Summary: <br> Have you ever been in a relationship that brings out the worst in you? A relationship that doesn’t serve you or anyone else? Where you’re being used and abused. A relationship that sucks the very life out of you, robs you of who you are and all you’re truly capable of?<br> What do you do with this kind of relationship? Do you choose to stay thinking maybe you can change it? Do you settle believing this is all there is for you? Do you begin to believe you’re not good enough for anything else?<br> OR DO YOU BREAK UP?<br> Most of us have been in this kind of relationship, and many are still in that relationship. But I’m not talking about some guy … I’m talking about your relationship with FEAR. Your marriage to negative thoughts and worst case scenario. Your life-long connection with all that could go wrong.<br> Yes, it’s a relationship. You have fear, and fear has you. And the future of this relationship is completely up to you. You don’t have to continue this because I promise you this, fear isn’t going to change. You are the only part of this relationship that can change.<br> Que the music, it’s time for the breakup song!<br> Oh yes, we are continuing this week’s ‘Pray and Play’ devotional series. I pray, then I hit shuffle play on the BIG Life Mornings Spotify playlist, and the first song that plays becomes the inspiration for the devotional, and today it was “The Breakup Song” by Francesca Battistelli.<br> Fear, you don’t own me<br> There ain’t no room in this story<br> And I ain’t got time for you<br> Telling me what I’m not<br> Like you know me well guess what?<br> I know who I am<br> I know I’m strong<br> And I am free<br> Got my own identity<br> So fear, you will never be welcome here<br> Isaiah 41:10 God says “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”<br> Do you believe that? Do you believe God is with you? Do you believe he will strengthen and help you? Do you believe he is holding you in his hand at this moment? GREAT. Then you’re in a committed relationship with God and there’s no room for fear here.<br> Hundreds of times in scripture we are told do not be afraid, do not fear. In fact, I can’t think of a single more repeated phrase in the bible. It’s very clear, God does not want his children in a relationship with fear.<br> Why do you think that is? Why would God create us with the ability to fear, but then continually tell us not to be afraid? Did God screw up? Wouldn’t we be better off without fear if it’s such a hindering factor in our lives?<br> Fear has it’s rightful position. It can serves to protect us … but let’s be honest, we’re not facing many saber tooth tigers these days on our daily commute. We’re not being attacked by woolly beasts or hunted by savages. If we were, fear would be necessary for our survival. But ya’ll we don’t even have to walk outside to start the car anymore! We have garages and remote start. We’re pretty well insulated by our cushy life of ease and comfort.<br> And yet, we still walk around in this relationship with fear. Fear of what could go wrong. Fear of what may happen. Fear of what someone said or may say. Fear of what will never happen. We play out the scenario a hundred different ways of possible devastation and disaster, all before a single real thing has even happened. We’re all geared up for war against the saber tooth tiger that became extinct 12,000 years ago! It’s not even a real threat anymore. It’s over! It’s in the past and you can move on now.<br> What is fear doing in your life? What opportunities have you missed because you choose fear over faith?
