Rest or Rustle? Two Choices When We Feel Threatened

Thankfully, the mother bird saw the rat snake before the rat snake saw her.

She was perched on the edge of the nest she had woven in my hanging basket, a wriggling worm dangling from her beak. Ready to drop it into the open mouth of one of her fledglings, she froze, then quickly hopped into the nest. Her squawking babies quieted as she covered them with her outstretched wings. Hunkering down atop her tiny charges, she blended into the foliage until the slithering serpent passed by.

Those babies may have been newly hatched, but they knew something I sometimes forget—that danger is an invitation to trust. As my friend Nan Jones says, “It’s better to rest than to rustle.” The Psalmist puts it this way:

“I will trust in the shelter of your wings,” (Psalm 61:4).

When danger threatens me or my family, my default setting is to start squawking. I cry. I fret. I call my friends. I wring my hands and wail as if the Philistines were storming the gates. I work myself into an emotional tizzy that would rival a two-year-old’s bedtime meltdown. In the end, I’m left spent and exhausted.

On other days, when my heart is full of God’s Word and I’ve spent time in prayer, I react much differently. Like the baby birds in my geranium, I seek the shadow of my heavenly Father’s protective wings and rest quietly, trusting that he will care for me.

What about you? How do you react when something scary threatens you? When are you more likely to respond with faith instead of fear? Leave a comment below and join the conversation. If you're reading by email, click HERE to leave a comment at the bottom of the post.

Does Your Faith Need Refreshing?

That's in the Bible? I've never noticed that before!

It's probably been too long since you've newly discovered a story that speaks to your soul or a verse that pops with truth. But that's about to change!


Refresh Your Faith contains 66 culturally relevant, story-driven devotions, one from each book of the Bible. Each real-life story spotlights an unusual verse or Bible passage that you may have overlooked in your usual Bible reading. Lori Hatcher challenges you with additional features like an uncommon thought to ponder; an unusual faith action step; and an unfamiliar passage suggestion for additional Bible reading.

When the fabulous has become familiar and your quiet times are more like nap times, it's time to step out of spiritual boredom and ignite the spark that will keep you growing. No matter where you are on your faith journey, Lori's conversational and engaging style will challenge you to think about things you've never thought about before.

“Real-life inspiration and candid wit. These 5-minute devotions will change your life.” —Psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Leman, commenting on Lori Hatcher's devotional style

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Refusing to Ride the Worry Train

“Sue, I’d like to talk with you about a problem. I’ll see you in my office first thing Monday morning.” 

Ever gotten an email like this? On Friday afternoon at five, when the whole weekend stretches before you, and there’s nothing you can do except fret? 

Or how about a voice mail like this one: “Hello Mrs. Gooding, this is Dr. Simpson. I just got the results of Buster’s pathology report. Unfortunately, it’s not good. The office is closed for the weekend, but call me first thing Monday, and we’ll discuss your options.” Two days to wait with nothing to do but worry and cry. 

When was the last time you were afraid? Afraid you’d lose your job, your health, your home, your loved one? Afraid of punishment or persecution, poverty, or pain? When have you faced an agonizing wait—for a diagnosis, a deliverance, a breakthrough, or a rescue? 

Sometimes God allows uncertainty into our lives to test us. He tested Abraham, and he tested Job. He tested the Israelites in the wilderness: 

“Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands” (Deu. 8:2). 

But unlike the statement above, “. . . there’s nothing you can do except fret,” there is something else we can do. Every fearful situation leaves us with two choices—we can respond in fear, or we can respond in faith. 

When we respond in fear, we torment ourselves with every possible scenario—all horrible. We can’t sleep, we can’t eat (or we overeat), and we can’t concentrate on anything but IT. Scary thoughts consume every waking moment. What if . . . ? What if . . . ? What if . . . ? 

If we’re Christians, our all-consuming worry makes a mockery of everything we say we believe. Our mouths say, “I believe God’s promises,” but our actions say, I believe God’s promises only when everything’s going well. 

When we respond in faith, we command fear instead of allowing fear to command us. 

When fear wraps our necks in a suffocating choke hold, we whisper the promises of God. 

When fear screams lies into our souls, we shout back truth in the name of Jesus. 

When fear pounds us with what-ifs and whys, we fight back with “Fear not, for I . . .” 

