Read: Isaiah 43: 1-2
Reflect: Sitting in the cold, oh-so-familiar courtroom at age 17, I sat fearfully waiting for the judge’s response. Would the judge care what we’ve been through? Would he notice the injuries to my sister’s face? Would he know that at 17, we did the unthinkable? We gave it one last shot. We went to an attorney for help because we didn’t trust the agency that was supposed to help us. How could we? They had not given us much to trust.
As we sat before the judge, we heard arguments from Child Protective Services and our attorney. Then we fearfully waited for the judge to make a ruling. As the attorneys spoke, they spoke of our fear of our legal guardian and the active investigation against her.
the wait felt like an eternity
The wait felt like an eternity, and every second felt like forever. Then I heard the words I longed to hear: “The children are without proper care and control under the Juvenile Act.” I had heard those words before, and I knew what that meant; I was free and wasn’t going back. I was in the custody of Child Protective Services again and not in the care of my treacherous guardian anymore.
fear is a funny thing…
Fear is a funny thing, isn’t it? It’s the thing that keeps us going but also holds us back. It pushes us forward when we have nothing else to lose. It also keeps us up at night but allows us to give it one last shot.
where does courage come from?
It’s been years since that August day that God sat with me as we looked fear in the face and became fearless. I have learned since then that being fearless doesn’t mean you won’t walk through it; it means you’ll be brave enough to conquer it. Where can we find the courage that will back us up? From the Lord God Himself: But now, this is what the LORD says—He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. (Isaiah 43:1-2)
become fearless
So, in your worst days of fear, when you don’t want to give it one last shot, remember God has given you the ability to look fear in the face and become fearless.
For further reading that will encourage your heart, read the testimony of the Apostle Paul in II Corinthians 1:9-11