Monthly Archives: May 2015

Where’s God When I’m Afraid?

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Fear is something we can’t hide from. There maybe something in your past that you fear, clowns, snakes, heights, or you have fears related to your health. I’ve been down the health fears & sometimes fear thoughts come back. As hard as it is I fight back with the power of Christ. I can’t let Meniere’s control me. When the moment happens I pray in the name of Jesus Christ for that thought to leave my mind. Evil spirits will do anything they can to break us down. Once you understand where the fear is coming from it will be easier to fight back. Remember you don’t fight alone. Jesus is always on your team backing you up. He will never get tired of you calling on him.

Hope you have a Blessed day & take comfort in knowing you have a teammate for life with Christ.  Here is something that might help you.

Where’s God When I’m Afraid?

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May 27, 2015

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.” Psalm 22:1-3 (NIV)

I lay flat on the floor, pounding my fists in desperation.

Lost in grief so deep, I didn’t even think about the fact I might wake my babies, ages 4 and 9 months, napping in the rooms right next door. I wanted to snap myself out of it and return to folding laundry and picking up scattered toys. Instead, I lay pressed to the floor, drowning in a sea of horrible memories.

I flashed back to a boy, a gun and my teacher dying on the classroom floor. Mental images of the horror of what had happened a decade ago invaded my life as a young wife and mother, instantly engulfing me in post-traumatic stress.

Although I loved God, I’d stopped trusting Him long before this moment. The fear landscape of my life seemed preferable to trusting a God who could allow such a terrible thing to happen. Yet all the years I spent trying to pack down the fears of what I had witnessed as a child came flooding to the surface. With it came the exhaustion I felt from working hard to make my world, and my children’s world, safe.

The endless hours I expended trying to manage, control and protect my little family finally fractured my body, soul and spirit. I was a broken woman, falling apart.

And then in the middle of my meltdown, a verse, really nothing more than a quiet whisper, came rushing in.

“Yet You are holy …”

For those of us who struggle with fear, there may be no more important word in the Bible than the word yet.

Yet tells us the story hasn’t fully been told.

Yet tells us a page is about to be turned.

Yet tells us God has a different perspective.

In our key verse, we see how David felt like God was distant and unfeeling, like He was not listening. And David, like you and me, struggled greatly with fear. But despite all this, David followed his feelings with a powerful yet. And it’s a big one. “Yet you … are Holy.”

Here’s the thing: God never uses fear as a tactic to make us holy. His ways are higher than stooping to that level. If that’s true, there’s no need to panic. No worrying that God has lost control of things. No anxiety over things unknown. Just the calm, confident confession that God is still holy.

And in that holiness, God manages the details of the whole universe … including you, me and the people we love.

God isn’t just the God of the calm and peaceful. He isn’t just God in the happy and safe. He’s God in the chaos. He’s God in the courtroom, the emergency room, the waiting room and the viewing room.

He is always holy. Even now.

Trouble may abound but God is holy still. His sovereignty takes the pressure off of us to control our sometimes scary circumstances and hold tightly to the things we think will bring us comfort. Because God shows up, we can live our lives unafraid.

When the pressure overwhelms, when we’re broken on the floor or feel like we just can’t handle what the world may hand us … may we find God holy after all.

God, I am frightened of far too many things. Things that overwhelm me and cause me to believe You’re really not in control. And You know how I often try to become the savior of my little world, hyper-managing my children and the people I love, because I’m terrified You won’t show up. Regardless of how dark my circumstances feel or how terrifying my personal problems, You are holy. Thank You for being holy — and for being in total control. Let me rest in the peace of that knowledge. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Luke 12:31-32, “Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Don’t be afraid of missing out. You’re my dearest friends! The Father wants to give you the very kingdom itself.” (MSG)

– See more at: http://proverbs31.org/devotions/devo/wheres-god-when-im-afraid/?utm_source=Proverbs+31+Ministries+Devotions&utm_campaign=5525755a9f-P31_Devo_5_27_Susie&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_6b73962290-5525755a9f-207339561#sthash.runM1j0W.dpuf

The One Thing We Can All Have in Common

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We all have been in the moment of asking God “why me” because that is easier for our human self to handle. But spiritually we have to remind ourselves that God has a reason for everything. We may not understand, but remember to trust in him. He will take care of you.

