As our time here in Norway draws near an end, I find myself reflecting upon all that has taken place over the last month.  The culture here is quite different from back home and way colder, yet I have found myself feeling at home in many ways.  We have over our stay attended the house church at Kjetil’s parents with him and we enjoy them and the other couple that is part of it.  It reminds me quite a bit of the group that we started over a year ago back home, Fire By Night.  It is nice being able to spend quality time with them enjoying a fine Norwegian meal (of which I first experienced lamb) and then tea and coffee time of true fellowship.  There is such freedom there as we continue into worship and the word.

The first night that we attended, Jeremiah and I were asked to lead so we took that as an invitation for Jeremiah to proudly introduce his homemade award-winning chili to them, most of which had never experienced the greatness of chili!  We met that night, Jan and Katrine, the other couple of the group.  I have grown very fond of Katrine, a Norwegian Brit with the coolest accent and personality that I have ever encountered!  She even invited me for coffee the next day and blessed me with a straightener after being without for 2 weeks after mine committed suicide in Harpenden, London…(God is faithful to provide!)  We shared that night what we had learned at Circuit Riders as well as a word that the Lord had given Jeremiah as we embarked to Norway.  After much discussion time, we were given prophetic words from the group and I was blessed to have received a prophetic word from the Lord for them as Norwegians for their country.

The next week, Katrine led the word.  She had been moved to deep thought after the previous week about evangelism, what drives us in doing it or not doing it, and how to make practical steps to do it.  She works as a coach to help people for interviews, etc. so she made a very thought-provoking question sheet, we split into partners and went through the worksheet to discover the answers.  One of the biggest realizations that were brought forth through the discussion was that fear is the main hindrance that grips us.  We were asked what we thought the definition of fear was.  According to Miriam-Webster’s definition, fear is an unpleasant often strong emotion caused by anticipation or awareness of danger, or False Expectations Appearing Real.  To me, fear is anything that binds, robs, and keeps you from fulfilling God’s purpose and plans for your life.  Fear’s very nature is to deceive.  The truth is fear is not from God.               2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 

Fear has become (at least in America) an alluring stronghold in the majority of people and the sad thing is that so many, like myself at one time, don’t realize the hold it may have on them.  It hides in the horror/thriller movies, ghost-hunting, zombie, tv shows and games, Halloween is celebrated mostly through preying on people’s fears and drawing them forth…all with the excuse that it’s make-believe, not real, so it’s okay to partake in it.  These all and more open the door for the enemy to bring fear into your life.  It is truly demonic, not of God.  Furthermore, it hides subtly in everyday life and I have discovered that it has the most diverse flavors.  Fear of man (insecurity), fear of punishment (little peace, joy, hope, faith), fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of the past, and sudden natural fears.  I know because I have been at the hand of all of these for the majority of my life.  Fear robbed me of so much that God had for me.  It was not until I was given the revelation that called out fear for the liar that it was that I was able to gain freedom from each of these and only after that was I free to walk in what God was calling me to fully.  It is a daily decision to not allow fear in my life, and becomes more apparent the more aware I am of it’s grips.  Had I allowed fear to do what it does best, I would not be here in Norway doing ministry out of the fear of the unknown (how God would provide, what the rest of the trip looks like), failure, fear of man.  I would not have even began a relationship with my now husband because of fear of man (literally), abandonment and past hurts.  I would still be a shy, insecure, timid woman bound in a life of sickness, depression and living unfulfilled.  (Truth.)

I encourage you to examine your life and ask the Lord to show you any area in your life where fear may have a stronghold and where you may be living unfulfilled.  Fear can’t just hinder evangelism, it can hinder everything that God has for you and how He wants to change the world through you.  The dogs of doom stand at the door of destiny.  I remind you of a quote by Amy Sollars, “The enemy’s greatest fear is that we will realize who God has made us to be and we will walk in it.”   Don’t let satan bind you up in fear, but bind him up in fear by embracing everything that God has made you to be and do!

Katie, Pure Fire of Yahweh!!!