When we respond in faith, we choose to believe what God says instead of what our circumstances tell us. We rein in our thoughts and make them captive to the obedience of Christ. We refuse to ride the worry train to its miserable destination. 

If you’re experiencing a frightening situation right now, God may be testing you to see what is in your heart and to see if you will obey his commands. Contrary to what you may think, you have two choices—faith or fear. Which is it going to be? 

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior,” (Isa. 43:1-3). 

What about you? Which choice usually wins when you encounter something scary? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. If you’re reading via email, click HERE to visit Hungry for God online, scroll down, and share your thoughts.

That's in the Bible? I've never noticed that before!


It's probably been too long since you've newly discovered a story that speaks to your soul or a verse that pops with truth. But that's about to change!


Refresh Your Faith contains 66 culturally relevant, story-driven devotions, one from each book of the Bible. Each real-life story spotlights an unusual verse or Bible passage that you may have overlooked in your usual Bible reading. Lori Hatcher challenges you with additional features like an uncommon thought to ponder; an unusual faith action step; and an unfamiliar passage suggestion for additional Bible reading.

When the fabulous has become familiar and your quiet times are more like nap times, it's time to step out of spiritual boredom and ignite the spark that will keep you growing. No matter where you are on your faith journey, Lori's conversational and engaging style will challenge you to think about things you've never thought about before.

“Real-life inspiration and candid wit. These 5-minute devotions will change your life.” —Psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Leman, commenting on Lori Hatcher's devotional style

Are you hungry for God, but starving for time? 
I’d love to send you a 5-minute e-mail devotion twice a week to start your day off with the Lord. 

Sign up for a free subscription to Hungry for God by CLICKING HERE.
Then, be sure to VALIDATE the confirmation email you receive. 

Note: I promise never to spam you or share your email address.

Because busy women need to connect with God in the craziness of everyday life.

Living in a Scary World -- 3 Ways to Take Control

“And then the ugly, old troll said to little Billy goat gruff, ‘Who is that tripping over my bridge?’” 

Determined to entertain my granddaughters without turning on the television, I was retelling one of their favorite stories. I raised my hands like claws and contorted my face into my best ugly, old troll impression as I rasped out, “Whoever it is . . . I . . . am . . . going . . . to eat you up!’” 

My youngest granddaughter, Caroline, had been watching my face with wide eyes during the whole story. When I crouched down to imitate the scary troll, however, my dramatization was simply too realistic for her tender little heart. Her bottom lip poked out, and her smile turned upside down. When her eyebrows scrunched up, I knew she was just seconds away from bursting into tears. 

“No, no, no.” I said, scooping her into my arms. “Don’t cry. The ugly old troll isn’t going to eat little Billy goat gruff. His big brother’s going to come along and rescue him!” I hugged her tightly and planted a kiss on her head. “And they’ll live happily ever after in the meadow eating grass and growing fat.” Another hug and a few more kisses calmed her fears, and soon, all was right with the world again. 

As I reflected on the experience, I realized Caroline isn’t the only one who’s frightened by scary stories. I am, too. Every day I hear of acts of terror, heinous crimes, and unforgivable sins. News streams churn with graphic details and up-to-the-minute coverage. Facebook posts share sad stories of loved ones battling cancer, marital break ups, and local crimes. And if that’s not enough, Live PD provides “entertainment” by riding along with law enforcement officers as they patrol my city. Just what I need – irrefutable evidence that criminals are alive and well and stalking my neighbors. 

We live in frightening days, but we don’t have to live frightened lives. And we are not victims to the things that make us scared. With a little planning, we can not only conquer our fears, but avoid most of them. 

Here are three suggestions: 

1. Filter your news coverage. 

Don’t watch continuous news coverage. You don’t have to click on every video that comes across your feed. While it’s important to be informed, we don’t have to allow ourselves to be inundated with scary stories or graphic film footage. Most of us are over-saturated with information and would do well to limit the time we spend watching the news. For me, the five-minute radio news on the way to work in the morning is plenty. It briefs me on the top stories in the world and in my area, but doesn’t give too many details. 

 2. Choose your recreational reading material carefully. 

Some of my friends like psychological thrillers and murder mysteries for bedtime reading. “I was so scared after reading that book,” one friend told me, “I slept with the light on for a week.” Filling our minds with sadistic, gruesome tales provides rich material for our subconscious (and conscious) minds to work with. Before we know it, we’re checking behind the shower curtain and seeing intruders in every dark corner. 

