Category: Fear

Following Through Despite How You Feel

Almost before he could walk, my son loved anything with wheels. He played with toy cars constantly and was naturally drawn to the world of professional auto racing from a very young age. As a pre-schooler, he dressed up as his favorite NASCAR driver for Halloween and by elementary school, he had most of the drivers’ names, car numbers, and sponsors memorized. Watching Sunday afternoon races on TV became a regular practice in our household. Although I’ve never sat through an entire race from start to finish, I’ve learned a few things about the sport. 

One of the key aspects of car racing is the use of colored flags to communicate to drivers and spectators. Most of us are familiar with the image of a black and white checkered flag that signals the end of a race and the declaration of a winner. I’ve learned there are many other colored flags during a NASCAR race that are used before that one however: a yellow flag means “caution” and indicates hazardous conditions, a red flag brings the race to a halt temporarily, and a green flag allows the race to resume. A black flag denotes a rule violation and means a driver must return to the pit and a white flag signals the last lap of the race. 

Much like those colored NASCAR flags, our feelings help us to interpret our surroundings and determine how to proceed. Unfortunately, however, our feelings aren’t always reliable. When we depend on them solely to make decisions, they may lead us astray. Like the colored flags, they tell us there is a reason to react, but often don’t equip us to handle the situation accurately. For example, we might not always “feel” like following through with a commitment we’ve made, but when we remember the reason we agreed to do it and recognize how God is using it, we push past our feelings and persevere. For this reason, we must filter our feelings through our minds and the Holy Spirit to determine how to proceed. Many times, we’ll discover we need to press on, despite how we feel.

Take the Old Testament character of Ruth, for example. In chapter 1 of Ruth, we learn that she’d lost her husband and had committed to travel to Judah with her grieving mother-in-law. As a Moabite, she chose to leave behind her homeland, culture, and family to stay with Naomi. She put her faith in the God of Israel and walked away from the idol-worship of her people. 

 Chapter 2 in the book of Ruth opens with the two returning to Naomi’s hometown of Bethlehem penniless and alone. As widows, they had no safety net and no obvious connection to family members who would look out for them.  So, Ruth made a practical decision for the sake of their survival:

“And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, ‘Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor’ …So she went out, entered a field and began to glean behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she was working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelek…Boaz asked the overseer of his harvesters, ‘Who does that young woman belong to?’ The overseer replied, ‘She is the Moabite who came back from Moab with Naomi. She said, “Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.” She came into the field and has remained here from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter.’

So Boaz said to Ruth, ‘My daughter, listen to me. Don’t go and glean in another field and don’t go away from here. Stay here with the women who work for me. Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the women. I have told the men not to lay a hand on you.’” (Ruth 2:2-9 abridged)

So, what feelings might Ruth have had to overcome to provide for herself and Naomi? 

Shame: Gleaning fields was for the poor and destitute. Ruth’s choice to do this meant putting aside her pride and accepting that she had descended to the bottom rung of society’s ladder.

Emotional Exhaustion: It’s likely that living with her bitter mother-in-law in poverty drained her emotionally, yet she pressed on to provide food for them.

Physical Exhaustion: Gleaning in the fields was probably back-breaking labor in the hot sun, yet the story tells us Ruth worked so hard she earned the respect of the hired hands and the the field owner, Boaz.

Grief: Ruth had lost her husband, left her homeland and parents, and was living as a pauper. Being relegated to do manual labor only added insult to injury. She could have wallowed in her emotional pain and used it as a reason to stop trying, but she didn’t.

Fear: The fact that Boaz told his men not to lay a hand on her hints that it was not uncommon for women in her positon to be used and abused by those who had more power. As a foreign woman alone, without ties to male relatives who could protect her, Ruth was incredibly vulnerable. She was easy prey for anyone that wanted to take advantage of her. Fear of being harmed could have been a reasonable excuse not to follow through with gleaning in the fields.

While it’s unlikely anyone reading this would find themselves in a similar situation to Ruth, there is much we can learn from her example. Take a moment to consider the role feelings typically play in your decision-making process. How often do you opt out of something because you just don’t feel like doing it? How often do you press on because you realize it’s worth it in the long run? Do you allow your emotions alone to guide your decisions or do you balance them with reason and intellect? Do you invite the Holy Spirit to help you interpret your feelings and to show you how to respond? Do you consult Scripture to access biblical wisdom?

