "Fear not!" "Don't Panic!" He is that infinite strong presence who has promised that he will help us and give us strength and a power greater than our own. Take it! Stand firm on that reality. Nothing in the dark or the future or the present can stand up to the immeasurable power of God which he has promised to give each one of us. With God, you can be the one saying, "Boo!" to all of your fears about absolutely everything.

"Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you."
God -- Isaiah 41:10 (The Message)