Fear Fighting: Stomping Out the Image of Perfect

I'm excited to have author Kelly Balarie here today! Kelly's new book Fear Fighting, Awakening the Courage to Overcome Your Fears comes out on Tuesday, January 3, but you can pre-order it now! 

I had the privilege to read an advance copy, and let me tell you, you will be encouraged! Kelly doesn't pretend to have this fear fighting thing completely figured out - she's right there in the trenches with us. She writes from her heart, sharing stories of her own experiences and Biblical truths.

Please welcome Kelly...

I blame it on TV. I grew up watching the princesses. You know them, right?! They were the ones whose complexions looked like porcelain, whose lips were the color of rose, and whose lives were a hot mess. Until, the prince came in and swooped them up into his arms and forever changed their lives.

They always looked perfect. You see, they had dresses that swooshed in the wind and 90% of the time their voice sounded like an angel sent straight from heaven. Usually, I was jealous of them.

I guess I still am. Because, in so many ways, I try to be them.

I try to doll myself up. I try to show the world there is not a fold in my face. I try to pretend I have Pinterest Christmas when really my focus is on having Christ in Christmas. In reality, I'm the centerfold for T-shirts with yoga pants. I live in the model house of toilet paper adorned floors, little droppings of paper my kids rip up and leave behind like trails of their journey.

Ugh. I fall short.

I don't think I am fooling people either.

My sister came over just the other day. When she got to my porch, she said, "Kelly, you do know that Halloween was over weeks ago?"

The frozen pumpkins on my stoop threw her for a loop, I guess.

Whoops.

I want to fool people though. I want to fool you - real bad. Because then you'll aspire to like me. This is what I tell myself anyway. If I look all great for you, you'll approach me like that prince and you'll want to give me things and bless me with kind words and pour out love on me. I'll take that. Sometimes, I convince myself I need that.

I need your approval. I need to feel good about myself.

Or, do I?

I am not so sure lately. Because, what I am coming to terms with is the fact that - there ain't no woman who can do everything. You find her and I'll buy you whatever material item you've convinced yourself you need to have to finally reach the pinnacle of...dun, dun, dun..."perfect woman."

The lady is imaginary. She's an illusion. Yet, still, we all chase her as if she is worthy of our highest praise.

And, this is what I am realizing - if I am praising this image of the woman I want to be, I can't really be the image of whom Christ has created me to be.

Dang! I could truly spend my whole life chasing carrots, rather than partaking at God's feast? His bounty. His spiritual riches.

I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints.

Ephesians 1:18

I wrote the book, Fear Fighting: Awakening the Courage to Overcome Your Fears to find God's truth. In so many ways, God answered. He showed me there is a glorious inheritance awaiting me and it is not found through appearances, airs, or goods.

It is the joy found in the lopsided nature of my nose - a nose God adores.

It is the grace covering the moments I forget things.

It is the peace dug up from a heart that knows God is in charge.

It is the hope God will shape me into the likeness of him.

It is the knowledge God loves me just as He created me.

It is the belief that he chose me.

It is the understanding, in Him, I am secure.

It is in the need, we find our prince, Christ Jesus. Will you let him rescue you?

Interested in fighting fear? Join the 4 Days to Fearless Challenge!

About the book:
Author and Speaker, Kelly Balarie didn’t always fight fear – for a large part of her life, she was controlled by it. Yet, in her book, Fear Fighting: Awakening Courage to Overcome Your Fears, with God, Kelly charts a new course.

Join Kelly, on the journey to go and grow with Christ’s bravery, the Spirit’s counsel, and God’s unending love that squelches fear. This book reads like a love letter from God, while offering practical heart-calming prayers, anxiety-reducing tips, and courage-building decrees that will transform your day. www.fearfightingbook.com.

About Kelly Balarie:

Kelly is both a Cheerleader of Faith and a Fighter of Fear. She leans on the power of God, rests on the shoulder of Christ, and discovers how to glow in the dark places of life. Get all Kelly’s blog posts by email or visit her on her blog, Purposeful Faith. You can also find a variety of resources for your fight against fear here.

[Photo credit: Kelly Balarie]

Linking up with: Grace & Truth, #FreshMarketFriday, Faith 'n Friends