Write Your Own Headlines!
Isaiah 41:10-So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
This morning while scrolling through social media I came upon an article posted by a friend of our family. (Thank you Tiffany!) As we all know the news is saturated with negativity, politics, the virus and dozens of other headlines that have made people across the world…fear. The Dictionary describes fear as the following:
Fear | Noun
An unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat: He is prey to irrational fears.
Fear for: Feeling of anxiety concerning the outcome of something or the safety and well-being of someone: Police launched a search for the family amid fears for their safety.
The likelihood of something unwelcome happening: She could observe the other guests without too much fear of attracting attention.
Archaic: A mixed feeling of dread and reverence: The love and fear of God.
(How interesting that the ‘love and fear of God’ is listed in the Archaic category.)
It’s been a moment or two since I last posted however…this pandemic…this pause in life have had my heart, soul and mind in a state of fear whether I’ve wanted to admit it or not. Oh I don’t mean overwhelmingly or inappropriately but yes, like you I’ve been fearful.
Know this my friends, I am not one to fear. By God’s amazing grace, love and mercy I’ve survived a tremendous amount of hardship, grief, pain and loss and yet He alone has delivered me time and time again. With The Lord as my Strength and Shield, His Words, “FEAR NOT” have held me every time…Praise His Holy Name!
However these last few months with the threat of contracting COVID-19, sterilizing everything that dare cross the threshold of our home, becoming isolated from family, friends, church, social gatherings, the grocery store for Heaven’s sake, has been brutal! The “what-ifs” could be life-altering and the headlines have only served to drive those fears deeper.
But what if, what if we wrote our own daily headlines? What would that look like for you personally? Table that thought for just a moment….
The article mentioned above appears to be written by Cindy Starkey Ladd on Facebook. Please forgive me if it turns out she is not the author however, I see no other credit so here it is as it appears:
“Sometimes I just want it to stop. Talk of Covid, protests, looting, brutality. I lose my way. Become convinced that this “new normal” is real life. But then I meet an 87 year old who talks of living through Polio, Diphtheria, Vietnam, protests, and yet is still enchanted with life. He seemed surprised when I said that 2020 must be especially challenging for him. “No”, he said slowly looking me straight in the eyes. “I learned a long time ago to not see the world through the printed headlines, I see the world through the people that surround me. I see the world with the realization that we love big. Therefore, I just choose to write my own headlines.”
(The article continues listing the gentleman’s examples):
“Husband loves wife today”.
“Family drops everything to come to Grandma’s bedside”.
“He patted my hand”.
“Old man makes new friend”...
His words collide with my worries, freeing them from the tether I had been holding tight. They float away. I am left with a new,renewed spirit. My headline now reads, “Woman overwhelmed by the spirit of kindness and the reminder that our capacity to love is never ending.”
I so hope this touches your heart the way it did mine. My word, the wisdom, love, experience in these words are what we need to hold dear! This is our day to day, this is what we learn as children, as friends, as compassionate human beings!
So what headline will you write today? Go ahead, get a piece of paper out and some tape, a chalkboard or some other way to communicate your heart and post it on your front door, your refrigerator, the kitchen table…wherever you and your family will see the headline and be encouraged! Mine will read the following:
The Holy Spirit Moves Hilly Today!
Today Is A Gift, Praise God!
Have I Told You About My Five Granddaughters?
Blessed Beyond Measure!
Woman Loves Husband, Family and Friends!
I’m Scottish AND Irish, Need I Ask For More? (HaHa!)
Okay that last one is to make you laugh but seriously, I do believe that, don’t judge me!
Let’s put fear and anger where it belongs. Away with it! Let’s write our own headlines, encourage our families and trust in The Lord!
Blessings on Blessings and More!
Hilly
Prayer-Dear Lord, Your headline, “Do Not Fear” is written 365 times in The Bible. I feel certain that is no coincidence considering there are 365 days in a year. You wanted us to take note of this assurance and believe that we are to place our fears , all of them, in Your Hands. Take them Lord, our burdens are heavy but Your yoke is light. You know. Thank You Lord!