With the smoke detector situation completely under control and my cell phone fully charged, I declared our bedroom a “Beep Free Zone.”  My hopes were high for a peaceful and silent night.

Somewhere between 4 and 5 am, however, I was once again awakened by a familiar sound.  This time it wasn’t a “beep.”  It was Chris’ snoring.

I gave him a little love kick, which I have found over the years to be most effective in startling him just enough to interrupt the snoring but not enough to actually wake him up.  My technique once again proved successful.  I had just rolled over to resume sleeping, when the first fear presented itself.

Don’t you want to worry about ———? it greeted me.  I was reaching for the doorknob to let it in, when I remembered what I had learned yesterday.  I had a choice.

No, actually, I don’t,  I responded.  Silence.

Then.  But what if ———? it countered.

I’m not going to entertain that thought, was my reply.  More silence.

One more attempt.  But what about ———?

God is in control, I addressed the fear firmly.  Complete silence.

This surprising silence was such a total turn-around from the previous few nights, when my fears had thrown a boisterous slumber party in my bedroom.  Yes, I was the one who had invited them in.  But they had taken advantage of my hospitality and overstayed their welcome.  The party was over.  It was time for them to go.

Confronting them and refusing to give them free rein actually worked!  I was amazed at how much quieter it was and how much easier it was to sleep when my worries weren’t jumping on the bed like little monkeys.  I had won this pillow fight.

“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Victory over fear IS possible!