Courage in the face of fear ð»
Today's Fun Fact: "Courage is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it."âMartin Luther King, Jr.
If anyone can speak to courage in the face of fear, it would be Martin Luther King, Jr. A prominent leader in the civil rights movement, Dr. King sought equality and human rights through peaceful protest. He was a change agent who shaped culture in the face of chaos.Â
I believe we are all called to be change agents. Romans 8 speaks to this life through the Spirit. Paul tells us that we are children of God. In v15, he says: âThe Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.â In other words, when we follow Jesus, a change takes place in us that allows us to serve as agents in His kingdom. In v18, he warns that we will suffer but that the glory of God revealed in us is so much greater.
So much greater...
As we face a looming hurricane, I thought this an excellent time to share an excerpt I am working on in Revealed Fire. This is a hinge point in Maddie's storyâan incomplete one, but it's coming together. Psalm 31:24, in the amplified, says, "Be strong and let your hearts take courage, all you who wait for and confidently expect the Lord." Well, our Maddie is learning to do just that.
The nightmares were coming with greater intensity. Fear was skulking around again, tightening its grip around Maddie.Â
Rachel told her she was facing spiritual warfare. "God is about to do something, Maddie. When the darts come at you from every direction, the enemy knows and is trying to distract you. Remember, take those thoughts captive."  In these moments, her friend would encourage her to take her eyes off the warfare and place them on the One who called her to battle. She shook her head as she thought, I wish I could understand it all.
The chaos within her was trumped only by the chaos around her. An organization kidnapping innocent people, people running others out of their homes and businesses, a dark struggle that her mom couldnât control, world governments gone mad, violent mobs killing unknowing victims, and if Rachel was right, they were in the middle of the great tribulation. All of it, out of her control. How do I take my thoughts captive when they just keep coming?
Maddie looked down at her shaking hands. Fear was relentless.
When she thought she had put everything in her past; it would creep up on her like a spider. Iâm in a safe place, right? So, why canât I close the door on this fear? 
Looking up at the canvas she and Emma painted, she yearned to be in the Tower of Trust again. She knew God was with her, but it was easy to forget when intrusive thoughts overwhelmed. Why won't fear just leave me alone?Â
A thought that sounded a lot like something Sonya would say interrupted her musings: Pick up your armor.
Opening her Bible, Maddie opened to Ephesians 6 as she pondered her mentor's words after retreat: âOur struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.â
Shivering at the thought of unseen demons, she asked to an empty room, âBut, how do I fight them?â 
The familiar voice in her thoughts that always encouraged her said, Keep reading, Maddie.
âPut on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.â
Placing her Bible on her bed, she looked up. She didnât understand why she always looked up. Physically, her gaze saw only ceiling and fan. But, she knew God was with her and looking up seemed to show reverence to the One who was greater.
âSo God, I am to put on this armor and stand?â
Thatâs right, Daughter. She heard in her thoughts.
âAnd then what?â She asked.
Keep your eyes on Jesus. He is Jehovah Nissi, the One who goes before you.
âAre we going into battle?â She asked timidly.
Looking back at her Bible, she noticed 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 scribbled on the edge of the page. Turning to the passage, she read: âFor though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.â
âA stronghold,â Grammy told her once, âis like a big castle wall. It keeps ya holed up. Now if yer holed up by yer Heavenly Father, yer safe. But if the enemyâs got ya in his keep, well that ainât no diffârent than beinâ held tight in a spiderâs web.â 
So, the weapons we fight will demolish the enemyâs hold. Boldness began to fill her with courage as she stood.
She froze as a stray thought darted in her mind like an arrow, Youâre not strong enough. 
âNo! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!â She declared boldly.
Who do you think you are? Fear- a relentless voice.
âNot today.â Picking up the Bible from her bed, she read from Ephesians 6: âI, Maddie Ruth Bennett, will be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. I put on the full armor of God, so that I can take my stand against the devilâs schemes."Â
Maddie prayed on each piece of armor, and with each declaration, her faith grew. The words from her mouth projected a boldness she had not felt before. As she stood tall and strong, courage arose within her. Her eyes closed as her head faced upward. A vision of herself in full body armor with sword and shield crossed her mind. Perhaps I am a warrior. God was in the roomâshe could feel Him. She knew He was always with her, but...this was different. It was weird, but she felt a warmth fill her from the top of her head to the bottom of her feet. She remembered having a similar feeling at Wild Rock Overlook. She would go anywhere knowing he was with her.
Opening her eyes, she looked forward and with resolve proclaimed, âI am a Daughter of the King and I will stand on the Name of Jesus. NO WEAPON formed against me will prevail! Do you hear that Fear? NO WEAPON! So you can leave right now in Jesusâ Name!â
Well, what do you think? If this excerpt intrigued you and you haven't read Revealed Truth or Revealed Mercy, you can grab a copy here. The Kindle version is $.99 for a short time!
By the way, another fun factâdid you know that to "encourage" means to "pour in courage?" I pray Maddie's declaration has "in"couraged you today.
I have a special gift for my subscribersâmy first short story. As I work on book three, I am also working on four short stories to illuminate the unique qualities of each of Maddie's Fam. I am grateful to each of you for your support of my writing journey, and to show my appreciation, I will share one short story a month with you. These four stories will culminate into a novella released after Revealed Fire, but they are free for you, my amazing community! This month, meet Jade. Jade is Maddie's loud and unapologetically zealous friend who has found Jesus. Oh, what God can do with a bold voice surrendered to Him! If this sounds interesting, hit subscribe! All subscribers will receive a separate email with a link to download the free eBook.
I would love to hear your thoughts. What do you think about Maddie's declaration above? Hit reply or leave a comment below and share your thoughts with me.
Until next week, stay safe out there!