Fear

 

Fear. We all have dealt with it in one way or another. Sometimes we face obstacles daily in life that cause us fear. I like to look at Fear with this acronym:

F- facing     E- every    A-adversity    R- relentlessly

When I look at fear in this way, it reminds me that I should look at the situation that is causing me to feel fear and then pull apart the reasons why I am feeling that way. Here is an example: The other day I was in my car and a song came on the radio. The song immediately reminded me of a circumstance that I have been dealing with for a long season. The more I tried to push those thoughts out of my mind, the more fear built up inside of me. Changing the station, which seemed like the quickest fix, did no justice. Before I knew it, the thoughts led to a fear that was overtaking all parts of my body. As soon as I arrived at my destination, I sat in my car and cried. In that split moment, I told myself to tackle the feeling of fear and get to the root. I slowed my breathing and started to pray for clarity and direction. I was able to pull apart the "why" I was afraid. It became evident that the fear I was facing was due to the uncertainty of the end result of the circumstance. There were many outcomes to consider (somewhat like the doors on the Price Is Right).  I began to look at those doors as adventures instead of problems or outcomes that were less appealing. One by one I opened each door and examined it closely. In doing so, I was able to reason with my thoughts of fear and then close the door once I was in a good place. I narrowed it down to the most likely result and felt enormous peace afterwards. I walked through F.E.A.R. I did not allow it to stop me. And you know what? That circumstance passed by and was handled with grace and strength.

It is not an easy thing to do. Picking apart our thoughts to take them captive unto Christ is a conscious effort. (2 Corinthians 10:5) But, once we do, the peace that surpasses our understanding will cover us and engulf us. The best weapon to fight fear with would be prayer. It shifts our mind to the One who can help. 

There are many Scriptures about fear and how to overcome it. If you are battling fear, I encourage you to grab your Bible or Google search what the Bible says about fear. Write a few of those verses on index cards and keep them accessible. I have some in my car for those times like I mentioned in the above example. You may find it best to tape them to a wall, door or mirror. Read them daily. Sometimes multiple times a day. As you read them allow those words to penetrate the parts of you that are battling with fear. Imagine a healing salve washing over those thoughts, healing each one at its core. Take a deep breath and let it go. 

What fear(s) are you facing today? What verses can you find in God's Word that will help you during the battle? Spend some time writing them down and meditating on each one.

" This Little Light of Mine"

We all know the song; we have it ingrained in our heads since we were young. " This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Hide it under a basket, NO! I'm gonna let it shine..." The song goes on to say won't let Satan blow it out and so on, but do we allow him to?

If we really examine this song's lyrics we will see that we are to shine in the world and not let the enemy blow out our flame. Easier said then done, right? I mean, how many of us wake up in the morning, do our devotion, listen to worship, etc. and then we get in the car to drive to work. (Dun, Dun, Dun) We turn into more like a raging fire than a sweet little light bringing the Good News of Jesus into the world. lol. It takes one person to cut us off, or someone to stay stopped at the green light, or someone to have their turn signal on for the wrong direction than they turn, etc. and watch out! Our once ever joyful song has left us feeling unraveled. I have been there before, have you?

We are not called to be perfect. I believe too many labels have been placed on Christians that we are to live this perfect life, free from human character. I see a different message in the Word. I see a message that says we are all broken people needing a Perfect Savior to dwell within us each and every day. I see a message that says, " Hey, you will mess up because you are human, but I ( Christ) came to save the world. I (Christ) came to restore the broken, heal the wounded, walk with the desolate." The list of why He came to Earth states its not for the perfect people at all. He does command us to love one another and by our love they will know He is alive and in us.

So, practically speaking, how do we shine? Are we a small dim candle in the corner or a blaring spot light. What kind of impact are we/am I making on my community? On my unsaved friends? On my family? I won't always get it right, and that's OK.

Look for opportunities to shine his message of Hope and Encouragement to those you encounter. For example, when you are checking out at the register at a store, ask the cashier how they are doing and really listen. I did this today at a coffee shop and the drive-thru clerk said he was mad and wanted to tell off his boss. WHOA! I wasn't expecting that, but Jesus was. So, I listened to him and afterwards I told him I would pray for him. You know what happened next? He smiled. He said thank you and that made his day. The Gospel doesn't have to be beaten over people's heads. It is most effective in the small everyday happenings of life.

When at the grocery store, ask the cashier what his favorite candy or snack is and buy it for him in the Name of Jesus. Tell him how much Jesus loves him. My sons and I have done this many times and the blessing of seeing people's faces "light" up is amazing. The world is hurting, and they need our small and not so small acts of kindness.

Whatever you decide to do, shine. Shine brightly, for His News is Great and Everlasting News. You may not always get it right, and again, that's OK. Jesus sees your heart and knows your inmost parts.

Let's get out there and illuminate a very dark and hurting world.

Write down 5 things you can do to shine the light of hope in your world. Make it a point to do one of these acts every day, every week, every month or every year. Your light can change someone's life forever.

-Lena

What are you waiting for?

What Are you Waiting For?

Those five simple words can spark a lot of emotion. When we hear those words we can be moved by anger or by perseverance. Now, it all depends on the situation at hand and how these words are spoken. Many times, we often hear those words in our head, but more often than not, we don't follow-through with the answer.

