Within the first month of returning to Thailand in 2019, we had two giant cockroaches in the bathroom—always under darkness and always for MY benefit (They never showed up for Doug). One of them scuttled under my foot as I stepped into the shower. I was not impressed. After that, any time I entered the bathroom after dark, I opened the door, turned on the light, and looked around before stepping in, always asking God to calm my heart. 

Well, in January of 2019, I asked God for a “word” from Him for my year. He gave me the phrase, “Unflinching Boldness.” At the time, I thought He was referring to our translation work in some way, or to my writing. I had no idea that it would apply to stepping into a bathroom and I had no idea it would help me deal with fear, in any and all its forms. 

I learned a few things about God from this:
1. God knows ME and He understands my humanness—and my unique fears. He didn’t chastise me for my emotional reaction but He DID remind me of the phrase He gave me, along with John 10:10. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that you may have life, and may have it abundantly.” Living in my own fear squelched that abundant life in Him. 

2. God will not leave me to fight any battles alone. He will help me move from fear to victory. His Word is rich with His promises including, “Perfect love drives out fear.” 1 Jn. 4:18 

3. No struggle, no prayer request, is too small for God. He cares about the sparrow that falls. He knows the number of hairs on our heads (Matt. 10). AND, for me, He knew about the cockroaches in my bathroom and that I’d need His “Unflinching Boldness” in my time of need. 

(To read more from Connie, go to: www.conniemaeinglis.ca)

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