Lately, I have lived in fear. Blame it on circumstance, blame it on busy, blame it on real life stuff, whatever the reason, the facts say the truth- fear has ruled my life these past few months.
I have tried to write about it, but the moment I begin to pour words on a page fear halts the process and I walk away in defeat. I have tried to get back into a consistent workout routine but fear says I’ve fallen too far behind. I’ve tried to do a lot of things, but fear says I can’t.
Over the past few months, God has been shifting things in my spirit, He’s changing dreams, thoughts, and convictions. It’s scary. If you’ve been reading my blog, you know that God gave me the word surrender this year, and I wrote paragraphs on how it scared me and how I ran from it for weeks.
I knew God wouldn’t give me a word that would become void, and I recognized that He would provide multiple ways to allow this word to be practiced and tested. Trust me when I tell you that surrender has been practiced. I made a decision recently that in the world’s eyes makes me an idiot, and I’ve given up things I said I never would. These changes in me are good, but they are a little alien-like right now, and in true God-shifting fashion it’s making me uncomfortable.
After fully embracing this season of surrender, I now find myself running again, but this time it’s for a different reason.
I am running from fear. Satan has this way of trying to deter and alter the wonderous plans God has for us. He will use whatever he can to keep us from living an all out, sold-out, life for the life-giver. Instead, he takes and steals and many times (for me at least) he takes advantage of fear and anxiety.
But, let it be noted that I have talked to satan STRAIGHT UP lately too, and I’m standing up to him. He doesn’t have me, he never has and he never will. Nice try, life-taker.
I’ve decided to go public with this stand-up-to-satan feat. Because when we stand up to satan, we are standing against fear. It’s important that we stand up because when we don’t, we are ultimately giving in. There is no in-between.
This month, I am going to keep running, but this time I am running into truth AWAY from fear and the life-taker. I have chosen to designate this month to leave fear in the dust and dedicate myself to full-on surrender without fear.
The May Morning Mile Challenge is the catalyst I’m using to start. I know, the name is kind of lame but let’s just go with it, okay?
In the month of May, I am committing to running a mile each morning as a declaration that my days will not be filled with fear, but with a strong will to be a better steward of surrender. I am not allowing fear to take from what God has in store for me. Each morning, the mile will be filled with worship and a theme verse centering around fear and anxiety. I am fighting with worship and the word all while literally running from fear. I love it, really!
BUT HERE IS THE BEST PART
I don’t want to do this alone, I want to do this TOGETHER. There is some SERIOUS power in joining together in agreement, plus, let’s be real…we need each other. Life is better together, plain and simple.
Maybe you are afraid of not being good enough and not being accepted. Maybe you are fearful that you are missing out on something better, or worried about that one person who has it out for you for reasons you cannot understand. You may be afraid of the next step to which God is calling you, or maybe you are fearful that a person you love will be taken from you. Whatever it is, we all struggle with fear. We serve a powerful, loving God who knows what is best for us. We do not have to be afraid because we are His kids, and He won’t leave us.
I have created a Closed Facebook Group for those who want to join together in the agreement that fear doesn’t have to rule our lives. This group is for those who want to literally run from what binds us from living the good life God has called us to live.
Each morning, I will post the verse of the day for you to use before your run. Who knows, I may even post a running worship playlist for us to listen to while we run! This group will keep us accountable and provide a safe place for encouragement and transparency. It would also be a lot of fun to meet at a nearby park at the end and run it out together!
Please know that you don’t HAVE to run (or run in the mornings) to participate. Feel free to walk if you aren’t into running! As long as you are reflecting and putting feet on the pavement you are fighting alongside us! If you miss a day and wake up late and need to run in the afternoon, that’s okay too. There is grace here because where there is grace, there is growth.
Ladies, click HERE if you are ready to stand up to satan, run in truth, and end fear.
Oh, and sorry guys, this is a girls only Facebook group : ).
I’m going to leave you with my favorite verse. It’s actually the foundation of Sunnie Side Up, and I think it goes perfectly the May Morning Challenge.
Do you want to make May your best month of 2018 yet! Comment below if you’re in!
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Jamie Wassum says
One day we will look back at these moments of struggle & realize we were actually blooming. Growth is a beautiful thing & I am truly grateful you have included me on your “May” journey. XOXO – Jamie Wassum