"What are you waiting for?" Is it a new job, car, home, child, miracle... In different seasons of life we are waiting for different things. Today, I would like to talk about what we do in the "wait" time.

There are countless Scriptures in the Bible that teach us how we should wait. Here are a few:

Psa 5:3
Psa 27:14
Psa 33:20
Psa 37:7
Psa 38:15

And here is my favorite one: "but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isa 40:31.

We are instructed countless times in His Word that we wait in hope, trust, faith and patience. There are many times the season of waiting does not feel like a season any longer but more of a lifestyle. As your heart grows burdened by what seems to be a silence from God, turn to His promises in the Word and remember He is good, and His timing is perfect.

God's plan for you is a perfect plan. It will not always be pleasant, but it will always be perfect. We have to trust with a faith unseen that he is working out the details of our circumstance, and in His perfect time He will answer us in our "wait."

It's not always easy, not always fun, but when we wait on The Author and Perfecter of our Faith, His will ends up being better for us than we could have ever hoped for or imagined. Eph. 3:20

As He faithfully answers, journal or write down the verses He leads you too. I will write down verses on index cards and while I am "waiting" on an answer from Him, I will meditate and pray over these Scriptures. When I do that a peace will flood into my heart, helping me wait with patience.

My prayer for you and I today is that we would fully turn over our "waiting for" to the Lord and wholeheartedly wait in great expectation for His answer; and when His answer comes-albeit a "yes" or "no" or a "not yet" that we would continue to trust in His plan for our life. 

Take some time to today to write down what you are waiting for and the things you can do in the "holding period".

In Him,
Lena

Hope in the Storm

Hope in the Storm

Have you ever watched a storm form? The once painted pastels of blues, purples and pinks of the sky suddenly become a whirl of blacks, grays and even greens. The clouds roll in, the streaks of lightning flash and the thunder rattles your home. Before you know it, the torrential down-pour begins. How did that happen so quickly, you may have wondered. Believe me, there have been times I was at the beach with my sons and within minutes we were sprinting to the car! A storm can happen at any time.

Thinking about the earthly storms of nature, I often times relate this to seasons in my own life. I can be joyful, peppy and encouraged and then, WHAM! Out of left field comes a storm. A life event. "Where on earth did that come from?" Suddenly, I am swept up in a hurricane of emotions. My once happy countenance changes to sullen or sunken. Just.like.that. When this happens, I try to remember and think of Scriptures in the Word of God that can remind me to be joyful in all circumstances. I will look for Worship songs to help me break my mood. But, often times I find myself trying to deal with the storm itself, and not the underlying issue(s) at hand that caused me such grief.

In the storm, I will not allow my emotions to rule me. When I do this, my attitude, my frustration and hurt will be projected onto others. I sometimes do not even realize that I am doing it, but I am. 

So, how can I, can we, walk through these storms of life ( and they will come) without allowing the storm to rule us? How can we be unmoved?

I do not have this mastered, believe me. But, a few simple things I try to do when the storms come helps me keep my emotions stable when everything around me is swirling.

1. Take a deep breath- Yes, I mean it. I do it. Many times. Breathing deeply is a wonderful way to release the stress of what I am feeling. I will close my eyes and take a few deep breaths and as I do this, I am praying.
2. Pray- I will pray either silently or aloud ( aloud if I am alone) asking Jesus to calm my storm within. It may not change the situation at hand, but it will change how I react to it.
3. Rationalize and Compartmentalize- I will take my emotional hat off and look at the situation through His eyes. Then, I sort through my feelings, the situation, etc. and begin to deal with each one separately instead of allowing a big ball of emotions to form.
4. Trust-that the Lord has this. Whatever storm it is, He has promised He will walk with you through it. He will be there by your side ( or carry you) every step of the way. He encourages us in His Word that "He will never leave or forsake us." I cling to that promise and trust that whatever storm of life I am in, He is in it with me.
5. Read-His Word. I cannot begin to even express to you the POWER that rests in His Word. When I am facing the giants in my storm, I know I cannot face them alone. His Word is sharper than any two-edged sword. These little fists can never, ever accomplish what He can. I dive deeply into verses I may have on index cards-open a Bible Study I am presently a part of, or open the Bible and ask Him to reveal Himself to me in my moment.

Now, I know what you may be thinking...you may even say, " These steps are great on paper, but how practical are they?" I will tell you that it can be done. I have done this numerous times and comparing the above steps to me just handling it on my own...a vast difference. When I stop, pray, think, trust and read His Word I am a different woman. I handle things very differently. Not in fleshly emotion, but in a way that benefits my spiritual and overall health and the well-being of others. It takes practice, and time. You may not remember to do it every time you are facing a storm....but trust me, when you begin to see the difference in how you respond vs. how He has you respond, you will quickly remember these steps.

Every storm of life we face, we face for a reason. Nothing, I mean nothing, happens in our life that doesn't pass the throne room of Christ. These storms are made to teach us valuable lessons and to draw us nearer to our Creator. As hard as the rain may fall, trust Him for His perfect plan in your life. " For I have plans for you, plans to prosper you...to give you a hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

I pray that as we all encounter these storms, that we will seek first the Kingdom of Christ and allow His Spirit to pour over us; settling the storm.

-Lena