Tag Archives: Fear

Agitated and Stirred Up

13 Tuesday Sep 2016

Posted by in Faith, Fear, Hope

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Agitated? Stirred up?  Feeling like all is not well?

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I Peter 3:4 talks about having a gentle and tranquil spirit. We all know that when we have a gentle and tranquil spirit, it is much better for us personally and it’s much much better for the people around us.

What causes our spirit to be agitated?  We think it is circumstances but it’s not.

I Peter 3:5-6 gives us insight into what causes us to be agitated. It tells us about Sarah and other holy women who adorned themselves with a gentle and tranquil spirit.  It tells us they were able to have this kind of a spirit because of two things.

  1. They were not afraid.
  2. They hoped in God.

I love that Sarah is mentioned. It gives me hope. If you remember Sarah, she was so agitated at one point in her life that she concocted one of the dumbest ideas ever to help God out with His promise. She offered her handmaid, Hagar, to her husband so they could have the promised child.  Whoa!  Not so gentle and tranquil!  But somewhere along her journey, she became unafraid as she learned to hope in God.

If you’re feeling agitated today, ask yourself these two questions.

  1. What am I afraid of?
  2. Have I lost hope?

Remember God is always with you.  Give Him your fears.  Hope in God. Tell Him what you want. He may not give you everything you want but He will be with you always. Believe that He is good. Believe He will always give you what is best. Let His peace rule in your heart and in your thoughts. Philippians 4:5-7

 

 

 

 

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How Dare You Call Me Lazy!

02 Saturday Jan 2016

Posted by in Choice, Faith, Faithfulness, Fear, Gift

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I don’t think of myself as lazy. So when I was reading a parable in Matthew this morning, I was struck by the master’s response to the slave who had buried his talent. The master said, “You wicked, lazy slave…”  Matthew 25:26

What was the slave’s excuse for not using the master’s talent?

He said, “I was afraid… ”

I am afraid, too – afraid to go all in, afraid of failure, afraid to pursue my God-given dream of full-time women’s ministry, afraid to boldly pursue speaking opportunities.

Fear paralyzes.  Fear causes us to do nothing. Fear leads to laziness.

So how do we address this fear?  We do something!  Something is better than nothing!

Paul told Timothy to get busy- to be disciplined and use his gift.  In so doing, he would demonstrate that the spirit from God is one of power, love and discipline.  2 Timothy 1:6-7

So today I choose to go all in.  Today I choose to be disciplined and do the work.  I want to hear the Master say to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

How about you?  Where do you need to exercise discipline over fear?

The Best Thing I Can Say About Myself

22 Monday Jun 2015

Posted by in Change, Encouragement, Faith, Fear

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The best thing I can say about myself is, “I’m learning to trust God today.”

Every day is a faith walk!  This is how God intends it to be.

If you’re like me, you may find yourself longing for just one day without concerns, difficulties and struggles.  This day will come but not until we see Jesus face to face.

Difficulties encourage us to fix our eyes on Jesus instead of trying to do life without Him.  It is for this very personal relationship that Jesus died.

What do we know about faith?

  • Our relationship with God begins with faith – faith in Christ alone.
  • Our relationship with God continues and grows by faith – faith in Christ alone.
  • Faith pleases God.
  • Faith is a fight – a good fight.

Jesus is the author and perfecter of faith.  He walked by faith when He endured the cross for us, giving us an example of faith in action.  He kept His eyes on His Heavenly Father. Hebrews 12:2

Are you facing a difficult situation today? Is someone you love in trouble? Are you in the midst of change?  Are you feeling anxious?  Are you afraid?

Fix your eyes on Jesus! He is willing and eager to help you. Put your faith in Him – not in your own strength, not in your circumstances, not in your bank accounts, not in other people – but in Him alone. Fight the good fight of faith!

I am fighting the good fight of faith.

  • I have walked away from my career as a CPA to follow God’s call on my life.
  • I am trusting God to guide me.
  • I am trusting God to provide opportunities of service.
  • I am trusting God with my future.
  • I am fixing my eyes on Him.

file000551198693 (1)Faith is assurance of the unseen! Hebrews 11:1

Change is Scary!

10 Tuesday Feb 2015

Posted by in Change, Faith, Fear

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Change is scary! Change is confusing!  Change creates anxiety, fear and doubt! And for these very reasons, change is a wonderful opportunity!

  • Change is an opportunity to go running to your Heavenly Father for comfort.
  • Change is an opportunity for increased clarity about God’s purpose for your life.
  • Change is an opportunity for your faith to become stronger and purer.

My life calling is undergoing radical change. Following the Lord’s leading, I am transitioning from being a full time CPA to being in ministry full time.  The transition is messy.  Sometimes I’m scared to death. Sometimes I’m confused. Sometimes I’m full of anxiety, fear and doubt.  Questions abound.

  • Is this realPA281186ly what God wants?
  • What about money?  Will God really provide?
  • Can God really use me?
  • What will really happen when I step out?
  • Will there be any opportunities to speak?
  • How do I move from where I am now to where I believe God wants me to be?

I am learning to take one step at a time and to trust that my Heavenly Father knows what is best for me. When I run to Him, He comforts me and reassures me that I am not in this alone.  It is His plan for me.  I can trust Him.  He never changes!

Are things in your life in upheaval?  Are you feeling confused and anxious? Seize the opportunity to run to your Heavenly Father.  Let Him lead you.

Casting all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.  I Peter 5:7  

The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:5b-7