“No Fear” are two words we need to remember and share with everyone.
I don’t care anymore about what people think… at least not as much as I did before. After going through what I did, I just really don’t care anymore. This life is so temporary and with what I just witnessed this past month, it made it even more apparent.
For years, I’ve struggled with accepting myself and trying to fit in. I may care a little less than others do but I still did to some extent and have struggled greatly with insecurity and fear most of my life. All that is out the window now. I watched a man I loved so much go through horrible pain and health issues that eventually took his life but it was how he responded that blew my mind…
My Papa was always the life of the party and had a way of making others feel better about themselves than they did before. He had a quick wit and a sense of humor that sometimes that left me speechless on a number of occasions lol. But pre-Jesus, he was very ornery and got into lots of trouble in his younger years.
He married the love of his life and calmed down some after having my mom. The Lord really got a hold of him through his brother when my mom was 12 and he felt the urge to read the Bible cover to cover in a short amount of time. After finishing the Bible, he went to my Mom and Mimi and said, “Go buy some dress clothes because we’re going to start going to church.”
That moment in time changed our family’s future trajectory and legacy forever. You see he had head knowledge of God because He grew up going to church but he didn’t have a relationship with the Lord. There’s a big difference if you know what I’m saying.
I can’t tell you how proud I was of Papa when he would be in immense amounts of pain and going from hospital to hospital all while fighting dementia. YET HE STILL KEPT PRAISING THE LORD. Not only would he have moments of praising the Lord spontaneously in front of us but he would literally witness to random hospital staff. Some therapy staff told my mom that when we weren’t there, he was preaching to them and they were responding in agreement saying amen.
Papa kept up this spiritual strength even though his body was failing in almost every way until he breathed his last breath. He told me that we need to keep encouraging and helping others throughout the world. He also said we need to remember to tell each other and every one these two words: “No fear”.
He saw the light
I can’t believe he’s gone now but I couldn’t be more proud and in awe of the man he was and how he kept fighting the good fight of faith until the end. On one of several hospital stints, my mom came into the room. He said, “Hey doll, how are you doing?” It blows my mind he cared enough every time we visited to ask us first how we were doing and then he never complained about what he was going through.
My strong Momma responded and asked how he was doing since he was the one in the hospital. He said “I’ve been seeing a light over there and a man that’s waiting for me”. My mom’s heart sank, thinking oh no, don’t go to the light. “We aren’t ready for you to go to the light Daddy”. He continued and said who are all those people down there too. I’ve been seeing them all day on and off.
We believe he was seeing the light, a glimpse into heaven that awaited him. I can’t tell you how much comfort and relief we have knowing he’s in heaven now. His light experience was just more evidence of God’s existence like I’m sure you’ve heard from others near-death experiences. It isn’t all just fluff to make us feel better, it’s real. Heaven and hell are very real things.
So while others are seeking attention and living for the things of the world, all I have to say is who cares? I don’t care at all what others think anymore. I’m living for ONE and the eternity in heaven that awaits.
If you don’t know on a scale of 1-10 if you’re going to make it to heaven, 10 being the most certain, now is that time to get that way and have “no fear”. Heaven and hell are real and if you haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, don’t wait. LIFE IS TOO SHORT and we are never promised tomorrow or even our next breath. Don’t wait or think that you’ve got to get yourself cleaned up before you can come to Jesus. He LOVES and accepts you just as you are, baggage, filth, and all.
He’s waiting with arms wide open for you and isn’t afraid to get your messy on Him. He knew you while you were in your mother’s womb and LOVES you unconditionally, meaning no matter what. You were not an accident. You are treasured and loved by someone who will never leave you or forsake you. Nothing and no one can separate you from the love of Christ Jesus. He has great plans for to bring you hope and a future.
If you’d like to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, do it now, don’t wait. All you have to do is ask Him to come into your heart and life and He will. If you’d like to know more about how you can accept Him and have eternal life in Heaven and never wonder again where you’ll go when you die, you can do that here: How to Pray and Accept Jesus into your Heart.
The Bottom Line
I don’t care anymore about living “my truth”, doing what feels good to me, or totally ignoring the word of God to be trendy and bend it to my desires. All I care about is keeping my eyes on the prize. I’m living for eternity, not for myself today which fades away ever so quickly. Isaiah 40:8, Papa’s favorite verse says this: “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever.” Before the world was formed, He was. When the world passes away, He will still be. God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.
The Word is TRUTH and I cherish, revere, and respect them all dearly, especially those in red letters. They minister and encourage my soul deeply. They give direction and a peace that surpasses all understanding. It can calm a storm in an instant and keep me grounded when I feel like falling apart. I store up not treasures here on earth, but in Heaven where moth and dust cannot destroy. I stand on the word of God and I will fight the good fight of faith until my dying breath. And He is GOOD. Oh so good and I love Him so. Praise the Lord for He is good and His faithful love endures FOREVER.
You say have “no fear” but how is that possible?
NO FEAR meaning in the Bible: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:18
“Run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:11-12
2 Timothy 4 says this:
“Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear.
They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you…
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing.
A Prayer for You
May the Lord bless you
and keep you;
May the Lord make His face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
May the Lord turn His face toward you
and give you peace.
In honor of Papa, I made some things for him at my Etsy store. This “No Fear” Cowboy Shirt and this “No Fear” Coffee Mug if you’d like a reminder for yourself. These are the girl versions of the shirt and mug. I know I need a reminder every day because fear is something I struggle with. Remember to stay prayed up, in the Word, and get your praise no matter what you’re facing.
Stay hopeful!
