Category Archives: Fear & Doubt

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May 10, 2014

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Fear & Doubt, Fruit of the Spirit, Nature, Trusting God

Nothing to Fear

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. [Joshua 1:9 (NLT)] 

As I started out for a walk the other evening, my neighbor stopped me. A bear had just been sighted at the end of our street, checking out the garbage cans and fishing in the canal. I did what any sensible person would and went back inside! God may tell us we have nothing to fear if we trust him, but he doesn’t tell us to be reckless or foolhardy.

If there are still things which we as sensible Christians should fear, what is it that we don’t need to fear? We never have to fear not being up to a task if it is task given to us by God. With God’s power, we never have to fear not being good enough, rich enough, smart enough, pretty enough, or worthy enough. We never have to fear being rejected or unloved. We are His and He loves us unconditionally. We never have to fear being abandoned or facing the unknown because we are never alone; He is always with us. We never have to fear being too weak because the Holy Spirit will give us the strength to withstand whatever Satan throws at us.

I don’t walk in dangerous neighborhoods or flash wads of money around in a crowd and I certainly don’t walk with bears. I do, however, walk with God and, because I walk with Him, I have nothing to fear.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. [2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)]

 

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May 7, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, Fear & Doubt, Prayer, Trusting God

Trusting Him

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. [1 Corinthians 4:20 (NLT)]

Last week, I had a meltdown in the grocery store. I stood in an aisle and quietly cried. The tears had absolutely nothing to do with the frustration of not finding what I wanted in a strange store; they had everything to do with not trusting God. I’d made the mistake many of us Christians do of “talking the talk” but not “walking the walk.” I speak and write a great deal about trusting God but I’m nowhere near as good about giving up control and truly putting myself and those I care for into his loving hands!

Let me back up a bit. In the space of a few days, my husband went from the onset of symptoms to tests and diagnosis to a finding that surgery is necessary. Scheduled later today, the surgery is microscopic and the prognosis is excellent. Nevertheless, this puts a “monkey wrench” into our plans for the next month or so. As we left the doctor’s office last Thursday, we started planning and rescheduling and reorganizing our lives. We said all the right things about having faith and trusting God and even thanked Him for good medical care. But, I mistook acting calm and trusting for being calm and trusting. As I got busy rewriting our calendars and making new arrangements, I forgot the most important thing: prayer! Oh, I’d said my usual prayers and even added my husband to my prayer list but I hadn’t really talked with God about my fears and all of the “what ifs” that were racing around in the back of my mind. That’s what the tears were about in the middle of the store. I finally had to admit that while I could take charge of changing appointments on our calendar, I couldn’t take charge of my husband’s health and the future. I had to truly turn it all over to God and trust him fully with our tomorrows.

O Lord, thank you for the challenges of life and the lessons they bring. Forgive us when we act like we’re the ones in charge. We hand you all our worries and fears, trusting that you will enable us to handle whatever the future brings.

Perhaps what our Father would have us learn is that worry is not for Him to take away, but for us to give up. [From “Vital Signs” by Kathy Herman]

But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, “You are my God!” My future is in your hands. [Psalm 31:14-15a (NLT)]

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March 30, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, Fear & Doubt, Trusting God, Wisdom & Guidance

He Bails Us Out

When people’s steps follow the Lord, God is pleased with their way. If they stumble, they will not fall, because the Lord holds their hand. [Psalm 37:23-24 (NCV)]

A few seconds into my ascent of a steep Mayan pyramid, I realized I was going to be in trouble. Foolishly (and out of pride), I barged ahead. I knew the scramble up the steep rocks wouldn’t be the hard part for me; it would be the trip back down. I’m fearful of heights and the descent necessitated facing outward and seeing the steepness and height! I easily made it to the peak. The magnificent view took my breath away, not because of its beauty, but because of my fear of the return trip. As I neared the edge to make my descent, I felt the panic begin. I had gotten myself into this predicament but how was I ever going to get out of it? “One step at a time,” was His answer. God held my hand as I slowly sidestepped down the huge blocks of stone. Whenever I paused to look up to see how far I’d come or down to see how far I had to go, I would panic again. The pyramid seemed to get bigger and steeper with every step; I felt like I wasn’t getting any closer to the bottom. “Just keep going, you’ll get there eventually,” were the reassuring words I heard. So, I prayed, trusted God and took it one step at a time. I was okay, not happy, but okay. In fact, in spite of my fear, I found myself encouraging other hesitant climbers.