Here is a devotional that might be helpful to you. Hope you have a Blessed weekend!

Taken from http://proverbs31.org/

The One Thing We Can All Have in Common
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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)

As I read her email, my heart felt heavy. She had endured so much pain in her life, none of which she deserved or caused.

Then I read another email. And this person’s story was completely different, yet the pain and heartache of her life seemed unfair, too, and more than one person should have to endure. Then another email. Then another.

Countless emails sat in my inbox — each one saturated with intense emotion and vulnerable honesty. All sharing a different experience and a different level of hurt, shame or regret.

One had been physically abused. One was betrayed. One battled addiction. One divorced. One had been sexually abused. One struggled with fear and anxiety. One had chosen abortion. One had been unfaithful. One had a serious disability.

The list was long, and every one of these women had something in her past that once made her feel insignificant, void of value and unlovable to God. Yet, despite their different experiences, all these women had one amazing thing in common, which stood out loud and clear.

You see, each one had allowed God to transform her pain into purpose, and as a result, their lives now shine as a living testament to the power of a Holy God. Each one had watched God turn something difficult into something that would glorify Him.

Romans 8:1-2 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death” (NIV). This verse reminds us that no matter what has happened in our lives, or what we have or have not done, God loves and values us unconditionally.

Later in that same chapter, in today’s key verse, we read God not only loves us, but has a plan and a purpose for our lives — not despite our past, but because of it.

Paul experienced pain and suffering through various forms of persecution: imprisonment, beatings and rejection. He spoke from the wisdom of his own experiences and exemplified the transforming power of God’s ability to turn any mess into a message.

Paul encouraged believers to embrace God’s promise that He can use all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose, not only for God’s good, but also our own.

Regardless of how difficult our pasts are, as children of God we have a commonality in Christ Jesus our Savior: God will use for good what the devil intended for evil. When we allow God to use our pain for a purpose that glorifies Him and ministers to others, we enjoy the blessing of spiritual healing and transformation like never before.

No matter how different our prior experiences, we can still have one precious thing in common. We can each choose to live as proof of the power of Jesus to change a life. All things truly can be used for the good of those called by Him.

Lord, I’ve always felt I couldn’t be fully loved or forgiven because of my past and that maybe You had no purpose for me. Help me embrace the promise of Romans 8:28 — of Your love and plans for my life. Help me discover the amazing purpose You’ve ordained just for me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” (NLT)

Jeremiah 1:5, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (NIV)

RELATED RESOURCES:
Ever wondered about your value to God, and if God could really use you for a divine purpose? Get your copy of Your Life Still Counts by Tracie Miles and embark on a journey of healing, life transformation and the discovery of purpose.

To help you remember Romans 8:1 every morning and how precious you are to God, Tracie is giving away two Your Life Still Counts Keepsake Coffee Mugs to enjoy your favorite beverage during your quiet time or prayer time. Visit her blog for a picture of the mugs and find out how to enter to win!

REFLECT AND RESPOND:
What has happened in your life that made you feel unworthy of God’s love? Surrender those things to God and pray for a new perspective, peace and purpose.

How has God used a difficult experience in your past to equip you to minister, help or comfort others in a special way?

© 2015 by Tracie Miles. All rights reserved.

Call to Me and I will answer you… Jeremiah 33:3

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I found this devotional at http://www.faithgateway.com/topics/devotionals/ and this really touched my heart since I deal with Meniere’s Disease. There are times when I have to remind myself to call on God to help me through my tough days. I am never in this fight alone.

Draw Near to God In Suffering
by Dr. Charles Stanley, Every Day in His Presence

Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know. — Jeremiah 33:3

At some point, we all wrestle with why God allows us to suffer and we wonder if it’s because He no longer loves us. But the truth is, some of the greatest lessons we ever learn come as the result of hardship. During those painful times, if we’ll cling to the Father, we’ll gain tremendous insight into His heart and mind.

