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She asked me to baptize her.
I sat with my friend on the sidelines, not far from the baptismal tank. When she asked I was so honored that I forgot to be nervous. But now I was.
Would I remember the words?
Would I remember to bring her up out of the water?
This may seem silly, but this was new to me. In every church I’ve ever attended, pastors baptize people, but in this church those who are to be baptized choose who they want to do the honor. And my friend had chosen me.
As the time came close, she leaned in and whispered, “Don’t drown me.” It was just the right thing to say. We both giggled and my nerves eased, as I realized she was a little nervous too. Baptizing my friend was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever got to do. It was sweet, sweet, sweet. The presence of God was there. When my friend came out of the water, she threw her hands up in the air in celebration and I wanted to dance with joy.
Isn’t it funny how fear tried to rob me of a beautiful gift?
Fear is the root of most of our confidence crises.
Fear of making a mistake.
Fear of falling short.
Fear of doing something new, even if it’s the coolest opportunity ever.
Fear is also a thief. It’s a natural reaction and we all feel it, but when it keeps us from doing something good, or stepping out in faith when God is the one leading, it robs us.
Years ago, when fear rose I wanted to shut down or run the other way. It took time, but eventually I understood that if I faced that fear and kept on going, that was bravery. I might fail. I might not do it perfect. I might even stand there with knees knocking and heart hammering, but I would learn something new. And next time, that same fear wouldn’t feel as big.
[bctt tweet=”Our faith is empowered as we invite the Holy Spirit into that confidence crisis. #SpiritLedHeart #livingfreetogether” username=”suzanneeller”]
I don’t know what fear you are facing today, but I know this.
Your faith is empowered when you invite the Holy Spirit into that confidence crisis. Big or small, when we ask for help, we are empowered to take that shaky step forward and the one after that. Our knees may be knocking and our heart hammering, but we are on the edge of growth and that’s a beautiful thing.
Fear doesn’t get to be the boss of me. It doesn’t get to be the boss of you. Whatever God is asking, say yes. You have a Helper!
Related Resource: Freebie
Download this printable Spirit-Led Heart Manifesto to remind you of how brave you really are, and where we find our source.
I’m usually very good on fear on the future, but when it comes to my boys I want to jump in and help, the Lord was saying pray, but lately the Lord is saying visit, I live on the East coast they live on the West coast in the same state. Praying for the right month to go right now! Want to wrab my arms around them both and say it’s going to be fine!
I understand the fear of Mom stuff! Praying for you Gina!!
What a great reminder to invite the Holy Spirit into every crisis big or small!
Yes to have faith over fear and in the midst of fear!
Oh Suzie, I desperately needed this today! I am dealing with the undercurrent of fear in my daughter’s life… a mental health issue that just seems so overwhelming. I constantly find myself in fear of what the future holds. It’s like two steps forward and three steps back. I’ve begun to fear obedience in the Lord because it seems to always be followed with massive warfare in my children’s lives. I don’t want to live a life of fear and never thought I struggled with this until reading your devotion this morning. Obviously I need to get a copy of your book. Love you sweet friend and thank you so much for sharing your gift of writing and speaking with us!💗
What a wonderful devotion! I know that I often fail to invite the Holy Spirit into my daily fears and worries as a first line of defense. It robs me of joy and peace.
Thank you for the reminders to keep my life spirit-led.
Fear is a liar. And yet one of the biggest and hardest things I believe for us to overcome. But we can. God has been dealing with me about several things, walking out of fear is one of them. I can be afraid in a moment but after I seek God and do it His way, that fear melts away.
I needed this today. I am facing some fear because I’m about to open an office for Holistic Nutrition in July and am feeling so very overwhelmed with things I have to do. I also have list some confidence in myself lately and I just so want to help people with achieving optimal health and with their walk with the Lord. Thank you for the reminder that our confidence is in God and not ourselves!
I woke up this morning with Mark 4:19 on my mind, “but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” I have battled anxiety and panic attacks off and on for the past 8 years. Now having a child, I battle it on a whole new level and fear has been rising up in me lately again, especially yesterday. But the truth that the Holy Spirit is at work IN me is the best place to park my mind. Thank you for this post!
