Time to Walk

Are you a person who is always on guard, or would you consider yourself pretty relaxed?

I wouldn’t label myself overly cautious, but I also wouldn’t say I am carefree. I feel I use an appropriate amount of caution when I go out and do things. I’m aware, but not paranoid.

Recently, however, something happened that caught me really off guard.

As I was getting ready to do some computer work, I had this sudden thought that I needed to “Go for a prayer walk.” I knew this was probably the Lord wanting me to do this because a prayer walk isn’t something I would think to do on my own. I have prayed on walks before, but to call it a “prayer walk” is not a term I would use.

I don’t usually take walks, especially by myself and especially when it’s hot. So I tried to ignore this sweet little instruction, but the urge kept getting stronger, which then told me I needed to go. So I reluctantly gathered up my things and headed out the door.

As I left my driveway, I was immediately overcome with anxiety.

I do live on a semi-busy street with a lot of cars passing by, but I also see people walking and running all the time. Thinking about those people gave me some comfort, but not enough to keep my anxiety at bay. I don’t know why, but I just couldn’t bring myself to feel safe. I even had a little something for protection in my pocket, but the farther away from home I got, the more fearful I became.

Now, I know there is a woman’s intuition we need to pay attention to at times, but this wasn’t that. It was different. It was almost like I was being pushed to do something I was really scared of doing, which was strange because I was only going for a walk, not jumping out of a plane.

Needless to say, I wasn’t getting much prayer done at this point, which left me confused as to why I was even doing this because all I wanted was to turn around and go back home. However, knowing this wasn’t my idea, I pushed through the fear and just kept taking steps while keeping watch.

God was up to something, and I was here for it.

As I was carefully monitoring my surroundings, I decided to turn onto a little back street that always has less traffic than my street. Once I did, I immediately felt safer, and Psalm 23 came rushing into my mind. I mentally began quoting:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me;”

Suddenly my mind halted at that part of the chapter. “I will fear no evil because You are with me. I will fear no evil because You are with me.” Over and over throughout the rest of my walk, that became my prayer until I returned home…safely.

As I pondered this scenario, I felt a little envious of the people who I see getting out and walking or running. I was shocked at how unsettled I felt leaving my house. Living in this world, I know I have to be cautious, but what happened that morning seemed a little extreme. Thankfully, there were no physical threats I experienced on my walk, but my mind sure was attacking me.

What I loved was when the Word of God rushed in and brought peace just at the right moment. I sensed God reminding me that no matter what may come my way, mentally or physically, I can walk through it safely because He is with me. His Word is in me. I don’t have to be afraid because His promise of protection secures me. I may appear to be alone, but an army of angels surrounds me, guarding me in all my ways, and no harm will come near me.

And friend, if that’s His reminder to me, I know it is His reminder to you as well.

The truth is we do live in a very uncertain and dangerous world; however, God’s Truth is what we should live by and find comfort in. His Word is what we need to have hidden in our hearts and rooted in our minds so that when the enemy comes to try to steal our peace and kill our joy, we can stand against him with “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17

Here’s what I realized: this fear came because of what I had filled my mind with.

Whether from the news or social media, it was clear I needed to clear some things out. I let other people’s stories become my story so much so that taking a simple walk almost caused a panic attack. I let the world have control over my world. While yes, it’s ok to be aware of what is going on in the world, we don’t need to let those circumstances move in and steal our peace.

That can’t happen, sis.

We can not let what is happening in this world control us. Be aware, yes. Paranoid, no. We serve God. We live for God. He rules our lives. He shows us how to live, and living bound by fear, worry, and anxiety is not His plan for us.

Taking a walk and having fear consume me is not His plan for me, but it was my warning sign that something wasn’t right. Without realizing it, I had let the world influence my world; little by little, I had let fear seep in and invade my peace. The Bible even warns us of this in Song of Solomon 2:15, telling us it’s “the little foxes that spoil the vines.”

This walk was God’s reminder that whatever may come in life, I don’t need to be arrested by worry. I need to walk in His freedom. I don’t need to be led by fear; I need to be led by His Word!

Just as in 2017, a couple of days before I found out my marriage was ending, the Lord led me to this scripture. I had no idea what I was about to walk through, but He did:

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,

Nor shall the flame scorch you.” Isaiah 43:2

This was His promise to me then, and it hasn’t changed.

If any of this resonates with you, friend, it’s probably time to make some adjustments in your life. Whether it’s with your phone or your friendships, it all needs to be brought and laid at Jesus’ feet. Finding yourself overcome by worry, fear, insecurity, or anything else that steals your peace is a sign the enemy has inched his way into your life. In some way you have allowed him to gain power, and you need to take it back.

We were never meant to be overcome, only to overcome. That’s right, sis, YOU are an overcomer.

So walk like it.