To kick off the New Year with a bang, I’m giving away one print copy of Dani Pettrey‘s latest suspense release, The Killing Tide. To enter the giveaway, leave a comment below sharing which Fear Warrior post was your favorite of 2019!
It’s the time of year when most of us look to the future, planning and hoping for the New Year of 2020.
But if you’re at all prone to worry or other forms of fear, looking ahead to the future can be downright frightening. I think that’s part of the reason why God tells us not to focus so far ahead (Matthew 6:34).
God knows looking to the future can stir up anxiety and fear, so our biblical model is instead to look back and remember. Before we can face what comes next, we need the reminder of what God has done in the past—of the promises He’s made and kept, of the love He’s shown, evidences of His power, and the wonder of His wisdom.
Won’t you join me in turning to look back before we rush into the New Year? For us Fear Warriors, a good place to start is remembering what God has taught us about our fears and how He strengthened and armed us for battling them.
To help us do that, I’ve gathered five of the top posts from throughout this year. If you’ve seen these posts before, take the time to read them again as a reminder of how God armed you to conquer your fears in 2019, so you can trust He’ll do the same and more in 2020.
Fear Warrior Blog Top 5 of 2019
1. In Harm’s Way: Fighting Fear When Tragedy Strikes
Heather Chapman joined us from the front lines of the Fear Warrior battle, a scarred veteran who shared her true story of unthinkable tragedy. I’ll likely never forget this post, not because of the sadness of what she went through, but because of the power of the certain hope she shared.
2. Forever Friend: How the Only Lasting Relationship Can Beat Your Fears
Tinashe Jaricha’s post was at once highly relatable and radically eye-opening. We Christians say we believe God is with us, but Tinashe goes beyond the vague concept we don’t really understand to seize the fear-busting reality of this comforting truth.
3. Family Feuds: Facing Family Strife Without Fear
When it comes to our human relationships, even the closest families seem to have troubles in this world. That’s probably why DiAnn Mills’ post that offered practical tips for fearlessly dealing with family conflict struck a chord with the Fear Warrior community.
4. The Deep End: Beat Fear and Find Joy When Life Overwhelms
Whether due to relationship strife, chronic illness, addiction, grief or other problems–sometimes we all feel like we’re sinking in the deep end of life, struggling just to keep our heads above water. Angie Arndt offered essential tips in her post to not just survive but thrive with God’s joy in the midst of trials.
5. Everything I Need: How Guaranteed Provision Can Beat Your Fear
I sure needed the message of this post when I wrote it and I may have needed it even more now when I reviewed it for this Top 5 Posts list. We refer to “Providence” and say we trust God to provide, but we often fail to actually live in real faith in all God’s promises. This post provides inspiration and a good jolt of truth to spur us all on to victory in our fight against fear–in 2020 and beyond!
What was your favorite Fear Warrior Blog post of 2019? Did you defeat a fear or make progress in fighting your fears in 2019? Please share!
Let’s launch 2020 with a splash! I’m going to give one print copy of Dani Pettrey‘s exciting suspense novel, The Killing Tide, to one of you! For your chance to win, share in the comments which Fear Warrior post was your favorite of 2019 (your pick doesn’t have to be in this list of the top 5). (Giveaway ends Jan. 12, 2020; Winner must have continental U. S. mailing address.)
The Killing Tide
When one Coast Guard officer is found dead and another goes missing, Coast Guard Investigative Service special agent Finn Walker faces his most dangerous crime yet. His only clues are what little evidence remains aboard the dead officer’s boat, and the direction the clues point to will test Finn and the Guard to their limits.
When investigative reporter–and Finn’s boss’s sister–Gabby Rowley arrives, her unrelenting questions complicate an already volatile situation. Now that she’s back, the tug on Finn’s heart is strong, but with the risks she’s taking for her next big story, he fears she might not live through it.
Thrown together by the heinous crime, Finn and Gabby can’t ignore the sparks or judgments flying between them. But will they be able to see past their preconceptions long enough to track down an elusive killer, or will they become his next mark?
Comments 18
In Harm’s Way was one of my favorite posts among many. Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us.
Blessings.
Author
Wasn’t that a great post by Heather? Her story was so moving, and I so appreciated her encouragement for facing even the darkest times. I’m so glad the FW Blog has been a help to you, Leila! Thanks for being part of the FW family!
I think many of them resonated with me in 2019 but perhaps none so much as The Deep End. With all we that occurred in the last 2 months, I felt like the water was over my head many times. I just thank the Lord that it is all behind us and we can now look forward with joy and continue to so His will. Thanks for the giveaway – looks like a book that needs to read!!
Author
I can see why Angie’s post resonated with you, Betti! I’m so thankful you were able to fight for God’s joy instead of fear in those hard circumstances. And I’m so glad to hear things are better now! It’s amazing how God uses such hard times to shape us to be more like Him. Thanks for stopping by and joining the conversation!
Family feud – especially since my husband has 8 sisters – and for some reason a few of them are pulling back from the way we used to be . . . and nobody knows why and they are not saying
Author
Wow, 8 sisters is a lot, Bonny! So sorry to hear things are changing with some of them. That’s so hard. (I know–I’ve been there!) Family dynamics can be so painful and tricky. Praying you and your husband are able to bring healing and restoration to the family!
In Harm’s Way!
Author
Great pick!
So many of the posts resonated with me, but I think my most emotional response was to Heather Chapman’s In Harm’s Way. it was just such a special story and encouraged me so much through some difficult circumstances in my life.
Author
I agree, Linda, Heather’s post was very special and encouraging. Thanks for sharing how it impacted you!
In harms way !! Thank you this was a great article
Author
That is a great post, Danielle! Great pick. Thanks for stopping by!
Author
Congratulations, Danielle! You’re the randomly selected winner of The Killing Tide. I’ll contact you via email with more details.
In Harm’s Way was my favorite Thank you for sharing!
Author
That was a great post for sure. Thanks for chiming in, Sarah!
What a great post In Harms Way Thank you for sharing!
Family Feuds struck a chord with me. Our family is dealing with some huge dysfunction. We are battling this head-on and making slow progress. Thanks for the 2019 recap!
Author
Sorry to hear about the dysfunction you’re having to deal with, Heidi. Good for you for battling it and not just ignoring it. I pray things improve soon!