Caryn, Lifting you up to our Lord to break the chains of anxiety and panic attacks. Asking our Lord to make his presence known to you in such a way that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have a helper, the Holy Spirit, dwelling in you and guiding you each day. Lord bless this mom with peace and calm and bless her child too. Remind her to rest in your promise that you will never leave her not forsake her, that you love her and the enemy is a liar that only comes to steal, rob and destroy. Jesus came so that we can have life and have it abundantly. Caryn, you are his chosen, blessed child-dwell in his loving word and arms. Simply calling Jesus, Jesus, Jesus in times of fear is so powerful-the enemy flees at the name of Jesus!
Wow thank you Nancy for personally writing all this for me!!!!!
Hi Caryn,
I understand the struggle of anxiety and panic attacks. You aren’t alone, dear sister. I developed a little acronym that has helped me during some of the difficult times. I pray it will encourage you, as well. Praying for peace over your heart and mind as Christ reveals Himself to you throughout the day!
P-When assaulted by an anxious thought, immediately pray against it. Renounce it as powerless in the name of Christ. (John 14:13)
R–Remind yourself of God’s promises. Memorize scriptures you can pray back to Him when you’re struggling. (James 4:8)
A–Ask others to pray with and for you. (James 5:16)
I-Develop intentional habits to help ward off anxiety. These might include daily Bible reading and meditation, regular exercise, and eating well. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
S-If anxiety becomes part of your day-to-day struggle, seek help from a counselor or doctor. (Proverbs 12:15)
E-Press into God, enduring with patience and hope for He will bless you. (James 1:12)
Tammy this acronym is amazing!! I have tools to help me in hard times but I always feel scattered about where to start. PRAISE is a beautiful way to organize the area. Thank you so much!!
Just what I needed this morning, thank you Suzie! We are going through a 2nd big move in just a year and career changes for my husband. And I am going back to work after being home with my 4 children for 10 years! We know God is calling us to something big but these beginnings look small and scary!
I can’t wait to read your new book and would love to win a copy!
I love that manifesto! I am going to set it as my lock screen on my phone. I have a friend going through a confidence crisis and just last night I told her that I didn’t know what to say. Now I do. I am going to send her the link to this devotion. Thank you for sharing your heart with us! 💜
Rebecca, Don’t you just love it when God shows up just as you need him for a specific situation and he does it in ways we don’t expect!! Lifting you up in prayer as you minister to your friend and praying for her to find the peace, joy and confidence knowing she has been created for a purpose and God has plans for her and will equip her to do what he has called her to do.
I agree that fear is a thief.
Thanks for your message today regarding fear – I would like to read your book!
Oh my!! Thank you for this devotion and blog post!! Fear often times overwhelms me and robs me of peace and joy. It also starts an ugly cycle of fear-anxiety- repeat. I need to remember to go to God first and then think about it! Thank you again!!
I am experiencing exactly what you wrote about. Fear of stepping out in faith. Fear if financial diffficulties.
I have been writing a devotional book and started a devotional blog with Gods leading and advice from Compel. Now it’s time to self publish and fear of the money involved and doubts about my book are trying to creep in even though I know God is in this. He is the author and I am the instrument.
Thank you for addressing this issue and giving such good advice.
Eileen, How exciting to be at the point of self publishing. Lifting you up in prayer that God will provide all that is needed for your book and that you will have faith and God confidence to move forward!!
I tend to start things and never finish them. Why? Because I lack the confidence to see it thru. I let the devil in my ear, telling me its not good enough, its not “right” enough. Then I put that project down, and I never go back to it. I never let myself go deeply enough into things because
I let fear win. I hope and pray that I can end that vicious cycle and let God help me WIN for change! AMEN!!
Lori, joining you in prayer, I too am a starter but not finisher in some projects and never thought fear was part of the reason I stopped. Lifting you up in prayer for the enemies lies to be bound and for your spirit and heart to be set free from fear of failure. I thank God for the revelation on fear that Lori gave me this morning. Thank you!!
