I began 2019 with a set of business words for the year that I’ve since erased from my whiteboard. The words consisted of self-lifting slogans such as “all in” and “extraordinary.”

My thoughts are that we are forever changing and growing as people in the light of God.

The old words on my whiteboard were replaced with three sections and phrases:

Grit & Grace

Seek, Knock, Believe, and Find

There is no fear in love.

Each of these statements brings power and movement to every single day of my life, but one has truly morphed into my words for 2019, “There is no fear in love.”

When I first focused on these five words, I didn’t realize that they are part of a bible passage. I simply felt Holy Spirit’s conviction to trust and have no fear as I faced each day and moment. I felt the nudge to fear n.o.t.h.i.n.g., and I obeyed.

1 John 4:16 NIV There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

How can there be fear in perfect love? It is impossible. I am forever grateful. Down on my knees grateful for this teaching. Thank you, Father.

As far as the other words that I erased from my whiteboard, I do not take credit for “extraordinary.” I work by God’s grace – in his favor, in his peace, in Spirit. I don’t work for myself. I work to bless others. Extraordinary is self-feeding if I apply it to myself. So, I erased the word. God is extraordinary.

I have grit when I work in his grace, therefore the whiteboard words, “Grit & Grace.” There is no saying no to him!

Seek, Knock, Believe, and Find. When we pray, we must first believe. If we don’t believe, our prayers may not be answered. I always knew this. But, as I spiritually grew this year (thank goodness we continue to strengthen and grow), I really learned to know this. Praying in faith.

Matthew 7:7 NIV “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Mark 11:24 NIV “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

In reflection, my little human mind would fill with doubt as I prayed – as lies from the enemy whispered in my ear. I prayed and wondered, “Is He going to answer my prayer?” I was canceling out any hope before I asked for it. I was not giving God the trust-filled glory that I should have given him. Doubt filled my mind despite my sense of faith. So, I surrendered. I surrendered it ALL.

Today, I hope I have helped someone that might not understand we can think we have faith, but until we fully trust and surrender … until we seek, knock, and believe … we will not fully find the relationship that we want with him.

I came across this beautiful song today on YouTube as I thought about the words, “There is no fear in love.” Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

God bless.

I love you.