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07 September 2014

Fear Not by Caryl McAdoo


Author Caryl McAdoo

Fear Not
       by Caryl McAdoo  

“Fear not, YOUR NAME, I am your shield and your exceeding great reward!" Genesis 15:1
Iniquity of the fathers are visited upon their children up to the fourth generation. I’d suppose that works for mothers, too. I came by being abnormally afraid legally according to scripture. Mama lived in so much fear, so I grew up thinking—being taught by example—that being scared was perfectly normal.

            As a teen, some man in our neighborhood came to our house at night. My bedroom was on the front, and I’d awake to our dog growling and see him silhouetted against my curtained windows. As a young wife, my fireman husband worked twenty-four shifts at the station, I woke up alone one night to someone at my window again. I called my neighbor who came and checked, but no one was there. However, tracks were the next morning.

            In that same house, when Ron went to the firehouse, I would get my firstborn, a pillow, blanket, and butcher knife and sleep the night in the little space under our big desk where your knees go. Though my experiences might explain why, and people lean toward giving me a by for being afraid, fear is still a sin.

            Fear is the opposite of faith. When fear operates in our life, it usually comes in the form of a lie. We run with all the lies flooding our brains and making our hearts beat faster. It’s a slap in the face to God. Fear says, “You aren’t big enough, Lord.” It says, “Nothing can save you.” And “You’re going to die.” Or “Your child doesn’t love you.”
But God’s Word says He did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind. (II Timothy 1:7)

So, the world’s biggest scaredy cat got delivered from fear when God revealed that I could trust Him. Completely, totally, and without reservation. He caused me to know that He constantly watches over me, and that nothing touches me without His permission. His love for me is so great! He has good plans for me! He’ll never leave me or forsake me—all His promises in His Living Word are mine! He put them there for me, for my benefit.

I can live in peace without fear.

Life changed for me that day, and I really didn’t have any fear issues for a long while—other than in a ladies’ Bible study where I semi got into it with the teacher who was saying ‘some’ fear is healthy. I contended, “No. All fear is of the devil. It insults God, and we should not accept any of it. We should deny it and fully reject it.”

In my prayer group, I said one day when fear came up, “I’m not afraid of anything.” I wasn’t trying to be a braggart, only put forth Truth, make a good confession (God creates the fruit of your lips. Isaiah 57:19 and Hebrews 13:15) One lady said, “You have to be afraid of something.” I answered, “No ma’am. I do not, and I will not. God did not give me a Spirit of fear but power, love and a strong mind.”

CFP: Thank you Caryl for this encouraging guest post!
Hearts Stolen by Caryl McAdoo

BIO: With eleven titles released by five publishers, Caryl McAdoo now enjoys being a ‘Simon & Schuster’ author with her historical Christian romance VOW UNBROKEN set in 1832 Texas. Now she’s thrilled to offer book two debuting THIS month HEARTS STOLEN set in 1844 and featuring Levi (the teen in VOW) as its hero Texas Ranger. The novelist also edits, paints, and writes new songs. In 2008, she and her high school sweetheart-husband Ron moved from the Dallas / Ft. Worth Metroplex to the woods of Red River County. Caryl counts four children and fourteen grandchildren life’s biggest blessings believing all good things come from God. She hopes that her books will minister His love, mercy, and grace to all their readers. Caryl and Ron live in Clarksville, the county seat, in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star State.

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Giveaway: A copy of Caryl’s new novel, Hearts Stolen, to one of our commenters.

              

        


36 comments:

  1. Absolutely wonderful post CARYL!! There are times when satan tries his best to make me afraid but I am learning to give it right back to him. I too was raised by a mom that lived in fear. As a young girl she was raped and nothing was ever done to the person that did it. She loves the Lord with all her heart and how I hate that she never learned she didn't have to live in fear!

    Can't wait to read your new book!! :-)

    Thanks for sharing with us today!!


    (((HUGS)))

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    1. You are so welcome, it's truly my pleasure. I love coming to OWG all the time to read other's posts and am honored to be back! My Mama was a intecessor and saint, too, who loved God with all she was! Aren't we so blessed that Holy Spirit has revealed this in our generation so we can know we don't have to be afraid? AND that our mothers are with Him now never to fear again! Hugs and blessings!

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  2. Thanks so much for visiting with us, Caryl, and for sharing on this important topic! Welcome to OWG!

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    1. Welome, welcome! I LOVE visiting OWG! It's such a blessing to so many! Thank you for inviting me! :)

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  3. Thank you for sharing your testimony on overcoming fear, CARYL!! My mum was the same, has always been, and it comes out in her even to this day as an extreme timidness that makes me cringe at times. So for me, I have battled with not only fear, but also being too headstrong as a way of counteracting it! Lol, I think I've found a fairly good balance now. :) And PTL for He has also taught me not to fear, but to bring all fears to Him as He is the only one that can give you that supernatural peace that 'passes all understanding'!!
    So looking forward to finding some time to squeeze in your previous release as well as this awesome sounding new one!! Blessings!

