Not The Word I Wanted

                   I’ve spent the last 6 weeks praying and asking God to place one word on my heart…

                   A word that He would help me unpack, piece by piece, throughout the next twelve months.   

                   A word that would change me and, of utmost importance, bring glory to Him. 

   

To be honest, I was hoping for JOY or Worship or PRAISE.

Anything but… wait for it…   

Fearless.    

Doesn’t He know my fears are v.a.l.i.d.?! 

                 

                God has already taught me a bucket-load about casting my fears upon Him.  

                But I have so much more to learn... Fear has been my life-long buddy. My earliest 

                memories are of things and people that made me shake with fear.  I have feared

                being rejected, being misunderstood, the loss of income, and worsening 

                health issues... Oh, I could go on and on!

                Time and again, God has been so consistently faithful to keep His promises, and yet, 

                at times, I still find my chest tightening at the thought of  ‘what will happen next’.

                Isn't it amazing how much power we allow the voice of fear?  It sometimes whispers to us 

                in the middle of the night.  It sometimes screams at us in the shower.

                What does fear say to you?

                    Sometimes:

                                             Fear says God won’t help you this time.

                                             Fear says your child won’t find his way back to the Lord.

                                             Fear says your finances won’t improve.

                                             Fear says your husband won’t ever change.

                                             Fear says you won’t be able to raise godly children.

                                             Fear says you’re not a ‘good enough’ mom.

                                                        Fear says you'll always be alone.

 

Do you allow your fear to have 

a louder voice than God's word? 

 When you're paralyzed with fear that you'll 
make the wrong decision, God says:

 “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.   

I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10  (NLT)

When you fear you're failing as a mom, God says:

“For I am the LORD, your God,

who takes hold of your right 
hand and says to you,

do not fear; I will help you.” 
Isaiah 41:13
 

 When you fear being rejected, God says:

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you: 
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.” 
Isaiah 43:1

When life seems so scary, God says:

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
The Lord protects me from danger—so why should I tremble?”

Psalm 27:1

Faith believes God's promises are true, and fear says He's a liar.
Lord, help us to believe.

 

Living in His grace, 

Mary

How do you handle fear? 

I'd love to hear how God is helping 

you to become 

Fearless! 

                          Please leave a comment! 

   Thanks to Melanie at Only a Breath for creating this fabulous 'Fearless' button!

When Trusting God Is Hard

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Today I feel as though I’m climbing a steep mountain heaped with jagged rocks and few hand-holds... A mountain I’ve climbed before and had hoped to never face again.  Even as I write this, I'm thinking, sheesh Mary, you're sounding a little dramatic.  Well, I'll be honest with you, I'm feeling a little dramatic... which is unusual for me. My usual coping technique is to minimize.  But not today...

Several years ago I developed nerve damage in my legs and feet.  My legs felt like they were continually being electrocuted and the bottoms of my feet felt like they were being crushed with broken glass.  It was a consistent, excruciating pain that lasted for over a year and then eventually calmed down to occasional outbursts.  The neurologists were baffled and the meds they tried gave little relief and increased my ever-present migraines.  And so I waited... and endured.  And through it all, I learned so much about the faithfulness and deep love of God.

Well, the jolting pain seems to be making a come back.  And to be honest, I'm tired, and I find myself a little OK, maybe more than a little afraid.  I love the honesty of David, and I’m relating to him in a very real way as he cried out,  "Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help;” 

(Psalm 69:1-3a)  Oh yes, I can relate!

I’ve asked myself if I can trust God... A God that would allow this to happen again?  Which is really asking, “God, are You worthy of my trust?”  And then I feel ashamed for asking... because I know that He is worthy of all trust.  Job said, "Though He slay me, I will trust in Him." Job 13:15a   I pray that I would trust Him.  p.e.r.i.o.d.  I pray that I would have a trust that supersedes health, finances, disappointments, heartaches, anything that He allows and satan and life throw my way.  And I pray this for you as well.

I not only love that David cries out to God with gut-deep honesty, but that throughout the Psalms, he reminds himself of the holiness and greatness of God.  And like David, (and with a lot of help from Jesus) I’m determined to remember who God is and what He's done for me.  I’m determined (with a lot of help from Jesus) NOT to allow satan to convince me that God isn’t worthy of my trust.   

Is there an area in your life where you're struggling to trust God?  

Together, let's tightly hold onto God's word which is swollen  

with beautiful, empowering, life-giving, life-sustaining riches. 