Philippians 4:8 provides a plumb line for what we allow into our minds. “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things.” 

3. Skip the horror movies, graphically-violent, and dark-themed television shows and movies. 

My husband enjoyed watching NCIS when it first came on Netflix. Sometimes I’d watch it with him. While I found the investigation/mystery component fascinating, I noticed I tended to worry a lot more about my naval officer son-in-law after watching it. I know his assignment puts him in harm’s way, and I pray daily for him, but watching the show planted a whole new set of fears in my mind. 

Romans 16:19 tells us to be wise about what is good, and simple concerning what is evil. This verse, paired with Philippians 4:8, confirm that we don’t need to know everything about the dark deeds people commit against one another to stay safe. Some education is necessary to protect ourselves, but graphic details breed fear rather than enlightenment. 

If you, like me and our little Caroline, tend to be frightened by the things you read and hear, why not try a Philippians 4:8 experiment? For one week, filter your news coverage, choose your recreational reading material carefully, and skip the scary movies and television. Choose instead to fill your mind with things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. Read a Christian novel, watch an inspiring movie, or spend some time in God’s Word. At the end of the week, assess your fear level. I’m confident you’ll see a positive change. 

Now it’s your turn. Do you struggle with fear? What steps do you take to combat it? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.

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What Justice Taught Me about Mercy

I really like my friend Jean’s dog, Justice. A Golden Retriever, he’s handsome, loving, and loyal. I look forward to going to Jean’s home, not just because I enjoy her company, but because I get to pet Justice. 

The last time I visited, Justice came bounding around the corner of the house as soon as I pulled into the driveway. Noticing that he’d stopped about 20 yards away, I called to him. 

“Hey, Justice. C’mere buddy, I want to pet you.” 

Justice’s tail wagged. His tongue hung out the side of his mouth in a happy, slobbery grin. But he didn’t budge from his spot. 

“What’s wrong with Justice?” I asked. 

“Oh, he won’t come,” Jean said. “We have an invisible fence. . . Of course, he isn’t wearing his collar, but it doesn’t matter. He won’t cross the line.” 

Justice and I have a lot in common. 

Some days I romp in the fields of freedom, loving and being loved. I share my faith with joy and step into opportunities God gives me with bold abandon. 

Other days I wear the collar of past sins, failures, and insecurities. I allow myself to become entangled in the yoke of legalistic bondage I could never satisfy. I hesitate to share my faith because the choke chain of imperfection silences the mercy truth on my lips. I second-guess God-given opportunities because of the suffocating noose of fear. I'm afraid to cross boundaries of my own making.

But in God’s kingdom, there are no collars or invisible fences. 

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,” the apostle Paul proclaimed, “and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” (Gal. 5:1). 

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:1). 

“And he that sat upon the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new!”” (Rev. 21:5). 

What collar is keeping you from walking into God’s plan for your life? If Jesus is your Savior, you don’t have to wear it any more. 

What invisible fence is holding you back? If Christ is Lord of your life, it no longer has the power to limit you. Take the collar off. Step over the invisible fence. Walk into the purpose for which God created you. 

“So if the Son sets you free,” Jesus promised, “you will be free indeed” (John 8:36).

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When I Am Afraid

“Giiiiiiiiii gi!” 

My two-and-a-half-year-old granddaughter’s frightened cry pierced the happy quiet of my backyard. 

Moments before, she’d been playing peacefully. Now she was racing toward me, her eyes wide with fear. Kneeling down, I opened my arms, and she flung herself into them, her breath coming in short, hard gasps. 

“What’s wrong, baby girl?” I asked, looking around for a big dog or a scary snake. 

“Airplane,” she said, pointing to the sky. 

Sure enough, there was a jet, high in the sky, making its noisy ascent from the nearby airport. 

“That airplane won’t hurt you,” I said, wrapping my arms around her trembling little body, “but you did good to come to Gigi. Gigi will always protect you.” 

This morning in my quiet time I read Psalm 56:3, “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” 

It reminded me of the way Lauren ran to me when the airplane frightened her. Because she’s learned to trust me, she instinctively knew I would protect her. Her child-like faith rested securely in me. 