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    1. You're surely welcome, it's so great to be back! I think fear is something so many people battle, and too many consider it normal - maybe it is for those who are of the world - but not for Christians, and so many just don't know. (His people perish for a lack of knowledge) And that old devil - arrrrugh he is SUCH a liar! It doesn't seem like it's been so long since I was here at OWG, but guess it has! A whole new book out :) You are oh so right when it comes to that precious, sweet peace He gives us even when everything turns upside down in our world. We know He is on the throne and in control... So reassuring! :) Hugs and blessings from Texas!

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  4. I struggle constantly with fear and for the same reason you did--my mother and grandma engrained it in me with their own. I am ashamed of it because I know that it is announcing my distrust of the Lord but I have only been able to overcome it partially.

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    1. Oh, I am so sorry, Mickey, and will put you on my prayer list! Living with fear is no fun. It is by faith though - just like your salvation... Everything that pleases God is by faith, we know that :) And even when you DECIDE and tell God you know He didn't give you a Spirit of fear and ask Him to help you be free of it - the devil starts lying again.

      Only once after God delivered me and I chose not to ever be afraid (this doesn't mean I never jump is startled - I'm living with lil grandsons and they think it's so much fun to jump out and 'scare me'! Anyway - - - my daughter was having her 3rd baby and I was in the delivery room being the camera Grami. Right after baby came, she kept bleeding and the nurses were rushing around, knocking trays over, running for supplies - the doc was stuffing many towels into her. The devil told me she was going to die, and fear returned, but I didn't realize it at the time.

      She and baby made it fine, but weeks later, I'm walking across the parking lot at Target, and the devil starts telling me a man is going to rush me and hit me in the face with his fist - and I'm almost running to me car and by the time I hop inside and lock my doors, my heart was beating to the nines... It was like full panic mode, but my Comforter rose up and I realized it was only that spirit of fear trying to minister to me again. I burst out laughing and resisted it! I told it the Lord God Almighty was my father and no weapon formed against me could prosper! It left immediately and has never bothered me again (that baby just turned 19 :)

      I will be praying for you! Hugs and blessings!

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  5. Ummm... WOW!! This so spoke to my heart this morning. Praying for it to sink in and take hold of me! Thank you for sharing, Caryl!
    Blessings!
    Kelly Youngblood
    kelly *at* dkcountryarts *dot* com

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    1. Thank you, Kelly. I so hope OWG readers can see they can be set free from the spirit of fear! In the end, what's the worst that can happen? Death of our flesh? and what happens then? This is where I feel like singing - like a little taunting tune :) ♫•✞•*✫ ¨We know what happens!*♪*•.✫*✞*♪♫✫ "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." II Corinthians 5:8

      Of course, a young mother never wants to leave her children, but she can trust God with her little ones. And no husband would ever choose to leave his wife alone, but God Himself is husband to the widow and made provision in His Word for how they are to be cared for. So when God is for us... all the old devil has is a pile of old used lies to recycle. We know the Truth! :) Yay! Blessings from Texas!

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  6. Thank you Carrie and thank you Caryl. We are blessed that God is with us every step of the way. His strength and his love get us through. If we stumble at times through life, God is there to pick us up. Yes, we are blessed!!

    mauback55 at gmail dot com

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    1. ♪♫•*A-a-amen♥¨♪*• A-a-amen.♪♫✞A-amen¸..♪♫✞•*♥♪Amen¨*•♫♪ Amen♪♫•*♥¨♪*•.♪♫✞ Yes, Melanie, you speak Truth! We are blessed and He is ALWAYS there for us! What a Hallelujah!

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  7. Thank you for sharing Caryl. Your books sound great, I've seen "Vow Unbroken" just haven't been able to get it yet and this one sounds just as good. Now I have another to add to my 'to buy' list.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. Thank YOU, Wendy! I am very excited about Hearts Stolen and hope you get to read both soon :) Blessings from Texas!

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  8. I love so many different era's but especially Western! Can't wait to get my hands on it!

    missionwife AT hotmail DOT com

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    1. Hello Melody :) I suppose God sings - and you parents and probably your husband - ♪♫•*There's within my heart♥¨♪*• A Melody!.♪♫✞.♪♫✞•*♥ I've been so thrilled that so many men are enjoying the stories. Harold Wolfe "Doc" - one of Amazon's highest rated Christian fiction reviewers - is the one who first tole me I should add 'western adventure' to my genre! I just love that! :) Blessing to you on the mission field!

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  9. Hi and how are you doing this evening?Would love to win.

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    1. Hey Bonnie! Nice to be with you again here at OWG! We were together just last Friday at HEARTS STOLEN's virtual Launch Party! What fun, right, Bonnie? At least I sure had a great time! Thanks you for coming! And commenting here, too! Hugs and blessings!

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  10. Better speak the truth boldly, then fearfully.

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    1. I think of the Christians being martyred for their testimonies and not denying Christ and His blood sacrifice! I can imagine that God floods them with His love and peace and even takes them before they die. I remember Stephen, calling on God. I believe he saw Christ when he asked Him to receive his spirit. Yes, indeed, Holly! Oh how I've tried to instill in these grandsons there is N*E*V*E*R a time when a lie can beat the Truth! Hugs and blessings!

