Kudzu - We Can Conquer Fear!

Being a northern transplant to the southern states, I was introduced to an outlandish weed that can overtake acres of valuable land.  Kudzu alters picturesque landscapes by smothering fertile crops along its path.  According to Alabama A&M and Auburn University's website (aces.edu), the kudzu root system can weigh approximately 300 pounds and grows up to 12 feet below ground, which supports the weed’s expansive growth potential of 12 inches daily. Kudzu canopies streets with the aid of power poles and lines.  It shades once bountiful forests by prohibiting the necessary photosynthesis to grow and swallows vacant houses if not controlled!

What does this have to do with fear? 

Recently, I was dealing with a serious health issue, and I could feel fear trying to dominate my thoughts.  The “what ifs” began to draw gloomy and seemingly unavoidable scenarios attempted to overtake my faith.  It was as if fear was trying to consume my trust and reliance on my Father.  While driving, I noticed how kudzu had swallowed another section of forest in a nearby town. Then, it dawned on me that fear is like kudzu!  

As this revelation unfolded, I heard the neighbor cutting our grass. The next day, I looked out my back door, and what did I see?  A kudzu plant started to take root!  Apparently, a kudzu seed/particle rode along on his lawnmower into our yard.  I became a stealth ninja warrior, armed myself with my garden gloves and a bag, stormed outside, and aggressively snatched the new growth up by the root.  I threw the seedling into a bag to prevent the wind or birds from transporting it elsewhere.  Into the trash can it went!  As I was basking in my accomplishment of ridding our property of this horrible weed, Jesus said inside me, “Now, you deal with the fear that has been trying to infiltrate your heart and soul the same way you dealt with the kudzu seedling.  As you walk out this season of your life, trust me.  Don’t lose strength!  I got you!”

I said, “But how?”

Like the weed rode onto our land, fear rode into my mind, embodied in test results and a conversation with my doctor.   The seed was planted.  Then He reminded me how fear grows little by little with repetitive thoughts or images.  I needed to reverse the process by concentrating on God’s promises.  This would pull fear up by its proverbial root. 

I decided to revisit the anti-fear scriptures to remove the wobbling and teetering within my mind.  Using the Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, “be not afraid” was written 43 times and “fear not” or any derivative thereof, was written 91 times.  When God repeats themes, we can differently say our Heavenly Father does not want His children to be afraid of anything!  In fact, He let us know He is not the source when Paul writes to Timothy, “God had not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1.7)  Furthermore, it is written, “Perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4.18). 

Where we live…

Whenever we face a challenge, if we don’t dismiss negativity and stand in faith, we can be overcome by fear.  Search through the Bible to discover all the potent promises that will ultimately dissolve fear.  We need to find our favorite few.  Memorize them.  Say them over and over - listen to ourselves say the words and allow them to flow into our hearts. “Faith comes by hearing the Word of God” (Romans 10.8-17 NIV).  Jesus said, “Have faith in God. Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.“ (Mark 11.22-24 NIV).  We will find ourselves getting stronger and able to surpass the adversarial concepts.  Uproot the weeds that want to choke out our faith.  

These are mine: 

“Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’

(Isaiah 41.9-10 AMPC)

“For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.” (Psalms 112.6-8 NIV)

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. (Psalms 34.4 NIV)

“In my desperation, I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles. (Psalms 34.6 NLT)  In fact, the entire 34th Psalm is good to me!