I want to be like Lauren when big, scary things disrupt my life and make me afraid. Only instead of running to a person for protection, I want to run straight into the loving arms of my heavenly Father. I know I can trust him, because he’s demonstrated over and over again how much he loves me. 

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32). 

I love Lauren, and I would die to save her. God loves me even more, and he already died to save me. What further proof do I need that I can trust him with whatever comes my way? 

Although 50 years separate Lauren and me, we’re a lot alike. We are both frightened easily, but we also both know where to run for safety. 

What about you? Is something big and scary threatening you today? Run to Jesus.

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What Makes You Afraid? How to Conquer Fear

I could make a very long list if I jumped on that train. I started to list what frightens me most, but it was too scary. Seriously. My goal today is to help you conquer fear, not give in to it. 

So let’s acknowledge, in a general sense, that there are aspects of this world that frighten the daylights out of us. Fear is a natural response. We become afraid when someone or something we care about is threatened. 

You need to know two things about fear: 

1. Fear, unbridled, can make us powerless. 

2. Fear, channeled, can make us powerful. God gave fear to protect us. 

Healthy fear is good and necessary. We fear death, so we don’t jump off mountains, drive recklessly, or pick fights with gang members. We fear disease, so we exercise regularly, take vitamins, and use sunscreen. We fear financial ruin, so we save regularly, work diligently, and invest wisely. 

Unbridled fear, however, can become a vicious captor. It locks us in a prison of our own vulnerabilities and throws away the key. It steals the sunshine from our days and the sleep from our nights. Fear knows we are most vulnerable when the house is quiet and the world is dark, so it waits beside our bed to whisper custom-designed what ifs into our trembling ears. 

But while God has given us the ability to feel fear, he hasn’t given us a spirit of fear. Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father, and unbridled fear is not a good and perfect gift. Unrestrained, it renders us powerless, but channeled, it can make us powerful. 

How? 

It depends on what we do with it. Like the warning bells at a railroad crossing, fear can alert us to danger so we can take appropriate action to protect ourselves and those we love. It can also point out areas of vulnerability or concern so we can claim God’s promises and pray diligently. 

Here’s an example: 

One day Fear points out the statistic that 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. This scary fact causes me to think about six of my closest friends and their husbands. Fifty percent? That means three of my friends’ marriages could break up. Then Fear flashes another statistic in front of my eyes—that the second highest rate of divorce occurs during the empty nest years. Yikes! That’s where we all are. Now I’m really afraid. I’m convinced that three of the six couples I care about are doomed. Which ones will it be? 

Because Fear loves a crowd, it motivates me to share my findings with my friends. They start thinking about their husbands’ cute secretaries, the long hours they spend on their computers, or the way they’ve been quiet and preoccupied lately. By the time Fear has clocked out for the day, it’s disturbed and distressed four women. Since its quota was only one, its bonus check will be rolling in soon. 

But we don’t have to jump on the fear train. There is a better way. 

“Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18). Fear and love cannot coexist. Because God is love, and, if we’re believers, God lives within us, his love can neutralize the fearful darts of the enemy. 

Here’s an example: 

One day Fear points out the statistic that 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. That scary fact causes me to think about my six closest friends and their husbands. Fifty percent? That means three of my friends’ marriages could break up. Then Fear waves another statistic under my nose—the second highest rate of divorce occurs during the empty nest years. Yikes! That’s where we all are. Now I’m really afraid. 

But God’s Spirit, whose voice is more powerful than the spirit of fear, takes control. He reminds me of the couples’ Bible study I read about online. What if you invite your friends to meet once a week for a marriage Bible study? He whispers in my ear. I share the idea with my husband, who suggests that we invite another couple to co-lead the study with us. We pray about it, then propose the idea to our friends. They enthusiastically embrace it, and we begin our study. 

Four years later, we’re still meeting together to study, support, and pray for our marriages—and all six couples are still married. 

The next time Fear whispers (or shouts) in your ear, I suggest you take these steps: 

1. Hold up your fear to the truth of Scripture (2 Cor. 10:5). Ask, is this fear legitimate? 

2. If yes, pray about it. Place the burden on God’s broad shoulders, and leave it there. 

3. Search the Scriptures. Is there a promise you can claim, a principle you can apply, or an example you can learn from? I guaranteed there is. God’s Word is applicable to all situations. 

