Fear = the absence of faith

Hello DWDI Family!

     Well, I am in semi-panic mode about this licensing exam coming up soon and my body is not handling the strss well.  I still cannot get a full night's sleep.  I wake up randomly and stay up for a couple of hours.  Even with that, I should still be rested enough to get up at a decent time this morning to start studying.  Too bad that did not happen.  I woke up early this afternoon and forced myself to go the library.  I was fairly productive, praise God, but I did almost have a panic attack today shortly after I got to the library.  I had to just lay my head on the library table and just pray to God for strength and endurance and energy.  My friend and I (my friend is also re-taking the professional exam) feel like we're Daniels walking into our own lion's dens except without Daniel's spiritual might.  Click here for relevant scripture on Daniel, a mighty man of God during the Babylonian Captivity of the Jewish people.  It's a very difficult task to have to face something that already annilihated me once before.  I do have fears of failing again, hence my near panic attack in the library today.

    I felt led to take out my "God's Little Lessons for Graduates" book and looked up "fear."  I found the following scriptures and it made me feel SO much better:

Do not be afraid--I am with you! I am your God--let nothing terrify you! I will make you strong and help you; I will protect you and save you.  Isaiah 41:10 TEV  

The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.  Psalm 29:11 KJV 

In these scriptures, God makes it clear that we are not to be afraid because He is with us.  He makes us strong and blesses us with peace because He is in control and He is protecting us.  We should not be afraid of ANYTHING or ANYONE because God is with us! Daniel clearly was not afraid when he went into the lion's den for he knew that God was with him.  Daniel emerged from the den the next day without a scratch on him.  If Daniel could do that for hungry land predators, why can't I do that for an exam? My fear was causing me to turn away from God's promise of protection, strength, and peace and to not have faith in those promises.  I still have to fight those feelings of fear, but I feel better equipped to deal with them and any other attacks from the enemy with God's Word and with more quiet time with God.  This is just more evidence of why it is so important we stay connected to Him!

Well, I'm heading to bed to get some rest. Have a good night family and I'll will talk to you soon!

Love,
CCC