Jerusha: I’m so delighted to introduce you to author and photographer Heidi Jones! I know you’ll love her as much as I do and be empowered by her true story of victory over fear. In honor of Heidi’s visit to the FW Blog, I’m giving away a print copy of Rachel Dylan’s legal thriller, Deadly Proof, to one of you! Leave a comment below for your chance to win!
By Heidi Jones
Eight years ago, we lived on a beautiful acreage in New Brunswick, Canada. Nestled among the trees at the end of a long, curving dirt road was our old farmhouse. It was private and rather isolated.
My fearful heart experienced many long, dark, sleepless nights there while my husband travelled for work. He spent the majority of his time not only away, but on the other side of the country.
While home alone, after the last traces of light had disappeared, I felt like night watch duty began. Our young children were nestled beside me in bed so if there was ever an emergency, Mama wouldn’t need to worry about gathering her chicks.
Then, on one of those anxiety-filled nights, I had a dream that changed me forever.
I startled awake in the middle of the night to the sound of footsteps climbing our stairs. It took me only a split second to remember that I was alone, in bed, with our three children.
It couldn’t be my husband; he was on the other side of the country.
Frozen with fear, I prayed.
God’s answer was immediate, and not in a loud voice booming from above but a still, small whisper in my heart.
“Get up and stand at the end of the bed. Protect your children. I will protect you.”
Terrified, I stood – and waited. Absolute calm washed over me as a shadow moved around the corner and filled the doorway.
Then I woke up. This time, for real.
I was upright in bed; fists clenched tight, heart pounding, mouth dry. Overwhelmed with relief, I burst into tears and many hours later, I was finally able to drift off to sleep again while thanking God over and over that it had all been a dream.
That happened many years ago but WOW, this fear-filled girl became fearless that night! Why?
God answers prayers. Sometimes there is a waiting period, but He can also answer instantaneously when needed. My trust in Him grew that night.
God is Sovereign. As I “stood” at the bottom of that bed, I didn’t understand how he could possibly protect me in that situation because I didn’t realize it was all a dream. He simply had to wake me up! He knows infinitely more than I.
God is my strength. I could not believe how calm I became. He provides strength for the moment, in the moment.
Years later, after spending more time studying God’s Word, I have come to an even better understanding:
Fear could have stopped Rahab from hiding two spies.
Fear could have stopped Abigail from going to David.
Fear could have stopped Ruth from going to Boaz.
Fear could have stopped Esther from speaking to her King.
Fear could have stopped Mary from saying “yes.”
Fear is a powerful tool used by the enemy to prevent us from listening to the still, small voice that guides us to our purpose.
These great women of the Bible were richly blessed for their courageous acts of faith and yet each and every one of them had a very good reason not to: fear for their very lives!
…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. – 2 Timothy 1:7
Let’s read that again, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power…
As a child of God, I am filled with power by the Holy Spirit.
Do you realize that verse is talking about you and me?
We are able to stand firm in any situation, clothed in the full armour given to us by our Heavenly Father as described in Ephesians 6:10-18:
- The Belt of Truth
- The Breastplate of Righteousness
- The Gospel of Peace
- The Shield of Faith
- The Helmet of Salvation
- The Sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God)
Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
– Proverbs 31:25
Let’s be like this woman mentioned in Proverbs because now we know her secret; she knew that she had NOTHING to fear.
Fear will constantly try to weaken our faith. Don’t listen to it, but pray in all circumstances, releasing your anxieties to the One who can give you peace and fill you with His power.
The enemy thought he had claimed victory over me until he heard my whispered, “Jesus!”
And just a little update, although it didn’t happen right away, I now sleep like a teenager on a Saturday morning (unless I have a writing deadline)!
Blessings fellow Fear Warriors,
Heidi
Do you struggle with fear at a specific time of day or night, or in certain situations? Have you experienced victory over a fear? Please share!
Photos by Miguel Bruna, Sarah Cervantes, Ben White, and Jeremy Gallman on Unsplash. Original graphics designed by Jerusha Agen.
Heidi Jones is passionate about loving God and caring for others; family and friends, women and children. Also, learning how to seek God’s will whole-heartedly: less Heidi, more Jesus equals abundant life!!
While being a stay-at-home Mom, she began playing around with a camera which eventually led to a photography business and blog: www.jonesphotography.net where she shares life stories and her photography to encourage others. There, you can also find information on Bleeding Hearts, a unique community she created to share stories of hope and how God carried His own through their hardest struggles. She is also a regular contributor for thebettermom.com.
Heidi is married to a gentle man and blessed to have three precious minis that call her Mom (nonstop!).
Her favorite thing to do when she finds a quiet moment is to curl up with a cup of black coffee and a good book while nibbling on a sizable chunk of dark chocolate!!
You can connect with Heidi at her website, Facebook, and Instagram.