4. Ask God to show you if there’s any action you should take. If yes, do it. 

5. Believe that God can and will work in your situation. 

6. Every time Fear whispers in your ear, silence his voice with the Word of God and prayer.

Repeat steps 1-6 as often as needed until you banish Fear and win the victory. 

Now it’s your turn. What are you afraid of? Don’t let Fear make you powerless. Instead, let it make you powerful. 

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand” (Eph. 6:10).

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The Fight - A Guest Post by Shannon Upton

I used to be scared all the time, which meant I was brave most of the time. 

I was brave when I stepped outside my home. I was brave when I met the eye of a grocery store cashier. I was brave when I allowed my kids to climb up a ladder and slip down a slide. Every moment that I fought my panic, I was brave. 

I developed a postpartum anxiety disorder after the birth of my second child. The anxiety seized my heart for four long years before the Lord in His mercy lifted it from me. My memories of those years are laced with my constant struggle to be brave. I prayed, I tried, I succeeded and I failed. And I learned. 

“Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14) 

First, I learned that being organized actually lessened my anxiety. Without direction, I wandered around in worry, attempting to prevent each possible calamity. I soon realized that I had to be thoughtful and intentional about my life — not just to turn from evil but to do good. I planned out my days and then I gave each of them over to God, bravely loosening my grip. 

I also learned that I could fight the fear. Peace was not something I was going to sit around and wait for! Part of being brave was to seek peace and pursue it. I paid close attention to my thoughts and feelings, searching for those things that were causing me anxiety. Then I bravely went to battle. 

When I started to panic about things that weren’t even happening, I’d think, No. I trust in God. When I felt helplessly rushed, I’d think, Wait, what’s my hurry? And when I felt that my anxiety kept me from measuring up to others’ expectations (or even my own), I’d think, Who says I have to do that? Does God? 

When I left my clinical anxiety behind, I realized that a more pedestrian anxiety lives within all of us. We worry that we’re not being the parents or spouses or children of God we should be. We feel rushed, like we don’t have the time to get to the things that matter. We secretly feel certain that we don’t measure up. But God doesn’t want those fears to clutter our hearts. He wants us to be brave. 

What fears and anxieties are cluttering up your spirit? Over the next few days, listen to your repetitive negative thoughts. Some of those thoughts will be useful, prompting you do get organized and do good. Some of those thoughts will be useless and hurtful, and you’ll need to pursue peace by deciding to surrender them to God. 

Paul says that we’re to demolish all arguments that aren’t of God, to take captive our thoughts and make them obedient to Christ (II Corinthians 10:5). Demolish. Take captive. How very brave we are called to be when it comes to our own spirits! And how the Lord helps us through the fight. 

Shannon Upton is a mother of three and a Christian speaker. Her experience with postpartum anxiety led her to start a ministry for Christian women and author two books, Organizing You: Finding Your Spiritual Clutter and Using Organization to Clear it Out and Building Your House: A Faithful Mom’s Guide to Organizing Home and Family. You can learn more about Shannon and her ministry at OrganizingJesusMoms.com.

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When we fear for our children

“You don’t have to be scared of school,” I overheard a young mother in cowboy boots telling her little boy as they left the store. Her toned arms, one embellished with a dainty tattoo, were wrapped around an assortment of brand new khaki pants and blue polos. School uniforms, I guessed. 

“Mrs. Johnson is your teacher, and she is a very good woman,” she said, her voice rising for emphasis. Gazing down into his wide blue eyes, she concluded, “She’s protective, and she’s smart.” 

He fiddled with the toy in his hands. She chewed her lip. I wondered who she hoped the speech would convince—the little boy about to enter kindergarten, or her, about to send her baby off to school for the first time. 

“I never used to be afraid,” another young mother confided to me as her baby played quietly at her feet, “but now I worry about everything.” 

Sickness. Accidents. Choking. Drowning. SIDS. The list of potential threats is endless, and our ability to protect our children is limited. Our love for them is fierce, and the lengths we go to protect them are long. Yet we recognize our frailties, and fear hovers at the edges of our days and chases the sleep from our nights. 

Well-meaning friends challenge us to “Trust God,” but how? Others tell us to pray, but we wonder if it does any good. 

