I don’t know if it’s because I’m a coach’s wife or an education professional—or both—but summertime hits different in our house. Even though Oji and I technically work year-round, there’s something about these warmer months that stirs up a spirit of reset in me.
The moment that school-year chaos quiets down, I find myself shifting gears: decluttering rooms, opening mail that’s been piling up like it had a grudge, and drafting that infamous to-do list that’s part healing ritual, part strategy session.
But this summer, while I was scrolling through social media, something stopped me in my tracks. A family member shared a post about a loss on the other side of her family. She admitted that she’d been living in a space of avoidance—not procrastination, not busyness—just straight-up dodging the hard stuff, the healing stuff.
And whew, that hit me in the gut.
It reminded me of a season years ago, after I lost my mama, when my own sister-friend had to pull me out of my emotional cocoon. Back then, I thought I was just taking my time… but I was grieving before it was even time to grieve. I was staying stuck in survival mode.
Now here I am, standing at another threshold. I recognize the pattern trying to repeat. But this time, I’m choosing differently. Not just for me—but so my children can see what it looks like when their mama goes for her goals and finishes what she starts.
That soul check sent me digging through one of my old Bible study notebooks—thirteen years old, to be exact. And wouldn’t you know, right there on the page in my own handwriting, the Holy Spirit had left me a note:
“When fear knocks on the door, make sure faith answers.”
It was inspired by Romans 12.
I pulled up the Bible app and read the verse again, fresh with this morning’s anointing:
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” — Romans 12:2 (NLT)
Whew. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard that scripture—on church pews, YouTube sermons, IG reels—but today it hit me different.
Maybe it’s because I’ve been decluttering not just my home, but my habits. Releasing things I’ve outgrown, revisiting projects I shelved out of fear—not failure.
Because the truth is, avoidance is just fear in a pretty outfit.
But when you let faith open that door? Everything changes.
🕊️ Faith Takeaway:
God’s will doesn’t sit in the shadows of avoidance—it lives in the light of action. Let His Word transform your thinking, and your walk will follow.
đź“Ł Your Turn:
What door is fear knocking on in your life? And how can faith answer for you today?
Share this post with someone who needs a reminder that transformation starts with one brave yes.
© 2025, Lela Fagan. All rights reserved.