Let's remember that our peace is in Jesus and not in our circumstances.  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Let's remember (as my sweet friend reminded me) that everything has purpose. "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”  2 Corinthians 4:17

Let's remember that this (fill in the blank) will not last forever. 

“Weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”  Psalm 30:5

 

Let's remember that God commanded Joshua to “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9 

Let's remember that we don't belong to ourselves.  “You are not your own, you were bought at a price.”   
I Cor. 6:19b-20a

Let's remember that in giving all, we gain all.   

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”   

Mark 13:30

Let's remember that His grace is sufficient... that in our weakness, His power is made perfect.  "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness."  2 Corinthians 12:9

Apart from the Lord's precious strength, I'm a weakling.  I pray that my determination will be strengthened by the Holy Spirit... to His glory.  

Are you or someone you love going through a rough time?  

I'd love to hear from you, and I would count it a privilege to be able to pray for you.

Living in His grace!
Mary

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What A Day!

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What a day! 

I’ve been feeling really crummy lately and was directed by my doctor to have some blood-work done. So I dutifully, albeit reluctantly, took a little trip to the hospital and generously gave a few vials of my life’s-blood. Well, before I could get back home, the hospital had called the Dr.’s office, and the Dr.’s office had left an urgent message on my phone.  Hhmmm...  I was told not to do anything strenuous (as if I could right now!) because my potassium level was ‘dangerously low’.  Hhmmm again...  They prescribed some potassium (they want to see if that works before trying an IV). I’ve been on the potassium for a few days and will re-test this week. I’m praying it makes a huge difference!

Same day, four hours later...

My husband came home, shoulders slumped, face serious.  Uh-oh.  He sat down next to me, gently took my hand, and explained that the corporate office of the company he works (ed) for, executed a national down-size, and his department was dissolved. Plain-speak? He has joined the ever-growing ranks of the unemployed. Well Darn.  It’s not the first time we’ve been here. My heart aches for my husband. I really don’t want to see him have to go through this yet again. 

Same day, one hour later...

We cried out to the One who loves us.  He heard our prayers, and generously gave us His peace. Have I wavered since then? Oh yes. Every once in a while fear grips my chest. But I immediately take those “what in the world are we going to do?” thoughts captive. And like David, I remind myself just who my God is and who I am because of Him. We belong to Him and He will absolutely, positively, without a doubt take care of us.

Thank you Father for Your peace, for Your provision, for Your life-giving Word, for the assurance of Your love. I am so grateful. Amen.

 Living in His grace, 

Mary                                           

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Worry-Free Living

Worry and fear can be all-consuming.  I know.  I’ve been consumed at times.  They can cleverly weave themselves into every thought and make even a “good” day feel gloomy and grey.   

What are you worried about?  Paying your bills? The health of someone you love?  How your children are turning out?  Will you keep your job?  Retirement?  Stop for a second and put words to your fears.  “I’m worried about___________.”  

Worry and fear can lay siege to our thoughts, grab our peace, hurl it into a prison cell and slam and lock the door, leaving us wringing our hands wondering what in the world we’re going to do.

 

Can you imagine a day without worry or fear?  Just one day where faith in Jesus would replace the fear you struggle with:  your finances, job security, health, marriage, children...  It’s hard to take that mental journey, isn’t it?   Stop and think how different your day would be if you weren’t lugging around those heavy worries.  The weight lifts, your stomach stops churning, your mind isn’t entangled with those troubled thoughts.

Jesus knows our nature as fearful worriers.  He knows how life-destroying fear is.  And because he cares so deeply for us, the Gospel contains numerous imperatives to “fear not”, “take heart”, and “have courage”.  Jesus knew it was something we’d need to hear time and time and time again. 

How in the world do we ditch the worry and fear? 

Fortunately,  Jesus didn’t just tell us the answer. Because we are of utmost importance to our God, our Father sent us an Advocate!  Yes, the Holy Spirit will teach and remind us of everything Jesus said!  But wait, that's not all! Then... Jesus gave us His peace.  Wow!  He has provided everything we need to live a life free of worry and fear.  It's ours for the receiving! 

How do we receive His peace?  We choose to believe His word is true, and embrace the One who was sent to continually point us toward a sweet, trusting relationship with our perfect Jesus.

Please read this! It's so awesome!

^“ 26But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, 
will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 
 27Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. 
I do not give to you as the world gives. 
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” 
 Matthew 14:26,27 (NIV)

I pray that the Lord will help our hearts be free of worry and fear! 

Love and blessings, 

Mary