I was encouraged this weekend as I found time to read more of Chasing Daylight by Erwin McManus. I'm on the last chapter, but here's what I found Friday:
Erwin talked of how his son began having nightmares that elves were jumping on his bed. He and Kim (his wife) racked their brains to find out what had caused them and tried to reason with him that these elves didn't exist. Then it occurred to them. There had been an earthquake that shook their house and their son had reinterpreted the earthquake. A short time later they went to Northridge to help those who had suffered the most from the earthquake. With their 4-year-old son, they provided food, prayer, and comfort. The nightmares stopped.
"In a very real sense we took him into the mouth of the dragon so that he could overcome his fears.
I am convinced that when we face our fears, we look straight into the eyes of opportunity, and the courage we often need to engage our greatest challenge can be found only in the midst of engaging that challenge. There is a point as we seize our divine moments that a battle begins. It is in this point of impact where we experience conflict, opposition, and resistance. But it is also at this point of impact where we have the greatest opportunity. It is on the battlefield that we reflect what's on God's heart, and we stand in that place where God longs to make Himself known.
When re run from His purpose, we run from His presence. He will send you back to face your fears. There are times when we are called to go forward, and the worst thing we can do is to retreat from the challenge before us to the safety behind us.
It is a privilege to be called to go first even when it means you are the first to suffer and the only one at risk. It means you must bear the weight of responsibility and accept the consequences that will come with the privilege."
So, what is God calling you to do that scares you? He is with you and He will not leave you. Go for it! Blessings this week.
Showing posts with label Fear. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fear. Show all posts
Monday, May 12, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Spiritual Warfare #40
A Time to Move Forward by Charles Stanley
For many people, fear is an addiction. They are stuck, and there is only one way to get out of the disastrous rut they are in: They must admit there is a deep problem. Doing this can be difficult, though, because fear is a source of security for some people.
You can overcome fear when you do the following:
Admit there is a problem and you need God's help.
Confess your belief in God's sovereign care.
Commit yourself to spending time each day with God in prayer. Reading and studying God's Word are just as important, but it is in prayer that you learn to worship God and hear His voice speaking to you through His Word and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Meditate on God's Word, which contains His personal promises to you.
That concludes the chapter of Fear. Next, The Landmine of Immorality.
Did I mention our kitty troubles? Last Thursday our cat Sputters wasn't doing so well. Not focusing, not moving, not meowing, not getting in our laps. I thought maybe she was shutting down, as she's 12 years old. We took her to the vet and he ran blood work that showed she had a GI infection and her kidneys we being affected. He flushed her with fluids and gave her antibiotics and reran some of the blood work 24 hours later. The kidneys were perfect and though her white cell count was double normal, he flushed her again and sent her home with amoxicillan.
When we got home, she bolted out of the carrier like a cannon. She meowed, got on our laps, ate well, and did fantastic all week. Now she has been a puky kitty for over a year. That's the term our vet gave her. She throws up several times a week. (Hence the reason for the remodel, to put down tile) Last night she started throwing up again. I'm so sad. It looked like the antibiotics were fixing whatever was making her throw up. We changed her food when she got home, taking her off the allergy food and on straight C/D. I wish I knew what was causing the vomiting and how to stop it. Maybe it's a blockage or something, I don't know.
Why is it bad things always come in threes? Have a blessed day!
For many people, fear is an addiction. They are stuck, and there is only one way to get out of the disastrous rut they are in: They must admit there is a deep problem. Doing this can be difficult, though, because fear is a source of security for some people.
You can overcome fear when you do the following:
Admit there is a problem and you need God's help.
Confess your belief in God's sovereign care.
Commit yourself to spending time each day with God in prayer. Reading and studying God's Word are just as important, but it is in prayer that you learn to worship God and hear His voice speaking to you through His Word and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Meditate on God's Word, which contains His personal promises to you.
That concludes the chapter of Fear. Next, The Landmine of Immorality.
Did I mention our kitty troubles? Last Thursday our cat Sputters wasn't doing so well. Not focusing, not moving, not meowing, not getting in our laps. I thought maybe she was shutting down, as she's 12 years old. We took her to the vet and he ran blood work that showed she had a GI infection and her kidneys we being affected. He flushed her with fluids and gave her antibiotics and reran some of the blood work 24 hours later. The kidneys were perfect and though her white cell count was double normal, he flushed her again and sent her home with amoxicillan.
