Last night, I went to our C.E. service, and the theme was Living Above Fear – Finding Mental Security in God. I came home so thankful I had gone, because the thoughts shared were both practical and uplifting.
We began with a poem called “Just Do the Next Thing.” It was a simple reminder, yet such a powerful one: when life feels heavy and overwhelming, we don’t need to think about everything that lies ahead. Just take the next step. Do the next thing in front of you. That’s enough.
A song that followed emphasized that true security is vertical—not found in people, possessions, or circumstances, but in God alone. Then came a message about fear itself—what it is, how it operates, and how it can grip us. Afterward, different ones shared what has helped them in their own walk.
I almost stood to share, but didn’t quite have the courage. Instead, I’ll share here.
Years ago, I walked through deep valleys of depression and anxiety. I had even attempted suicide. During that time, we had ministers in our home, and their words still echo in my heart. One reminded me: “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” Another said something that has stayed with me: “We deal with what we feed the most.”
Fear feeds on our thoughts. The more we turn it over in our minds, the larger it grows. But when we choose to focus on things that are true, lovely, and good—as Philippians 4:8 reminds us—fear begins to lose its strength. Sometimes the best way to push back against fear is to stop thinking of ourselves and do something kind for someone else.
One brother gave a picture that struck me deeply. Driving east out of Riceville on Highway 9, there’s a set of curves. As you climb the hill heading northeast, it looks like the road is leading you straight into a massive wind tower. If you didn’t know the road, you’d brace yourself for impact. But at the top, the road bends, and you pass safely by, never even close to danger. Isn’t that often how God works? The thing we fear seems unavoidable, looming large in front of us—but just around the bend, God has already made a way.
Another reminder shared was that most fears never turn out to be as bad as we imagine. The example was 9/11. The day before, no one feared flying. On the day of the attacks, none of us were on those planes. And the day after, when fear was at its highest, was probably the safest day of all to fly. Fear twists our perspective, while God calls us back to trust.
Satan loves to keep us trapped in fear, because when we are afraid, it’s hard to see God clearly. But faith reminds us: God is bigger than fear, and He already sees the bend in the road ahead.
So, my friends, let’s live above fear. Let’s feed our minds with truth and goodness. Let’s keep doing the next thing. And most of all, let’s keep our eyes lifted, finding our security in God.
As you think about this, I’ll leave you with a question:
What “wind tower” is standing in front of you right now—something that looks overwhelming but may simply be a bend in the road ahead?
Thanks for spending a few moments with me here today, friends. Until next time—keep choosing faith over fear.
With love,
Sonya 🌸
