I get the feeling that the world is spinning a bit off kilter since the start of 2020. I have frankly lost track of the number of historic events that have happened this year, but I’m very aware how they have affected my family and community. The uncertainty of a global pandemic, the canceled events, job changes, and the loss of a perfectly good school year have weighed on us in a way we were not prepared for. Now with increased turmoil across our country, something very bizarre going on in Seattle, and an election year on the horizon, we can sense the storm continuing to brew... and it’s scary.

Our community, FWMOM has been greatly impacted as well. This has been a challenge and an adventure as we all have had to find creative ways to continue to function and connect. I believe it has made us stronger as an organization, as a squad, as mothers.

What a year to focus on overcoming fear and living a fearless lifestyle! Nobody could have predicted how timely this topic has been for us. We are now looking face to face into a storm of epic proportions and uncertain future and the opportunity to fear is most definitely here. It is time to live a Fearless Lifestyle, friends!

Let’s wrap up this series with an action step. Rise above. If there was ever a group of mothers who understands what it means to rise above challenges, it’s mothers of multiples! It is what we do. When it comes to rising above fear we have to start with our focus. Like mentioned above, there are plenty of things going on around us to steal our attention and peace. Being intentional about what has our attention has a great impact on our ability to combat fear. I’m often reminded of that little Sunday school song:

“Oh be careful little eyes what you see. Oh be careful little eyes what you see.

For the Father up above is looking down in love, oh be careful little eyes what you see.

Oh be careful little ears what you hear. Oh be careful little ears what you hear.

For the Father up above is looking down in love, oh be careful little ears what you hear.”

The essence of this simple song is key to overcoming fear. We have talked about the concept that what you feed will grow. If your diet intake consists primarily of reading every post about COVID, BLM, President Trump, China, Russia, riots, police reform... it will erode at your peace in a way that is difficult or even impossible to remain positive and removed from fear. To rise above fear, we must choose to turn it off. I’m not saying be uninformed, but not making it our largest portion of intellectual intake.

When Peter in the Bible was walking on water towards Jesus, literally participating in one of the most famous miracles ever recorded... he was FINE until he put his attention on the storm. You as MOMs are walking out miracles every day (keeping all the children alive, miraculous). If you take your attention and place it on the chaos and the storm around you it can be disastrous. Fear and worry steal from your ability to participate fully in the lives of the little Wonders at your feet. None of us want that.

Take action. Rise above the storm and choose not to feed the fear.

But. How? Feed on the right things. Colossians 3 tells us to set our mind on things above, not on the things of the earth. Spend more time taking in the great things happening in your life and the lives of those around you. Set habits in your life that uplift and encourage you, however it works for you. Notes

on the mirror, reminders on your phone, finding a few moments of quiet... and using them to fill your mind with goodness (not Facebook).

Let me share this final scripture with you. This is how you rise above:

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious- the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you have learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.” Philippians 4:8-9 MSG

What an action list! I pray that you can take this as a challenge to adjust what has your attention. Rise above, Fearless MOMs!

Tonya Flowers is mother to Lucas 9, and twins Wyatt and Timothy who are 4. She's a wife, nurse, and minister, and currently serves FWMOM as our chaplain.