Consider the words of the writer of Hebrews who gives us Jesus as the ultimate example to follow:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3, NIV)

Decide right now that you won’t let your emotions be your primary guide. Don’t ignore your feelings, but don’t let them be the only factor you consider when making decisions. Step back and look at the big picture. Consider God’s perspective and then decide the best way to proceed. In the long run, you’ll be more apt to wave that checkered flag of victory knowing you followed through despite how you felt.

Listen to Lauren Daigle’s song “Look Up Child” and be reminded where to fix your eyes when you’re tempted to let your emotions take the lead.

Nicki Koziarz, A Woman Who Doesn’t Quit, Lifeway Press, 2018.

God is With Us in Our Fears

Simple sayings like “Joy to the World” and “Peace on Earth” pop up everywhere during the holiday season. There is another phrase recorded multiple times in the Christmas story, but we rarely see it printed on cards or included in song lyrics: “Do not be afraid.” We often overlook the fear that is woven throughout the Christmas story, but on at least three separate occasions, angels addressed it with different characters—Joseph, Mary and the Shepherds. All of them received the same reassurance:

“But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.’”  (Matthew 1:20)

“But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.’” (Luke 1:30-31)

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’” (Luke 2:8-12)

Many of us don’t like talking about our fears, let alone admitting we have them at all. Yet, there is great freedom when we acknowledge them to God and remember that He is with us, just as He was with Joseph, Mary and the shepherds.  He’s always ready to trade our fears for His unparalleled hope, courage and peace. The command “do not be afraid,” is intended for us today as much as it was meant for those familiar characters in the nativity story.

Looking back, I see how God has revealed Himself to me during many fearful moments in my life. I’ve found comfort, courage and hope when I’ve given my fear to Him and have remembered that He is “Immanuel… God with us.” (Matthew 1:23) My most vivid memory of this happened during an especially difficult season in my life a little over a decade ago.

My Dad’s health had been deteriorating rapidly as he neared the final stages of a neurological disease that had slowly frozen the muscles in his body.  A fall at home had landed him in the hospital and shortly after, he’d been transferred to a skilled nursing facility. Although he was slated to “rehabilitate” from a bruised hip bone, we all knew he was in his final days.

Because my dad’s disease was so advanced, he needed one-on-one care beyond what the facility could provide. While we figured out what to do, family members had to take shifts watching over him. One of my brothers had stayed with him the first night while we scrambled to make longer term plans. Standing at the foot of my dad’s bed the second night, my stomach lurched when I realized it made the most sense for me to take the next shift. Fear gripped me even as the words tumbled out of my mouth, “I’ll stay with Dad tonight.”

After saying goodbye to my family and sharing a quick prayer in the parking lot with my husband, I steeled myself for the night ahead. I had to confront my fear head on, there was no way around it. Although the facility’s staff was just down the hall, I fretted that I wouldn’t know what to do if something went wrong with my dad in such a fragile state. Instead of letting fear paralyze me, I opened my Bible and began reading different sections aloud. Favorite passages took on deeper meaning under the circumstances. I’ll never forget reading this prayer to him:

“On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:6-8)

After reading several more passages and praying with my dad, I turned out the lights and tried to settle into the chair next to his bed. Listening to the rattle of his irregular breathing kept me from drifting off, so I continued to pray silently. As the evening unfolded, I had a first-hand experience with the words of the psalm, clinging to God and letting His Word encourage me. I trusted that His right hand was upholding us and drew courage from that. I took comfort knowing my dad and I were sheltered in the shadow of His wings. The Lord’s presence in the room was palpable.

What could have been a horrific night for me turned out to be one of the most sacred I’ve experienced. Knowing God was present, I leaned into Him and entrusted Him with my fear, which allowed me to experience His nearness in a way I never had before.

I wonder if it was similar for the Shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth. What could have been a terrifying experience became a holy moment because they trusted God’s words delivered by the angels, “Do not be afraid.” Instead of backing away and avoiding their fear, they listened and acted on what they’d been told:

 “When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” (Luke 2:15-18)

Think of what they would have missed if they’d shrunk back in fear when the angels proclaimed the Messiah’s birth. I know what I would’ve missed if I’d refused to stay with my dad or hadn’t invited God into the room that night.

Any time we face our fears and trust the Lord to walk with us through them, we open ourselves to seeing Him work in mighty ways. Will you let your fears paralyze you, or will you face them knowing He is with you? Let the chorus of Josh Baldwin’s song “Stand in Your Love” give you courage today.

All Scriptures quoted from the New International Version.

