47 Comments
Apr 5Liked by Linda Stoll

This was so wonderful. I loved hearing you read it as I followed along and read along with you. As the Bible says, fear has torment. I can certainly vouch for how it feels to live in such fear, and though God has helped me tremendously, I still struggle. You are such a blessing, my friend.

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I'm not quite sure if my voice is grating or soothing, so I'm glad it worked for you, Cheryl. Yes, we still struggle with fear but we don't need to invite him to settle in, make himself at home, and take up precious space in our hearts and heads that only Christ should own. We can close the door to his unwanted advances ... 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me' (Philippians 4:13).

Praying for you this morning, friend. He loves you so.

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So wonderfully spoken Linda. I'm encouraged by your words here today.

Thanks so very much for sharing this blessed message with Sweet Tea & Friends this month.

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Thanks for keeping the doors open for us each month. You're a generous blogger, girl!

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It's my pleasure! I love you guys and I really enjoy talking with everyone,

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Mar 27Liked by Linda Stoll

Your wisdom is a wonderful source of comfort and courage. Fear is not a respecter of persons and will slip in by whatever means it can. "The good news is that you have the power, through the name of Jesus Christ, to kick that uninvited evil guest to the curb and right off to the abyss where he rightfully belongs." Amen! I'm sure you have encouraged many to do just that today!

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Isn't it interesting that we often write what we ourselves need to live out ...

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Good words here, Linda, Fear is not a gentleman and has no other agenda but to subjugate and destroy. Your words of wisdom are just the balm no matter the source of fear!

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Good point - fear's aim is to destroy. It does nothing at all to build godly confidence, love, or sanity.

Thanks for reminding me of this verse, Donna - 'The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.'

- John 10:10

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Mar 22Liked by Linda Stoll

so important to name fear in our lives, then listen to its lessons but don't let it rule our decisions. Taken me a long time to learn that lessons and I am still learning. Fear can be a good teacher but it is not the boss!

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Oh I like this, Jean - 'Fear can be a good teacher but it is not the boss!'

Just plain profound.

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How fun to make your acquaintance. I love what you are sharing here about fear.

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Jamie, welcome. So good to connect with you recently.

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You've given fear the perfect description. But you don't leave us there. My fear is answered with unwavering hope in God. The only hope, the only truth.

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He is the way, the truth, and the life ... in every sacred sense of those words. Yes, Debby, yes.

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I hope you know in my comment I meant your words don't leave us with fear. As I looked at it just now sounds like I didn't write it clearly. But you know....♡

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You and I have always understood each other, girl!

ox

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Mar 19Liked by Linda Stoll

Psalm 119:105 KJV

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

God taught me that I only need to look straight down at my feet at the next step or two. Not far ahead in the distance. Looking up at God and down at my feet keeps anxiety and fear away. God is in control and will lead me step by step in His direction.

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And step by step is oh so good. Looking too far ahead (or always gazing backwards) is disorienting and unproductive. Thanks for bringing the Psalmist to the table this week, Valerie.

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Mar 19Liked by Linda Stoll

Oh Linda, you certainly describe the intensity of the fear culprit. He can be so relentless. I love this description - "our tender, merciful God is inviting us to lean deeply into His power to conquer whatever assails us." Oh yes, what would we do without Him?! And I love how much you understand that brain health issues are not a spiritual flaw. Thank you for all the grace and space you give, my friend. Love and hugs and blessings to you!

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Hey friend ... I want to shout it from the mountaintops that brain health issues aren't a spiritual flaw! Yes and amen. Let's toss all the shame and blame that's shrouded these misunderstood medical challenges and call things as they really are.

Many can testify that their spiritual life was never more alive and vibrant than when they were dealing with the difficult symptoms of anxiety or depression. And I am one of them.

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Mar 19Liked by Linda Stoll

I am one of them, too, my friend. That's why I so appreciate the depth of your understanding. Dealing with it has driven me more towards Jesus than away from Him. I'm so grateful to have had Him to cling to, and I thank Him to have blogging friends like you that understand. I'd like to shout it out with you that brain health issues are NOT a spiritual flaw! 💕

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Mar 19·edited Mar 19Author

Amen. And I always strongly encourage people to work with their doctor in getting properly diagnosed and treated with medication and therapy as soon as possible. There's no need to live in those dark places. You are not alone.

* READERS - Check out the Wellness Resources page above.

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Mar 19Liked by Linda Stoll

Getting to know who God is, worshiping Him, bringing every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, turning my thoughts into a prayer.

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Beautiful, friend. I've seen you live this out. And turning our thoughts into prayers, sooner rather than later, can be easier than we think. Ruminating endlessly on our own never did anybody any favors ...

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Mar 19Liked by Linda Stoll

This week I've been stressing out a lot about my youngest and college; it's looking like it's going to be so much harder to apply to college as a homeschool student than a traditional high school student and I feel like that puts so much more on me. I found that making up a tentative plan and just talking through my thought process with him helped me feel much better... and praying, lots and lots of praying.

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Joanne, I'm sorry. That IS scary and I can see how much pressure that must put on you. What's so encouraging as I sit with your story is that while you're acknowledging that the stress is there (of course it is!), you're having ongoing conversations with God (who loves your kids even more than you do!) and that He is answering your prayers by empowering you to design a plan forward.

Lord, thank You for your deep interest in Joanne, for being very present with her in this stressful time and for working with her to look ahead with purposeful action. Please give her an incredible sense of Your peace and clarity as she moves ahead. May her kids pick up on that peace as they see their Mom at work. For Jesus' sake, Amen.

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Mar 19Liked by Linda Stoll

I remember when Covid reared its ugly head back in 2019. One of the most used expressions (admittedly by me and others) was Faith Over Fear. My daughter made me a t-shirt with Faith on a line over Fear. We have nothing to be afraid of except when we allow our flesh to listen to what is happening around us. Yes, I got Covid (like a million other people) but I refused then and even today to live my life in fear. "Perfect love casts out fear" we are told in the Bible. What greater love can we have than that of the Father?

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Oh yes, Bill, I remember how sick you were back then. I can't help thinking that the covid season is when fear really began to take hold of so many of us. That you were able to fight not only the illness but the shadows of fear that the disease brought was powerful medicine ... not only for you, but for everyone around you who watched God bring you through that time.

Praise be.

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Loved listening!

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The voiceover was fun. Wondering how often I should keep doing it?

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I started doing that when I first came to Substack but kind of forgot about it. Gotta get back to it!

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It was easier than I thought it'd be. I just hope my voice doesn't scare anybody off!!

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Your voice was great! I was trying to sort out your accent. Are you not native to New England?

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Ya think?!!

I've spent most of life in NJ and NY til I moved to the Cape in 2015.

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It was wonderful to hear your voice, Linda. I think I battle fear by keeping on. Sometimes I bake brownies. :) I freeze when fear comes in, so keeping moving helps me not let fear get a stronghold!

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Baking brownies, yes please! And keeping moving, turning that energy that fear instantly dumps on us into doing something productive. That's such wise counsel, friend.

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Linda, I like the scripture, "when I am afraid, I will trust in the Lord." Fear can grab us by the throat. But it is an invitation to remember God has not given us a spirit of fear.

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You're right, Debbie. And maybe the secret is how quickly we can pivot from our very real fears to looking at the face of our trustworthy Savior.

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So true, Linda, fear is not a gentleman, but our Lord is gentle and humble in heart. He takes our burdens and weariness and gives us rest in return.

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Just reading 'our Lord is gentle and humble in heart' is making me smile, Lisa, with gratitude and peace.

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