In honor of Heidi’s visit to the FW Blog, I’m giving away a print copy of Rachel Dylan’s Deadly Proof to one of you lovely Fear Warriors! Simply leave a comment below to enter the drawing! (Giveaway ends Oct. 28, 2019; winner must have continental U. S. mailing address.)
DEADLY PROOF
Tapped as lead counsel in a corporate cover-up lawsuit against Mason Pharmaceutical, Kate Sullivan knows this case could make her career. What really drives her, though, is getting justice for the victims whose lives were ruined by the company’s dangerous new drug. But when a whistleblower turns up dead, it paints a target on the back of everyone involved.
Former Army Ranger turned private investigator Landon James steps in to handle security for Kate. He’s still haunted by mistakes in his past and is determined never to let something like that happen again. But it soon appears someone is willing to do anything–even commit murder–to keep the case from going to trial.
As danger closes in, Landon can’t help but admire Kate’s courage and resolve–but will her determination not to back down become too great of a risk?
Comments 14
That was beautiful, Heidi. And so encouraging. God’s got this…all of it ❤
He sure does, Shannon! I am so glad this message encouraged your heart today.
Wow Heidi!! Thanks for sharing that! It was beautiful how God acted for you in that dream so that you could experience his unconditional protection!
I was afraid of the dark when I was about 8 years old. I slept with my closet light on. It took months to overcome that ridiculous fear (that came from watching an horror movie without my parents permission). I can’t remember how it stopped, but my mother always reminded me of my Guardian Angel protecting me at all hours.
Now, my daily fears are so different but fears nonetheless.
I’m afraid of not being good enough, to my loved ones, at work, etc. Afraid of bad things happening to my loved ones (I have a brother who is an addict and constantly fear for him and his future). It’s a hard battle that I have to fight continually. To experience God’s unconditional love and protection. Because I know He has my back, and my loved ones back. He speaks to me, though not in audible words: You take care of MY things (loving and being merciful to others, especially the most needed, physically or spiritually) and I’ll take care of yours… I know I’m always under His embrace and that He’s my Rock and Anchor in my struggle. And that the only one that I really have to please is Him. Trying to please others is good, but it can turn into vanity. I try to rectify and do it for God first and then for others. And if people are not pleased with my best shot or with my weaknesses, well God is pleased because I tried, or I regretted it and ask for forgiveness if I wronged Him or someone. And if people don’t forgive easily, God does. Every single sin. As long as there’s real repentance and love for Him.
So this should make me strong, a warrior. But my problem is I eventually forget this and get my fears overwhelm me again. But it is prayer that saves me and let’s me see things as they are: through God’s eyes!
And God is always Good! And He’s the only one who can bring good out of the bad, pain and loss. So, really, this truth should free us. But we have to remind it and remind others, every single day!!!
God bless you all!
So happy this reminder found its way to you today, Paty. I have added you to my prayer list, sweet sister, that you will continue to see yourself not through the eyes of others, but God the Father, who loves you and cares for all your needs and whose mercies are new every morning. God bless.
Thank you so much Heidi for including me in your prayers, I really appreciate it and I’ll be praying for you too and for Jerusha and all the followers of this blog! God bless you!!
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Thanks, Paty, for the prayers for me and the FW community! I so appreciate that and will pray for you, as well. Thanks for joining the conversation, too! It’s great to “see” you here again. 🙂
Thank you, Paty! Prayer is such a simple yet powerful thing we can do for each other.
I used to be afraid but in learning to trust God More my fears weakened. God is always my refuge and my strength. Thank you for sharing. Blessings
Lucy, I am so glad you have learned to trust more and fear less. It is truly amazing how His strength is so obvious in our weakness. Oh, how He loves us! God bless.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, Heidi. We are in the process of moving from MN to FL and my husband moved already at the beginning of this month, leaving me and our 29 year old daughter to pack up and move the house. He left early to find a job and a place for us to live. I am not a fearful person, but I do worry about finances, especially at this time. I was reminded by the Lord to TRUST IN HIM for all things just the other day. Your experience reiterated the incredible feeling I had when I gave it all back to Him! Thanks Jerusha for this blog that is always so encouraging and for the periodic giveaways 🙂
I am so glad this found its way to you, Betti! God knows exactly what we need to hear and when. I have been through this moving experience myself and two years into our new home, I can truly say, He provided abundantly for us every step of the way. I will pray that He will do the same for you and for you to have peace and comfort through it. God bless you for your faithfulness!
Author
Congratulations, Betti! You’re the randomly selected winner of Rachel Dylan’s Deadly Proof! I’ll email you with more details. Thanks for joining the conversation and entering the giveaway!
Thanks for sharing, Heidi. Great post and Scripture. God is wonderful!
It is an honor and privilege to serve my Savior and others in this way. Thank you for letting me know you enjoyed it! Amen to that, Anne, He is wonderful! God bless.