Lori, I have a sweet grandchild that sometimes wants things to be perfect. It causes such angst. We have started saying this together when we begin a project. “We give ourselves permission to be messy.” This reminds us both that the most beautiful art begins with a mess. It takes shape. We learn through it. It may not look exactly like we thought it would, but it’s still beautiful. And it led us in paths that perfection wouldn’t allow. Praying with you today that you’ll give yourself lots of permission to be messy and find the joy in that. Celebrating with you!
Thank you so much for sharing these insights and your transparency, and the truth that fear wants to rob us of the beautiful gifts that God has planned for us to experience. I have been held hostage by fears for as far back as I can remember………please pray that the Lord will so fill me with His Spirit that I will be released from these fears and step out into the confident, joy-filled life He longs to see me living……
Linda, lifting you up to our Abba daddy, wonderful God to release you from the fears that prevent you from living the life God has planned for you. I pray that you are filled to overflowing with Holy Spirit power and embrace life. Lord break the chains that bind this beautiful sister in Christ and help her to step out in faith. In Jesus name I pray. Amen
Father, thank you for Linda. I pray that you step into the midst of her fear and remind her that she is not alone. Not ever. She is brave beyond belief for sharing this battle, and you hear her. I pray for freedom and for joy that is deep and rooted. In Jesus’ name.
Thank you for the reminder fear has robbed me way to much since my husband died.
Good morning – just found your blog through Proverbs 31. Thank you for a good word of encouragement. The enemy is so subtle, and I am grateful for a reminder – get back to basics, and stand firm. Reading through the comments is also uplifting – it reminds me that I am not alone, I am part of a beautiful thing called the Church. Lifting a prayer for those struggling today.
Thanks for this wonderful reminder this morning. Ready to face this day with a whole lot of help from the Holy Spirit.
Thank you so much for the reminder. Fear tends to rob me of too much. I would love to win a copy of The Spirit-Led Heart.
I think we all deal with fear but I’m learning to say no to fear and journal my thoughts and give them to God daily! Sounds like a book for everyone
Love and need this!! Thank you so much. Have read several of your articles and blogs now ~ they deeply touch my heart and Faith each and every time. Thank You!!! God BLESS you ~ greatly!
Such a great reminder, when I feel stuck, scared to make that next move. I would really love to win this book!
Thank you for this article. I would love to be included in the giveaway. Fear is certainly a joy killer. Thanks for the encouragement today.
Satan is the author of fear and we can’t let him win, but boy is that hard sometimes! Excited about this book!
Love love love this reminder! Jesus is always there to walk us through our fears-I just need to ask for help.
Fear is true emotion and the only thing God wants us to fear is Him. All things are done through the power of Christ and He walks and talks with us everyday, so we have nothing to fear. However, our human emotions are still there, we are steadfast to pray and continue to ask God to guide us and ease our fear and pains. The great thing about that is God is there and He cares and He knows all about our emotions and our feelings, before we even know. Here lately as I am in in the season of change I feel like God is my steadfast and I ask him every morning and every night to guide my steps and to walk with me, because I am afraid and I do have fears, but I have the blessed assurance, just as he guided me to this blog today,
that I have NOTHING TO FEAR, but God Himself, and since I am a friend of God, I walk with him everyday, I try to live right and do His will and be a service to His people I don’t have to fear Him. I thank you God for being a stronghold in my life, I pray a blessing over this ministry. God Bless
Thank you, Annie. <3
I really needed this today. I have more than one thing in my life right now I am terrified of doing, but they are good things and I believe them to be God’s leading. My old self would truly run away and just not do them and not face them and try to “hide” from them. God is good and has allowed me to grow and stretch more and more. I have had a pretty severe anxiety disorder my entire life. It has kept me from getting involved in things, even things I desperately wanted to be a part of. I have worked very hard with God’s help to move past that over the past several years. He has enabled me to do more than I ever thought possible. There are so many things now in my life and experiences I would have missed out on if I hadn’t stepped out in faith. Don’t get me wrong, I still struggle with wanting to run from things. This week in particular I have a few big ones, and I’m praying and trusting God. He has always been faithful in the past. I know he will be in the future. (but its’ always a challenge LOL)
I think if we understood how powerful it was just to show up and do what God has asked us to do, rather than base it on how well it’s going to turn out, then we’d flip this on its head. I’m calling you brave and courageous for showing up. For stepping into those things even when you re afraid. For facing down fear and taking those experiences as a gift, rather than going the other way. You’ve just preached a beautiful sermon of faith, Jodi. Cheering you on!
