{How to Live without Dread}

Do you ever have something coming up in your life that you are dreading? You know things like an upcoming dentist appointment, an upcoming surgery, your husband leaving town, the terrible 2’s? The list could go on and on and before you know it you are living in a continual state of dread. What is dread, you may ask? Here is the definition from Dictionary.com:

dread
[dred] Show IPA
verb (used with object)
1.to fear greatly; be in extreme apprehension of: to dread death.
2.to be reluctant to do, meet, or experience: I dread going to big parties.

I relate to definition #2 often!

Dread says:
“It’s too hard, and I can’t do it.”
“I don’t feel like it.”
“I don’t want to.”
“It’s too hard.”
“I am too tired to even think about it.”
“I wish I didn’t have to go.”
“How long is this going to take?”
““I’m just doing too much, I can’t do another thing.”
“I want to run away from home.”
“I need to get away from here.”
“I’m so confused.”
“I’m so overwhelmed.”
“I’m so frustrated.”
“I’ll do that later.”
“I dread the kids coming home from school.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

Do any these sound familiar? Most of these statements come out of my mouth on a daily basis and I want it to change. Dreading things keeps me from living fully alive (see my blog post on Excuses below)

Let me give you an example of this in my life. My husband is leaving for Canada for 8 days. I’m dreading (I’m reluctant to meet or experience) him going. Why? My work load changes. I am both mom and dad. Inevitably something always goes wrong when he’s gone. Once I had no power for 5 days. I just don’t look forward to him going! What happens is a week before he leaves, I start shutting down. I get an intense sense of dread that comes over me.

OK I can see where I’m wrong, so what do I need to do about it?? I confess it as sin, repent and ask for God to remove this spirit of dread and replace it with His love.

What about you are you living with a spirit of dread over your life? Take a moment now and identify any areas in your life that you dread doing. List them out and pray this prayer.

Father, I recognize that I have lived in dread in these areas of my life_______________________(name them). I ask you to forgive me for not recognizing it was the spirit of dread. So I cast out the spirit of dread now in Jesus name. Restore me with your peace, love and joy. In Jesus name. amen.”

If our joy is stolen, then our strength is gone. Everything feels hard!

Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Neh. 8:10

Whenever that feeling of dread comes up repeat this process. Confess, repent and ask God to fill you with more of His love. Dread is really “fear” in another form. And the Bible says that perfect love casts out fear!

I also find that when I’m dreading things it is almost always me trying to do things in my own strength. I forget to bring God into the picture, acknowledging Him in every decision I make because I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13 So can you!

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses

The Danger of Making Inner Vows

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Comments

Denise Barkel says: October 23, 2013 at 7:30 PM
Barb I want thank-you for sharing this post today it really hit home for me continual the great work.Denise
Kristina Manscill says: October 24, 2013 at 12:29 AM
Such a great post. These are the types of things that should be going viral on Pinterest :)Would love for you to link up at All Things Thursday Blog Hop (mothersniche.com)
Trisha Flaherty says: October 24, 2013 at 7:48 AM
Amen! I just read a book by Gary Chapman called "Anger Handling a powerful emotion in a healthy way" and let me tell you - I recommend it to E V E R Y O N E!!!!!!! There is not a person on God's beautiful earth that cannot benefit from this book - I suggest you read it and it just may be the ticket to releasing the dread in your life - The prayers in the book helped me stop dreading visiting my father (since my mother passed 1 1/2 yrs ago) and embrace him for all that he is able to give me (emotionally). The healing was only by God's Grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. Trisha
Janis Cox says: October 28, 2013 at 2:47 PM
One of the first scriptures I memorized when I became a Christ follower.Blessings,Following you from Proverbs 31, Wife
Mary says: October 30, 2013 at 4:15 PM
I love this!!!!I featured you this week at Boogieboard Cottage, Take care, Mary
Margo says: October 30, 2013 at 4:40 PM
Oh boy can I relate to this post, and you are so right that we need not try to do things on our own! I recite that verse, "I can do all things through Christ..." many many times, but it is such a good reminder!
Kimberlee Gibson says: October 30, 2013 at 8:47 PM
This is one of my favorite verses and I use it frequently in my prayers. Such a powerful verse. Thanks for sharing.
Cate says: November 4, 2013 at 11:21 AM
All the hard work that went into this lovely sign. Too bad you spelled Philippians wrong. (Note there are TWO Ps together.)