Based on "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young
What were you afraid of when you were little? As a pre-schooler, Julie was afraid of the animated witches in Disney movies. She knew they were witches from the first time they showed their pointy eyebrows and strange wardrobes on screen. She didn't have to hear them laugh cruelly as they transformed into hideous, horrible creatures.
Snap. TV's off and the witch is gone. We go about our day. Then it's bedtime. The witch makes a comeback in Julie's mind that's bigger than the on-screen version. We checked under the bed, in the closet, behind everything we could check but the witch isn't in any of these places. The words "not real," "just a movie," and "pretend" meant nothing to our little girl as she struggled with fear and imaginary shadows. Tom and I had left witches in our childhood and had moved on to greater shadows of adulthood such as worrying about our child and whether or not we would get the bills paid, but we couldn't comfort Julie because she was in the valley surrounded by animated witches. All the talking in the world didn't work. Only our presence until she fell asleep brought any peace.
Father, help us "pour all our energy" into trusting You. One person's valley is a past stepping-stone of faith for another, so help us be patient with those who seem determined to stay in valleys we've survived. Please help others be patient with us when they've "been there, done that and have the t-shirt" about what we're facing. Our goal is to trust You completely and to help others walk through their shadowy valleys of fears. Quick, glib and simple answers do no one any good so clamp Your Holy Hand over our mouths when we want to pass them on to struggling people. Strengthen us to focus on You full force when we're sure the witch is out to get us. Hold us through it all. Help us put pleasing You as our number one priority today. You are wonderfully poised to strike down the fears that freeze our hearts, real or imagined. I love You Lord.
In the name of Jesus who cast out demons and taught us not to judge others
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1-2
"Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe." Proverbs 29:25
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