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  11. Good article. We all need to tackle those fears that sometimes hold us back from things we should do. Prayer helps!

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    1. If only one reader is delivered from the horror of being afraid, I am blessed. Mary! :) Thanks an dblessings to you! :)

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  13. What a beautiful testimony you have.
    I would love to read your book.
    oh.hello.hiya@gmail.com

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    1. Thank you, Danie. We will overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of our Testimony! Loving not our own lives even unto death! He has definitely given me a testimonies that come from Him getting me through hard times! The grandsons I'm rearing are my second son's children - - O'Pa and I have had 4 boys for almost 12 years, but we're down to the two youngest this year. When people ask about my son and his wife - the boys' parents, I tell them that they are working on their testimony. One of these days when God delivers them from those awful drugs, they are going to have a WONDERFUL TESTIMONY and will overcome anything the devil throws at them! :) Blessings to you!

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  14. Fear Not! What a great testimony! God's Blessings !

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    1. Did you ever sing that song, Deanna? ♥✞ ♪♫•✫FEAR NOT! ♥✞♥♪*•♫♪ for I Am with you! ♫•✫♥ *♪ FEAR NOT!♥✞ ♪♫•✫♥ for I Am with you! ♥✞ ♪♫•✫♥♫♪ FEAR NOT! ♥✞ ♪♫•✫♥ For I Am with you saith the Lord! ♥✞ ♪♫•✫I have redeemed you♥ *♪•.♪I have called you by name! ♫•*♥♪*•♫♪ Child, you are mine! ♥✞♪♫•.♪♫ When you walk through the water♥✞ ♪♫•✫♥ I will be there! ♥✞ ♪♫•✫and through the fire! ♥✞♥♪*•♫♪ You'll NOT!♫•✫♥*NO WAY!♪♥✞ ♪♫•be burned!✫♥♥✞ ♪♫•✫You'll NOT! ♥✞♥♪*•♫♪ NO WAY!♫•✫♥ *♪ be drowned! ♥✞ ♪♫•✫♥ For I Am with you-oooo-oooo-oooo-ooo-ooo-ooo! ♥✞ ♪♫•✫♥♫♪ FEAR NOT! ♥✞ ♪♫•✫♥ BLESSINGS from Texas!

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  15. Hello Caryl. I always repeat Fear not for I am with you. when I start to be afraid. I love the Lord and I don't think He thinks I don't when I still get scared at some times when I hear something and get afraid for a few minutes. But, it is something to work against. But, He does know we aren't perfect, and loves us still. I love westerns too and would love to win your book. Maxie

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    1. That's great, Maxie! No better weapon than that two-edged sword sharp enough to separate the bone from the marrow, the thought from the intent of the heart! I love using His Living Word to crush the enemy's plan! Blessings from Texas!

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  16. I used to struggle with fear similar to you. That is my go to verse. No spirit of fear.I found every verse in the Bible talking about fear and would pray them daily and nightly. I would also sleep with my Bible next to me and my hand on it. Eventually that stronghold of fear left and God's peace filled it's place like it should have been all along. And when those old fears try and creep back in I just start praying. Thanks for sharing Caryl. Nancycooks4u ( at ) gmail ( dot ) com

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    1. Nancy, We can STAND on the Word, why not SLEEP on it! That's a great idea. God gives me new songs to battle - a lot of them are scriptures set to music. Here's the lyrics to one: ♥✞ ♪♫•✫I will trust in You♥✞♥♪*•♫♪ I will trust in You ♫•✫♥ *♪When trouble comes my way ♥✞♥♪*•♫♪ and trials fill my day ♫•✫♥ I will trust in You! ♥✞ ♪♫•✫♥ Because I know You are on the throne! ♥✞ ♪♫•✫♥♫♪ Because I know You are in control! ♥✞ ♪♫•✫♥ Because I know ♥✞ ♪♫•✫♥ *♪•.♪ how much You love me! ♫•*♥♪that You're always thinking of me*•♫♪ ✞♪♫•.♪♫ ✫I will trust in You ♥✞♥♪*•♫♪ And oh wow, what assurance to KNOW that you KNOW you can trust in Him! Once you're free and know that peace - - - you never want to be in those chains again!'

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  17. Thank you, Caryl, for your wonderfully encouraging post!!

    I so agree with your comments that fear is a lack of trust in God to take care of us - I believe worry to be the same thing. My father suffers from chronic depression and has since he was very young - he is almost 93 years old now and has stage 4 cancer, it's saddens me that he isn't able to "turn loose" and trust God to handle his problems - although I do feel he is a Christian.

    I'm so blessed that God gives me peace in the midst of my trials!!

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    1. Hello Bonnie! The first time I visited at OWG, I talked about 'worry'! If you click my name on the right then click "older post at the bottom, I think it'll still come up. I was a mess - world's biggest scaredy cat and worried about everything! And I WAS a Christian, born again at age nine! But His people perish for a lack of knowledge! My mother was never set free from it that I know of - well, not while she lived on this old earth :) She's definitely free from fear now! She's with Him! Blessings and hugs!

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