Friend, when you experience trials, realize that God doesn’t want to hurt you (Lamentations 3:32-33). Rather, He has great things He wants to teach you — lessons that, unfortunately, can only be learned through sorrow (Hebrews 5:8). So when trouble strikes, be still and ask the Lord to show you what you can learn through the situation.

Your Savior is here — right now, right beside you.

Your loving heavenly Father is beckoning to you, asking you to draw near and learn His ways. So call on Him. He will answer you. And He will teach you great and mighty things that you need to know.

Father, what would You have me learn through my heartache? Teach me, my Lord — I am listening. Amen.

In His presence… call to Him and expect Him to answer.

Excerpted with permission from the Every Day in His Presence by Dr. Charles F. Stanley, copyright Thomas Nelson.

Do Not Be Afraid. Genesis 26:24

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Do Not Be Afraid! Be Courageous! God Is With You!
by Jenni Catron, Clout
Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear. – Mark Twain

Brian is an incredibly smart, strong, and confident individual. With a decade of tenure at his company, a robust staff, and the experience and knowledge to substantiate his value to the organization, Brian seemingly had nothing to fear. He was next in line for the executive suite. On the outside looking in, you would assume that Brian was completely confident.

He knew how to create a polished exterior that projected self-assurance. Brian and I worked down the hall from each other. It never occurred to me to ask him if he ever wrestled with fear until the day he was handed the pink slip and ushered out the door. In a struggling economy, the company he was loyal to couldn’t be loyal to him.

Over lunch a few weeks later, I probed a bit: “Did you see this coming?” His response was casual but measured: “I always feared it could happen. Not because I wasn’t performing but because I’ve always lived with a fear that I’m not enough. I’ve always had an underlying fear that someday I wouldn’t be enough. I would make one too many mistakes. I’d miss an important detail. But I didn’t expect to be dismissed this way. It makes me question, why wasn’t I valuable enough to keep?”

Brian’s fears and questions are significant. They represent an underlying tension that challenges our clout every day. Am I enough?

The question is overwhelming because of the numerous fears that underlie it. Our fears are so diverse and so extreme that we’re more apt to avoid and ignore them rather than acknowledge that they’re there.

Fear is the front-runner of the clout killers. As we begin to unpack these inhibitors to our confidence and influence, we’ll see a consistent theme of fear. Fear tends to coerce its tentacles into all our issues. We fear that who we are is not enough, so we deal with jealousy. We fear not having enough, so we live out of scarcity. We fear not being good enough, so we live with insecurity.

We fear not being strong enough, so we cover it up with pride. We fear not measuring up to others, so we wrestle with comparison. We fear chaos, so we grapple for control. This fear that we can’t handle it, that we’re not enough, rings true in each of these enemies that impact our influence. What we’ll discover is that our greatest fear is true, but there is an even greater truth to replace it.

Do Not Be Afraid

You don’t have to be afraid. Easier said than done, right? Again and again in the Bible God told His children not to be afraid.

Through a vision, God said,

Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. – Genesis 15:1

When Hagar and her son Ishmael were banished from Abraham’s land, an angel told Hagar,

Do not be afraid; God has heard. – Genesis 21:17

When Isaac was expelled from his land by the Philistines and forced to move from place to place, God appeared to him and reminded him,

Do not be afraid, for I am with you. – Genesis 26:24

When Jacob was fearful of traveling in his old age, God told him,

Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation. – Genesis 46:3

Numerous times Moses reminded the Israelites not to be afraid because God was with them and would fight for them. And after Moses’ death, God made the same commitment to Joshua as he encouraged him 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

From David to Elijah, from Isaiah to Jeremiah, God continuously reminded his people not to fear. When Joseph considered canceling his engagement to Mary, an angel appeared to him, telling him not to be afraid (Matthew 1:19-20). When Jesus charged the twelve disciples with their responsibility, He told them not to be afraid of those who would seek to harm them for proclaiming the truth (Matthew 10:26-28). From the women gathering at the empty tomb to the disciples seeing the resurrected Jesus, the message was the same: do not be afraid (Matthew 28:5, Matthew 28:10).

In every instance, people faced legitimate fears. But each time God’s message remained consistent. It seems God understood that we would wrestle with fear.

This devotional was taken from http://www.faithgateway.com/topics/devotionals/