When your mind writes the worst ending first

2 Timothy 1:7

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

When your mind writes the worst ending first. You can look completely fine on the outside while this is doing a number on you inside. The first feeling is not always the problem. The problem is what you let that feeling authorize. Fear can authorize control. Rejection can authorize chasing. Shame can authorize hiding. Exhaustion can authorize choices you would not make from a clear mind. Fear is loud because it wants to be treated like prophecy. Jesus Christ tells the truth about the future even when you cannot see it. The goal today is not to control the outcome. It is to stay aligned with Christ while the outcome is still unknown.

What would change if you stopped treating this moment like a verdict?

Lord Jesus Christ, I bring You the part I can explain and the part I cannot. Keep me from reacting out of fear, shame, pride, or loneliness. Teach me to move with You. Amen.

fear