Thank you Suzie! I think I fall into the trap way too often of trying to do things in my own strength. God is always good!! 🙂
I have an anxiety disorder too so I know the hard work it takes to overcome! Praying for you with these current situations in your life Jodi! Fear of the unknown is picturing a future without God showing up, and we know in our heart of hearts that HE WILL ALWAYS BE THERE!
Love that! Yes, I need to keep that in my heart and mind over the next two weeks when I let my imagination of “worst case” play out. Thank you so much and you are in my prayers as well Caryn!!
FEAR!! It effects all of us. Thank you for your devotional this morning reminding me that through Christ we can be over come this!!
You have to do it scared, push through the fear to see the beauty!
Fear doesn’t get to be the boss of me anymore. I lived in fear most of my life, fear of getting it wrong, fear of being found out, fear that my best was never good enough. After years of depression and hiding from all my fears, I have spent the last few months stepping out boldly and confidently. It has been hard work, working with a therapist, naming my fears and overcoming the past events that kept me living in fear. Yet, living confidently and boldly and fearless has been worth all the hard work, especially when I see others receiving beautiful gifts from God when I share, love and serve from all that God has given me,
You go, Melanie! You are a Warrior Princess! “Fear doesn’t get to be the boss of me anymore.” Amen.
THANK YOU for revealing and reminding us the REAL TRUTH about how fear works and about our Heavenly Father’s PERFECTLY LOVING SOLUTION to help us handle it victorious. How soon we forget our Sovereign Lord when we fear. No wonder Scripture constantly remind us “Do not fear”! And how often we forget about the 3rd Godhead, the Holy Spirit who is faithfully and powerfully at our sides.
Fear is the greatest tool that Satan has to paralyze the flow of life from the Holy Spirit. Fear brings me into a prison of aimless wandering in the spiritual realm. I’m now focused on rooting out this evil poison in my life. I am in a stage where change is needed in order to grow in Christ and find peace and confidence through following God’s way. Thank you for writing so clearly of the way we need to be victorious and enjoy Christ in every area of life.
The Lord showed me years ago how I lived fear focused instead of faithful as a daughter of His.
It was through the Lord’s loving healing hands that helped set me free from living in fear. I have liberty in Christ!! Set apart! And Set free!
As I seek Him in His Word daily I am filled with His truths and promises… Truths and promises I keep my heart focused on. I always keep my heart attentive to these two powerful words we read in our Bibles.
But God…
I am grateful to God for His promises and truth’s as I face fear and no longer allow the lies of the enemy to bully me around!!
He chose me and I choose Him and through His grace I put His armor on each day and I go about my day to day life as His daughter surrendered walking in obedience, faithful.
Not perfect by any means, I cant do it with out the Lord, but with Him I can
Blessings!
Denise
Amazing reminder of how God is always in control, he definitely does not need us helping us do his job, all he asks is that we Trust him. Amen!
Thank you for sharing this today. Fear is one of Satan’s favorite weapons and sometimes, I am sad to say, Satan doesn’t have to do too much to use it against me. I see a difficult situation approaching and give right into it. How frustrating it has to be for God to watch us, his children, do it time and time again. What a great reminder that He has given us the weapon of faith to combat that fear and drive it out!
Thank you for highlighting that behind our fear is an attack on our faith; that we have the Holy Spirit available to us to remind us of God’s truths (His Word) so we can reject satan’s lies.
