“She’s ineffective,” she whispered in ears.
“You shouldn’t be involved, she’s going to run that place into the ground,” her voice warned willing listeners.
“She’s a fraud. A phony. It’s all smoke and mirrors,” she repeated over the phone.
This isn’t a short story.
This actually happened to me last year. A professional adversary. And for three months, the attacks nearly crippled me.
The third-hand accounts of the accusations led to constant self-doubt. Panic. Insecurity. But more than anything: FEAR.
Fear about what others would think. Would they believe her words?
Fear about how to respond (or whether to respond). Do I try to fight back? Defend myself or attack in return?
Fear about whether any of the accusations might be true. Was she on to something?
Then a circle of dear friends called my attention to this truth: Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. (Exodus 14:14) {===> Click to Tweet}
I still cling to these words on the days I feel like it’s up to me to win the battle I’m facing. When the fear wells up in my throat and threatens my air supply.
Listen dear friend: God. Holds. Your. Reputation. He has you in His hands. {===> Click to Tweet} Like a flitting sparrow, like a flying swallow, So a curse without cause shall not alight. (Proverbs 26:2)
You do not need to respond. Counter attacks only serve to give credibility to the original attacker and taint your reputation. This is so hard. Instinct is fight or flight. Fight or flight comes from FEAR. Once we trust, way deep down, He will guard our reputation, then the fear dissipates and is replaced with confidence to move forward.
It will always hurt. No one is immune. We can feel sad or frustrated or confused but we shouldn’t live in a state of fear.
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Psalm 37
When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the Lord your God will be with you… Today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not panic or be terrified by them. For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory. Deut 20
This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s… You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you. II Chron. 20:15-17
I wonder if the scripture is SO FULL of promises of protection, defense, and freedom from fear because God knew how hard this would be on us. How our instinct would run contrary to His promises. He understood and so He promised over and over that He has this: See, I will defend your cause and avenge you (Jeremiah 51:36); When they cry out to the Lord because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them (Isaiah 19:20); Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you (Deut. 1:29).
Hang in there. This will pass. He will fight for you. Be still.
Homework:
- Read Psalm 109 – David gets this. Years after the Exodus, you hear David’s cries from his accusers, but he recognizes God has it and he will praise Him even in the middle of the attacks. Follow up by reading Psalm 37. There is such freedom in his songs.
- Release whatever fear you have been holding over what people think about you. Forgive those who have gossiped or attacked or spread a negative storyline against you. Write out a prayer using any of the dozens of scriptures where God promises to protect you, fight for you, defend you, and hold your reputation.
- Share what you’re learning in the comments or on Facebook. Thanks for journeying through Breaking Fear with us this fall.
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