Someone once taught me a valuable lesson about birds.  Birds when they first start to fledge, often try to jump from the nest or any other object they can to try to fly.  Often they fall on their beak and sometimes even get hurt.  Yet they always keep getting up and trying to fly even after a fall until they get it right.
Facing a fear and getting back up and going again is a lesson that we all could learn from.  Like the bird, everyone has times in life where they fall down, and sometimes even get hurt, yet often those who get back up and try again are the ones that make it past that trial and soar on through life stronger and better than before. 
Sometimes the person is scared to try again, so they pick ways to hide themselves until they are ready to face that fear.  You can ignore it, you can fight it, you can even run from it, but at some point, there will come a time when you have to face your fears.  Then what do you do?
True courage is to face a fear even when you are quaking in your boots and to do what needs to be done anyway.  It is not easy, but it is so worth it to face those.  This can apply to anything from a fear of spiders to fear of facing the truth.  It is always better to face it and find ways to deal with it than to let something drive you for the rest of your life away from your dreams, ambitions and accomplishments in life.
Like the bird who keeps on trying until it gets it right, sometimes each person has to work at what it is in life that is the fear they have to face.  Sometimes you may need help with facing it, and it is ok to ask for help.  The baby bird has the encouragement of its parents to help motivate it, and just like that you have others around who will be willing and able to help if you ask them.  You are never alone in your battles, and never let the devil fool you into thinking you are.  
Often the good Lord allows things to happen like in the trials of Job to prove and test his saints.  He loves each and every one of us, but allows the darkness around to try to trick you into thinking you are alone, or unable to do anything or unable even to come back from the darkness to test the metal of the soul. 
The refiners fire is when all those negative influences are overcome by the light within, when all of the temptations are pruned out and carved out of the spirit, until the spirit is refined and defined as bright and as pure as it can be.  
Like a tree shaped by pruning and careful gardening, your spirit grows and shapes into the pattern the Lord would have it be with each step in the right directions you do.  It may not be anything like what we plan or hope for, but I can guarantee that if you follow what he would have you prune out, cut out, drive out of the darkest portions of your soul, it will become something so much better than you ever expected.  Someday like the baby bird, you may find yourself flying well above the dangers and true and straight as the good Lord would have you do.
Facing your fears is a good thing, and finding the answers to them.  May you all fly high and find the path to where you need the most to be,
Maraleh

Tags: Hope Second Chances Faith Endurance Wings

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