When we got home, she bolted out of the carrier like a cannon. She meowed, got on our laps, ate well, and did fantastic all week. Now she has been a puky kitty for over a year. That's the term our vet gave her. She throws up several times a week. (Hence the reason for the remodel, to put down tile) Last night she started throwing up again. I'm so sad. It looked like the antibiotics were fixing whatever was making her throw up. We changed her food when she got home, taking her off the allergy food and on straight C/D. I wish I knew what was causing the vomiting and how to stop it. Maybe it's a blockage or something, I don't know.
Why is it bad things always come in threes? Have a blessed day!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Spiritual Warfare #39
Thanks so much for praying for us. My bp went down around 8:00 yesterday morning and I felt so much better in that regard most of the day. Still weak from the cough virus, but pressing onward anyway. Greg got some pain meds that shouldn't make him drowsy, so he'll be back to work today.
A New Perspective by Charles Stanley
If God has placed you in a certain position, He will handle all the details concerning it and your life. Your only responsibility is to obey Him and leave the consequences to Him.
An older woman admitted she did not venture out much at night, "Things happen," she said with a sigh, "and there are a lot of bad things that can happen." Being cautious is fine, but being fearful is not in keeping with God's plan for your life. Bad things can and do happen to anyone at any time. Fear becomes a true problem when we focus on it. John wrote, "Perfect love [God's love] casts our far" (1 John 4:18). When you have the love of God in your heart, you can overcome the landmine of fear because you have the greatest source of encouragement, hope, and strength living within you.
While we need to be cautious and discerning, many times the enemy can use thoughts of fear to prevent us from stepping out and enjoying the good things God gives.
The enemy is looking for a place in your life to bury his landmine. However, if you are proactive in the way you approach dangerous situations, he will not have the opportunity to do this. You cannot be careless. Instead, listen for the voice of the Spirit-not the voice of fear-to direct you. There is a huge difference. Fear is something the enemy chatters about. God will never use fear to instruct you. He may want you to fear Him, which is a reverent fear that honors and loves, but He will never prompt you to become anxious or fretful.
Tomorrow we'll look at a section titled A Time to Move Forward. I just love this stuff and I pray it is helping you too. May this bring you to a state of fearless abandon for our Lord.
A New Perspective by Charles Stanley
If God has placed you in a certain position, He will handle all the details concerning it and your life. Your only responsibility is to obey Him and leave the consequences to Him.
An older woman admitted she did not venture out much at night, "Things happen," she said with a sigh, "and there are a lot of bad things that can happen." Being cautious is fine, but being fearful is not in keeping with God's plan for your life. Bad things can and do happen to anyone at any time. Fear becomes a true problem when we focus on it. John wrote, "Perfect love [God's love] casts our far" (1 John 4:18). When you have the love of God in your heart, you can overcome the landmine of fear because you have the greatest source of encouragement, hope, and strength living within you.
While we need to be cautious and discerning, many times the enemy can use thoughts of fear to prevent us from stepping out and enjoying the good things God gives.
The enemy is looking for a place in your life to bury his landmine. However, if you are proactive in the way you approach dangerous situations, he will not have the opportunity to do this. You cannot be careless. Instead, listen for the voice of the Spirit-not the voice of fear-to direct you. There is a huge difference. Fear is something the enemy chatters about. God will never use fear to instruct you. He may want you to fear Him, which is a reverent fear that honors and loves, but He will never prompt you to become anxious or fretful.
Tomorrow we'll look at a section titled A Time to Move Forward. I just love this stuff and I pray it is helping you too. May this bring you to a state of fearless abandon for our Lord.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Spiritual Warfare #38
Continuing on with the Consequences of Fear by Charles Stanley
Procrastination is another consequence of fear. People become afraid of not doing something right. Therefore, they put off doing anything at all! I have listened as grown men have described how their parents told them that they would never amount to anything. Internally, they believed this lie, and over the course of their lifetimes they began to procrastinate over the slightest activity. Yes, there was some fear of failure involved, but they also did not believe they could make a choice that was correct or meaningful. So rather than choose, they vacillated between any number of options.
Fear undermines self-confidence. Most of us know when we are yielding to fear. Each time the enemy tells us that we need to be afraid, we need to recall out loud the promises of God, beginning with 2 Timothy 1:7: "God has not given us a spirit of timidity [fear], but of power and love and discipline."
