It was a sudden jolt and paralysis set in. My mouth was glued shut, my mind was on permanent auto play of all my past failures and I was shackled in hopelessness. I had been kidnapped by fear and my purpose held for ransom.  God’s mission on my life remained stagnant as long as I remained hostage.  Many of us live in a kidnapped state and don’t realize it until it’s too late or never at all. In 2 Timothy 1:7 it reads “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind;” however, we allow fear to bind us even though the word decrees that we have all the power within ourselves to be FREE.

For years, I’ve dreamed of becoming a published author and yet I struggled with moving forward because of fear of what people would say or think of me. The battle I engaged in took center stage in my mind allowing FEAR to set my thoughts on fire and diminish my dreams. I would use excuses of lack of resources and support to mask my fears, until I experienced a reality check when my daughter published two books revealing my fears to the world. “Mom stop talking about it and do it. You have a story and people need to hear it”.  Now, I can only speak for myself, but when your children check you; it stings worse than being spanked with a wet switch. I can honestly admit, the sting still stings. At that very moment, I realized that I was being held hostage not by anyone, not by my current financial state,  but by fear.  My dreams and destiny were being held for ransom and the only way to get my dreams back and walk in my purpose was not to just recite 2 Timothy 1:7; I had to know and believe it with every fiber of my being that God has given me POWER, LOVE and SOUND MIND.

While I haven’t become a published author, I am no longer allowing FEAR to hold me hostage. I am currently working harder than ever on my first book and writing a blog.  I’m rejoicing over the small victories. My challenge to anyone reading this message today is, if you have been kidnap by FEAR; fight back because you are EMPOWERED; stop defeating yourself because of what you think people will say or do; speak life into your dreams and finally walk in your divine purpose!