Fear is a prowling wolf.
I needed little convincing of this idea as I dove into BytheWell4God’s latest kit, Liars and Thieves.**
This month’s kit, written by BTW4G fan favorite Judi Allen, is driving all up and down my neighborhood, calling to mind truth that I return to over and over again as well as challenging me to see issues in a new light. There were a few topics I saw when the kit was previewed that I immediately thought, Oooh, I can’t wait to share this with —. But of course, as I’m reading, the Holy Spirit is saying, Nope, that one is for you too.
So here I am, seven days into the kit–four days of reading, and three days of reflecting in my Bible–asking God what He would have me to share about this study.
So far, I am convinced that this study is fan accurate reflection of God’s Word. His Word is powerful and relevant for every moment. This study highlights that His Word is built for a time such as this.
Look around at what’s happening–the enemy of our souls is having a field day in our world. Our news is full of things that would make any reasonable person fearful. Just this week, my son’s school was one of many in the area on a precautionary lockdown because of a bank robber. But it is not just the news, even “entertainment” is fertile ground for liars and thieves. Turn on HGTV, and you will have plenty of reasons to feel unsatisfied with your home. Open your social media and look at pictures of all the friends traveling to exotic places or attending events; you’ll find loneliness is waiting to pounce on you.
And even if you avoid our media-saturated culture, liars and thieves are all around in every day life. Stop by the grocery store and look at the 20 different types of diapers; insecurity and inadequacy are sitting on the shelves taunting the new parents who just want to do the best they can to take care of their baby. Or maybe it is just a drive down the street where someone has thrown out their fast food bag right in front of your house; discouragement is crouching in the crinkles of that bag.
These things are real and present. But the feelings they arouse are not a cause for shame or defeat. They are all reminders to be on guard.
These every day moments are invitations to potential canyons where we could be overtaken by a wolf, but they are also mountains we can climb to stand victorious on His Word.
Proverbs 4 reminds us of the importance of keeping our hearts protected in His words of truth:
My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
—Proverbs 4:20-23
Whether it is a wolf of fear, or a lie of inadequacy, or a thief of discontent, that is stalking us, we have one tried and true weapon to ward it off–the Word of God.
So for this month’s kit, I am finding that as I read and journal, I am writing out verses and working on getting back into habits of memorization to keep them in the forefront of my mind. If you’re in the kit this month, I’d love to hear what you’re doing and how you’re approaching it! If you’re not, there is still time to join us!!
**I received this kit as a member of the BTW4G Creative Team, but all opinions here are my own.**
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