God's promise to you
To overcome fear, you must learn a simple principle that I have mentioned again and again in this book, and that is the principle of focus. When we keep our focus on Jesus Christ, life's struggles diminish and our faith becomes stronger.
God has chosen you to fulfill His will. There is no one who can do what He has called you to do. Yet fear often prevents us from doing this because we are worried about our circumstances. "What if this goes wrong?" "I feel so badly and afraid, I shouldn't try. Something might happen to me or to someone I love. Then what would I do?" But Jesus says, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). Although fear may not be able to kill you physically, it can paralyze you and create such a deep sense of anxiety that you will become sick-emotionally and physically.
Tomorrow it's about a new perspective and moving forward. Please pray for Greg and I. We've had a hard week. My blood pressure has been high, I've gotten a cough, dizziness, heart palpitations. Yesterday Greg cut his finger at work and needed 6 stitches. He couldn't sleep most of the night from the pain. God will see us through, it's just exhausting right now. Thank you so much for your prayers and your faithful reading of this blog. God bless.
Procrastination is another consequence of fear. People become afraid of not doing something right. Therefore, they put off doing anything at all! I have listened as grown men have described how their parents told them that they would never amount to anything. Internally, they believed this lie, and over the course of their lifetimes they began to procrastinate over the slightest activity. Yes, there was some fear of failure involved, but they also did not believe they could make a choice that was correct or meaningful. So rather than choose, they vacillated between any number of options.
Fear undermines self-confidence. Most of us know when we are yielding to fear. Each time the enemy tells us that we need to be afraid, we need to recall out loud the promises of God, beginning with 2 Timothy 1:7: "God has not given us a spirit of timidity [fear], but of power and love and discipline."
God's promise to you
To overcome fear, you must learn a simple principle that I have mentioned again and again in this book, and that is the principle of focus. When we keep our focus on Jesus Christ, life's struggles diminish and our faith becomes stronger.
God has chosen you to fulfill His will. There is no one who can do what He has called you to do. Yet fear often prevents us from doing this because we are worried about our circumstances. "What if this goes wrong?" "I feel so badly and afraid, I shouldn't try. Something might happen to me or to someone I love. Then what would I do?" But Jesus says, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). Although fear may not be able to kill you physically, it can paralyze you and create such a deep sense of anxiety that you will become sick-emotionally and physically.
Tomorrow it's about a new perspective and moving forward. Please pray for Greg and I. We've had a hard week. My blood pressure has been high, I've gotten a cough, dizziness, heart palpitations. Yesterday Greg cut his finger at work and needed 6 stitches. He couldn't sleep most of the night from the pain. God will see us through, it's just exhausting right now. Thank you so much for your prayers and your faithful reading of this blog. God bless.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Sspiritual Warfare #37
Through the Valley by Charles Stanley
Fear can come as a result of the way we were raised.
There came a point when I grew tired of cowering in fear. Whenever I felt fearful, I would pray. If it was dark and I had to deliver newspapers, I prayed for God's safety and protection. Soon fear began to vanish. Over a period of time, I grew to trust God in a greater way. I did not even think about whether it was dark or light. I was focused on the Lord.
This one habit helped to set a pattern for my life, which is to get up and pray every morning before I begin my activities. I could never thank God enough for my struggle with fear because it was the catalyst that led me into a closer relationship with Him. Consider this possibility: God may have allowed you to feel fearful to reveal more of Himself to you.
We struggle with fear because we allow our imaginations to go to places that God never intended us to visit. Most of the events that we fear never come true. Our fears are unfounded. While we worry about impending failure, death, and destruction, Satan is smiling because he knows he has our full attention. Whatever has your attention has you.
Ignorance of the promises in God's Word leads to fear.
Finally, fear is often the result of a poor self-image. When a person feels inadequate or unprepared, or does not measure up to others, a sense of fear will surround his life. Fear vanishes when we begin to understand several things about God.
He is not looking for us to perform a certain way.
We are adequate through Jesus Christ.
We need to ask God to give us the right perspective.
Tomorrow we'll look at the consequences of fear. I heard Joyce Meyer say once that F.E.A.R. was False Evidence Appearing Real. I tend to agree with that and I try to remember it whenever fear gets my attention. Blessings!
Fear can come as a result of the way we were raised.