I’ve parented for a quarter of a century and by no means do I have it figured out, but I speak as one who knows and understands. My besetting sin is worry—I’ll battle it all my life, I suspect, like Paul’s thorn in the flesh. Perhaps it came as a free gift with the Welcome Home Baby packet filled with samples of shampoo and wipes. Or maybe it has dwelt in my heart all along and only climbed into the front seat as my husband and I brought our first child home from the hospital. 

I speak to you young mothers, and older ones, too, not as a theologian, but as a Christian mama walking the path with you. 

Here are two ways to fight worry: 

1. Get to know God. 

The more you know God, the more you will trust him. The more you trust him, the less fearful you will become. 

“But bad things happen to people who know and love God,” you may say, and you are correct. Bad things do happen to people who know and love God. Bad things also happen to people who don’t know and love God. 

Knowing God isn’t a magic charm to protect us and our children from harm, but when we know God, we have someone to run to. He gives us truth to help make sense of this world, weapons to combat the forces of evil, and wisdom to make wise choices. Best of all, he gives us a rock on which to stand when the entire world seems to be sinking sand. 

2. Learn to pray. 

Prayer doesn’t keep all harm from our lives, but it allows us to partner with God to affect the world around us. “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective,” James 5:16 tells us. Jesus instructed his followers, “When you pray . . . ,” and the Holy Spirit through Paul challenged believers to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thes. 5:17). Through prayer we battle the spiritual forces of wickedness, the evil intents of mankind, and the foolishness of others. 

Stormie Omartian, in The Power of a Praying Woman Bible, says this: “The battle for our lives, and the lives and souls of our children, our husbands, our friends, our families, our neighbors, and our nation is waged on our knees. When we don't pray, it's like sitting on the sidelines watching those we love and care about scrambling through a war zone, getting shot at from every angle. When we do pray, however, we're in the battle alongside them, approaching God's power on their behalf. If we also declare the Word of God in our prayers, then we wield a powerful weapon against which no enemy can prevail.” 

 By getting to know God, we understand his heart. When we understand his heart, we have faith to pray. And when we pray, we are able to say, “Here are my requests, God. I trust you to do what’s best.” 

Fear is destructive—it steals the joy from our present and from our future. Prayer is constructive—it brings peace to our present and to our future. 

And so, young mothers and old ones, too, how do we keep from being afraid? We get to know God, and we learn to pray. It takes a moment to say, and a lifetime to learn. I hope you’ll join me on the journey. 

How do you combat fear? What are your favorite Scripture passages or promises to claim during fearful times? I’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below and share your thoughts. 

“Do not be anxious about anything,” Paul encouraged the Philippian believers, “but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7)

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What Comes Out When You Are Squeezed?

He asked the question, "When you squeeze a tube of toothpaste, what comes out?"

It seemed an odd question to pose in a Bible study. Although the question had an obvious answer, everyone was afraid to say it because it was, well, obvious. Everyone knows the obvious answer is usually wrong.

One brave soul finally spoke out hesitantly.

"Toothpaste?"

"Correct!" proclaimed the teacher.

He asked another question.  "When you are squeezed, what comes out?"

The teacher went on to point out that while it's easy to say and do the right (aka "Christian") things when all is going well, what really matters is what we do and say when things aren't going well.

The toothpaste principle applies to believers.  When we're squeezed, what comes out is what's inside. Colossians 3 gives a pretty sobering list of what is inside many of us-- "anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language." These character traits are an example of what our "old man," the part of ourselves that is not yielded to God, is capable of.

In contrast, when we surrender ourselves to God and fill ourselves up with His word, His thoughts, and His Holy Spirit,  something very different comes out when we are squeezed. If we are filled with God, godly things come out --  "tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forgiveness, and love" (Col. 3:12-14).

I saw this principle lived out in front of me recently in the dental office in which I work.

An elderly patient, retired from 40+years of teaching high school literature, had just been seated in the room across the hall. He was anxious about his upcoming dental work. I overheard him make two statements to his wife that showed me what was inside him.

His first remark was a quote from one of his favorite authors.

"We must be afraid before we can be courageous."

His second remark reflected Biblical truth.

"Jesus is stronger than all my fears."

His example made me ponder the question I put before you today,


When I am squeezed, what comes out?


 “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks...The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” Matthew 12:34-35

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