In our lives, we often charge ahead, knowing full well that we’re likely to end up in trouble. Over and over again, Lord, you have to bail us out of difficult situations. Thank you for being there; forgive us our foolishness when we should know better! Give us sense enough to recognize the difference between expanding our horizons and being fool-hardy or downright stupid! Thank you for holding our hands and guiding us back to safety, one step at a time. When we feel we’re not progressing, thank you, Lord, for making your presence known and urging us on. As you reassure us, thank you, Lord, for enabling us to encourage others we meet along the way.

See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. [Psalm 12:2 (NLT)]

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March 18, 2014

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Challenges & Difficulty, Faith & Hope, Fear & Doubt, God's Promises

Shine, Jesus, Shine

Later, Jesus talked to the people again, saying, “I am the light of the world. The person who follows me will never live in darkness but will have the light that gives life.” [John 8:12 (NCV)]

Oh Lord, sometimes our lives turn bleak and gloomy; the dark shadows of distress and futility hinder our view of you. Shine your light on us. Open our eyes. Help us to see you in the darkness of fear, sadness and discouragement. Free us from our prisons of despair!

You will help the blind to see. You will free those who are in prison, and you will lead those who live in darkness out of their prison. [Isaiah 42:7 (NCV)]

“Shine, Jesus, Shine” by Graham Kendrickpainted lady (american lady) -CLIL58-1WEB

 Lord, the light of your love is shining,
In the midst of the darkness, shining.
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us.
Set us free by the truth you now bring us.
Shine on me, shine on me.

Lord, I come to your awesome presence,
From the shadows into your radiance.
By the blood I may enter your brightness.
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness.
Shine on me, shine on me.

Shine, Jesus, shine;
Fill this land with the Father’s glory.
Blaze, Spirit, blaze;
Set out hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow;
Flood the nations with grace and mercy.
Send forth your Word, Lord,
And let there be light.

 

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March 10, 2014

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Bible Stories, Fear & Doubt, God's Plan, Obedience, Trusting God

What Chutzpah!

The angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon and said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior!” Then Gideon said, “Sir, if the Lord is with us, why are we having so much trouble? Where are the miracles our ancestors told us he did when the Lord brought them out of Egypt? But now he has left us and has handed us over to the Midianites.” [Judges 6:1 (NCV)]

If we need an example of real chutzpah, it would be Gideon. When the angel of the Lord appeared before Gideon, instead of kneeling before him in awe, Gideon had the insolence to immediately complain about his troubles. When the Lord told Gideon he would be the one to save his people, Gideon tried to weasel his way out of it by pointing out that he was the least of the least. When the Lord reassured him, Gideon asked for proof that he was really speaking with God. Once satisfied, Gideon did as he was told and pulled down his father’s altar of Baal and cut down the Asherah idol. He then gathered an army to do battle with the Midianites. Gideon, however, continued to doubt God and had the audacity to demand that God pass not one, but two, more tests again. Now that’s chutzpah!

Are we so different from Gideon? When God speaks to us, do we recognize his voice? Instead of praising and thanking him, do we complain when life doesn’t go well? When He gives us an undertaking, do we try to get out of it by listing all of the reasons we can’t do it? Most of us use every excuse in the book to convince God we’re not up to whatever task he gives us. Once convinced the mission is from God and that we are capable, do we still have misgivings and question His way?

Father, forgive us when we doubt you, your message and your power. You’ve proven yourself to us countless times; don’t let us doubt you. Reassure us that we are, indeed, capable of great things when you are the one sending us.

The Lord turned to Gideon and said, “Go with your strength and save Israel from the Midianites. I am the one who is sending you.” [Judges 6:14 (NCV)]

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July 26, 2013

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Challenges & Difficulty, Fear & Doubt, God's Promises, Trusting God

HE IS FAITHFUL IN HIS WORDS

God always does what he says, and is gracious in everything he does. God gives a hand to those down on their luck, gives a fresh start to those ready to quit. [Psalm 145:13b-14 (MSG)]

Lord, sometimes, when we’re in the midst of turmoil, pain or sorrow, we find it difficult to feel your love or see your kindness. When we falter in our faith, forgive us; don’t let us quit believing in you. Please reassure us of your presence and help us see your hand in all that happens. Help us believe your promises.