There came a point when I grew tired of cowering in fear. Whenever I felt fearful, I would pray. If it was dark and I had to deliver newspapers, I prayed for God's safety and protection. Soon fear began to vanish. Over a period of time, I grew to trust God in a greater way. I did not even think about whether it was dark or light. I was focused on the Lord.
This one habit helped to set a pattern for my life, which is to get up and pray every morning before I begin my activities. I could never thank God enough for my struggle with fear because it was the catalyst that led me into a closer relationship with Him. Consider this possibility: God may have allowed you to feel fearful to reveal more of Himself to you.
We struggle with fear because we allow our imaginations to go to places that God never intended us to visit. Most of the events that we fear never come true. Our fears are unfounded. While we worry about impending failure, death, and destruction, Satan is smiling because he knows he has our full attention. Whatever has your attention has you.
Ignorance of the promises in God's Word leads to fear.
Finally, fear is often the result of a poor self-image. When a person feels inadequate or unprepared, or does not measure up to others, a sense of fear will surround his life. Fear vanishes when we begin to understand several things about God.
He is not looking for us to perform a certain way.
We are adequate through Jesus Christ.
We need to ask God to give us the right perspective.
Tomorrow we'll look at the consequences of fear. I heard Joyce Meyer say once that F.E.A.R. was False Evidence Appearing Real. I tend to agree with that and I try to remember it whenever fear gets my attention. Blessings!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Spiritual Warfare #36
Steps to moving on from disappointment by Charles Stanley
Recognize that disappointments can be conquered. How disappointment came into you life is not the issue, but your response to it is. You may be shocked, hurt, and angry, and you may want to run. That's okay. Yet if you cling to any one of these, they will blind you away from God's goodness, and your circumstances will become more dismal.
Chapter Nine, the Landmine of Fear
It can paralyze us to such a degree that we lose our godly perspective concerning our circumstances. It clouds our vision for the future and leaves us struggling with doubt. When our lives are shrouded in fear, we cannot imagine the goodness that God has for us.
You must come to a point where you know that God is who He says He is and that your future and all that concerns you are wrapped up in His loving care. There can be no doubt. When you now this, even when the storms of life strike, you will not be driven off course.
A fearful person wonders what difficulty or trying situation is waiting for him around the next turn in the road. He worries that something will go wrong, and it will be beyond his ability to handle it. He does not realize that by buying into fear, he has stepped on one of the most destructive devices there is-the landmine of fear.
We must never forget that the first step toward conquering fear is gaining truth and knowledge. When thoughts of fear occur, we must make a choice based on the truth we know. If our minds have been programmed with the Word of God, we will be able to discern truth from fiction-a real threat from a perceived danger.
His plan is not for us to crumble with feelings of anxiety. Instead, He wants us to know that He is aware of what is taking place. He also has our very best in mind. Though troubles come, He promises to bring good out of each one (Rom. 8:28)
I love this chapter. I've been waiting weeks to get to it. May his peace be with you always.
Recognize that disappointments can be conquered. How disappointment came into you life is not the issue, but your response to it is. You may be shocked, hurt, and angry, and you may want to run. That's okay. Yet if you cling to any one of these, they will blind you away from God's goodness, and your circumstances will become more dismal.
Chapter Nine, the Landmine of Fear
It can paralyze us to such a degree that we lose our godly perspective concerning our circumstances. It clouds our vision for the future and leaves us struggling with doubt. When our lives are shrouded in fear, we cannot imagine the goodness that God has for us.
You must come to a point where you know that God is who He says He is and that your future and all that concerns you are wrapped up in His loving care. There can be no doubt. When you now this, even when the storms of life strike, you will not be driven off course.
A fearful person wonders what difficulty or trying situation is waiting for him around the next turn in the road. He worries that something will go wrong, and it will be beyond his ability to handle it. He does not realize that by buying into fear, he has stepped on one of the most destructive devices there is-the landmine of fear.
We must never forget that the first step toward conquering fear is gaining truth and knowledge. When thoughts of fear occur, we must make a choice based on the truth we know. If our minds have been programmed with the Word of God, we will be able to discern truth from fiction-a real threat from a perceived danger.
His plan is not for us to crumble with feelings of anxiety. Instead, He wants us to know that He is aware of what is taking place. He also has our very best in mind. Though troubles come, He promises to bring good out of each one (Rom. 8:28)
I love this chapter. I've been waiting weeks to get to it. May his peace be with you always.
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