Thanks for giving us a chance to win. I been wanting this book.love the tweet able quote
Fear is a joy stealer. The joy of the Lord is my strength. If I can just remember that and choose joy, I will fear less. Scripture tells us perfect love drives out fear. Where do we find perfect love? In Christ alone. If I want to fear less, I must stay close to Christ and rest in His strength. Only then, can I burst forth with joy and become fearless. Thanks for sharing.
Amen, Delores!
I totally agree with what you wrote. Thank you.
Thank you for sharing your fears with us & giving us helpful tips on how to prevent it from taking control. Fear can definitely deprive us from some of the best, most positive, & memorable things.
Great reminder of Who is really in control. And to remember” He has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
I love that verse.
WOW what an opener. How I’ve fallen short so many times. Thank you for the encouraging word. How much more I need to learn, trust and believe is at times a struggle
Fear is hard to deal with. I cling to Isaiah 41:10 for strength. Thank you for your devotional.I try to rely on the Lord each day for strength and confidence. Anxiety is very hard to deal with.
It is hard and you are brave for meeting it with such honesty and courage. Lord, cover Susanne with your anointing. Pour over her. Thank you for your precious daughter.
I have related often to these Holy Spirit led emails, blogs, writings…almost 63, spouse 2 times cancer survivor, adult sons and their families out of state and I have been applying for work out of state w the hope that we can move closer towards our sons. Today’s message knee knocking heart pounding is this MY will Lord or YOURS as I have only become recently equally yoked (married 41 years) and my husband became born again 2016. Yep. Endurance. Saturating ,yield in the scriptures (BSF).
Thank you. Community w like mind and like age w your writings. Refreshed.
(P.s. Back in November someone stated they were your assistant and that I won a book but I have never received it)
Vida, which book was it?
Fear the most of the time bother me. But God is in control. Our faith is empowered as we invite the Holy Spirit into that confidence crisis. Amen.
Fear has held me back in so much of my life! Fear of failure, worrying about what others think of me, feeling that I am not good enough, the list goes on and on.
This blog really helped me today. I was hitting rock bottom.
Father, wrap around Diana. Hold her heart close. Heal those wounds and fill the gaps that only you can. She is braver than she knows, and you are bigger than we often realize. Thank you for a new tomorrow and for walking with her every step of the way.
Fear holds me back in ministering, giving a word sometimes and sharing my Young Living Essential Oil business with training as well. It holds me back from speaking up. Thank you! Mary
So, so good!! Yes! Jesus said to be anxious for nothing and asked why we fret and worry. My human knee-jerk reaction is to try to fix something on my own. I tend to forget that I need to take it to God and wait for Him.
I can’t wait to read The Spirit-Led Heart: Living a life of love and faith without borders!!
Thank you so much for your encouragement, Suzie. Thank you for offering to give one of your books away. Whoever receives it will be blessed I’m sure 🙂
This reminded me of the song “Fear is a Liar” because fear tells us so many things to bring us down and kill our confidence and sense of self-worth but fear is lying.
I have let fear and a lack of confidence rob me of so many joyful opportunities in the past. I’m reminded that the focus should never be on me but on Him. Thank you for this blog post today.
I really connected with the post on How to handle a Confidence Crisis. Throughout my life there has been a lot of loss, pain, and spiritual battles because of it. I am baptized in Christ but I do fall out at times and begin to question why God why this? I end up with the battlefield in my mind instead of going to the Word, and I do ask for forgiveness since you shouldn’t question but trust and have confidence. I thank God for my small group from church, if I doubt they pray and point out a scripture. It’s okay to question God why you fell out, why are you falling out especially since I gave my life to Christ. Some days I’m okay and some days I question, but I find my way back. Is there a study on the new book? Sounds like I need to read it.
I really enjoyed the devotional today! It really spoke to the place I have been in lately especially this part, “The truth is, we’re only asked to do the best we know as a parent, a friend or a leader in ministry, and we don’t get to stake a claim in a person’s personal relationship with God, no matter what that looks like” Suzie Eller. Thank you so much for being real and transparent!