Defiant Thankfulness

Smoke hangs thickly in the air, making my throat dry and my eyes burn. Looking out my kitchen window, I can’t even see the outline of the hills across town that are usually in plain view.  An enormous wildfire rages about 150 miles from my home, but its effects can be detected all around us. People seem heavy hearted, both from the stifling air and the sadness of knowing so many lives and homes have been lost.

And yet, the holiday season is fast approaching. A few days ago I pushed my cart through a store as an employee loaded plump turkeys into a refrigerated display. It feels paradoxical to be preparing for Thanksgiving when there is so much grief and sadness in our world. And yet, expressing thankfulness in times of distress is exactly what the Bible calls us to do.

Throughout the Psalms, we see laments followed by thanksgiving and praise. One of my favorites says, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:5 NIV)

I love the resolve of the downcast Psalmist who says, “I will yet praise him.” It takes effort and intentionality to look beyond our difficult circumstances and to praise God anyway. But the act of giving Him thanks causes us to remember His faithfulness and to rest assured that He’s still in control. The Psalmist didn’t wait until his situation was resolved, but thanked God in the midst of his troubles. He didn’t know how the circumstances would turn out, but he knew he served a good God who deserved praise and thanksgiving, no matter what.

I think there’s a lesson for us in our own trials. Smoky air may obscure my view of the mountains, but it doesn’t mean the mountains have ceased to exist. Similarly, there are seasons in life when God feels far away, when His plans and purposes seem veiled. When we’re not careful, we can let those feelings alter our perception. Fear, uncertainty, or bitterness may cloud our vision and cause us to think He’s not there for us, even though His Word promises He will never leave us or forsake us.

If you’re in a season of personal discouragement or fretting over the latest string of tragedies in our world, it’s time to draw near to God with a thankful heart. Author and teacher Lysa TerKeurst suggests using the following prayer strategy when you’re struggling through a dark time and need God to shed His light on it:

  1. Thank God for the prayers that have already been answered about the situation. Pay attention to small changes and things you might have taken for granted.
  2. Thank God for the strength you (and others) are gaining in the process. Thank Him for each time you’ve gone to Him to shed light on your situation. Thank Him for trading your struggle for His strength.
  3. Thank God for the reality that a black hole isn’t a black whole. The whole isn’t all bad—there are still some good things happening despite the hard ones. Thank Him for specific things going on in your life or in the world around you that are still good.*

Turning our laments into prayers of Thanksgiving reminds us of God’s goodness and enables us to reaffirm our trust in Him. When we trade our struggles and fears for His strength and hope, our minds are renewed and our spirits are rejuvenated. I’ve found this to be true personally as I’ve journaled prayers using Lysa’s strategy. Over the past few months it has given me clear direction for praying through specific challenges in my life.

This Thanksgiving, stand firm in the face of hopelessness and discouragement. Instead of focusing on what’s wrong in your life or in the world, boldly proclaim, “I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

Listen to Ellie Holcomb’s song “Find You Here” and make it your prayer of defiant thankfulness in spite of difficult times.

*The three points above are adapted from Lysa TerKeurst’s Finding I Am: How Jesus Fully Satisfies the Cry of Your Heart, Lifeway Press 2017, page 59.

Faith and Fear Make Bad Roommates

We’re in that transitional season between spring and summer. Many college kids, including my son, have wrapped up finals and are returning home for a few months. I love bumping into students I know around town and hearing about their experiences during the first year away. Usually, one of the questions I ask them is, “How was your roommate?” The answer to that question gives a brief sketch of the triumphs and troubles they experienced out on their own.

Most of us can vividly remember a roommate or two from an earlier season in life. If my memory serves me correctly, I had ten different ones between the time I graduated from high school and got married. Some became amazing friends with whom I still have relationships. Others provided me with opportunities to practice patience and to give grace. (That’s putting a positive spin on some of the less than ideal roommates I had–I’m sure a few of them could tell stories about me too.) Having a few challenging roommate experiences is a rite of passage as we move towards adulthood, isn’t it?

For most of us, the constantly changing living situations of early adulthood eventually fade as we establish more permanent residences. But even if we’ve lived with the same person for many years, there are still “roommates” that rotate in and out of our lives. Only now, most of them reside in our minds and hearts and influence our thought patterns. Many of them create significant internal conflict as they battle for space in our souls. Two prominent ones are faith and fear.

Here’s how Bible teacher Beth Moore describes these competing metaphorical roommates: “Biblically speaking, fear and faith fight for the same space. Each is territorial….think in terms of your soul being a house and Fear and Faith are knocking at your door. Each desires to occupy expansive square footage in the house of your soul…Any square foot or inch where Fear abides in your life is the precise ground Faith exists to occupy. Fear and faith cannot be roommates. They will not coexist. The one assigned authority automatically elbows the other off the space.” (Beth Moore The Quest pages 33-34)

For many of us, fearful thinking is our natural default mode. It requires intentional effort to trust God and cling to our faith in Him when life throws us curve balls. “If you can find your fear, you can always know where to send your faith. No, faith is not as easy to come by as fear, but it is colossally easier to live with. What faith costs you in tenacity, fear up-charges you in misery.” (Beth Moore, The Quest, p. 34)

I recognized the truth of Beth’s words recently when my husband and I were on a walk discussing a difficult situation in our family. The conversation turned to speculating about how the future would unfold with the challenges we were facing. The scenarios we began painting were not pretty and I soon found myself gripped with fear. At that moment, the Holy Spirit pulled me back into the present and reminded me of His faithfulness. My husband and I don’t know what will transpire, but we can trust that God will be with us no matter how it unfolds. Fear had to be ushered out so that faith could take center stage again.

More than anyone else, Jesus understands the battle between faith and fear. Mark 4:35-41 tells the story of Jesus and His disciples crossing the Sea of Galilee when a furious squall threatens to swamp their boat. After the frightened disciples awaken Him from a nap and He calms the storm, Jesus says, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:40, NIV) That question makes me squirm uncomfortably when I think of the different “storms” I’m facing that cause fear to wash over me.

Maybe Jesus’ question convicts you too. The point isn’t to make us feel bad, but to show us that fear and faith are opposites that can’t share mental space in our lives. We need to strive to let faith occupy more real estate in our minds than fear. That’s why I cling to Jesus’ reassuring words, “Peace 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.” (John 14:27, NIV)

The lyrics to “Cast My Cares” by Finding Favour have been playing regularly in my mind over the past few weeks. As you listen, let the words reassure you and remind you to focus on God’s faithfulness instead of your fears.

Beth Moore, The Quest: An Excursion Toward intimacy with God, Lifeway Press, 2017.

Not Ashamed (or Embarrassed)

The satisfying crack of the ball meeting the bat brought us to our feet cheering. Watching countless little league games over the years had taught the parents in the stands to make the most of the few moments of excitement. If you’ve ever watched kids play baseball, you know what I’m talking about. There is a lot of sitting and waiting between isolated flurries of activity.

Each year my boys played, we waited with anticipation to see who would be on the team—it was always nice to spend those long hours in the bleachers and the dugout with people we enjoyed. Often, we’d get to know families well through the overlaps we had in school, sports, and the neighborhood. I still remember one team my younger son played on many years ago. I’d usually sit in the stands with the same two or three moms and we’d pass the hours chatting about a variety of topics.

One conversation that season stands out above all the others. A mom I’d been sitting with regularly turned to me one afternoon and said, “Ya know, I don’t usually like churchy people, but for some reason I like you.” I was taken aback, not sure if I’d just been complimented or criticized. I don’t even remember what prompted the comment, but I decided to assume she meant to affirm me, so I laughed and retorted, “Why don’t you usually like churchy people?” She spent the next several minutes describing a variety of negative experiences she’d had with Christians throughout her childhood and on into adulthood. She was okay with God in general, but didn’t care much for the people who followed Him. Instead of getting defensive, I just listened and empathized with the hurt she’d experienced.

I’ve spent most of my life in secular settings—I went to public schools from Kindergarten through graduate school. I taught in a secular high school and we intentionally placed our kids in public schools as well. And what I’ve noticed is that many people don’t see Christians in a positive light. There is the occasional exception, but the general attitude I’ve encountered time and time again is that people see Christians as judgmental, self-righteous and hypocritical. Between stereotypes they see in the media and negative personal encounters, many people think Christians have oppressive morality and narrow-minded views. It’s enough to make any follower of Jesus be tempted to keep their faith hidden and silent.

And yet, in his second letter to Timothy, Paul urges Timothy (and all believers) not to be ashamed of the gospel. Beth Moore explains, “We live in a culture where Christianity is plummeting in popularity and where we, instead of Satan, are touted as the enemy.” (Entrusted, p. 62)

We don’t ever need to be ashamed or embarrassed about living according to God’s standards laid out for us in the Bible. Just as Paul encouraged Timothy to guard the deposit of faith entrusted to him, we must pursue the Lord consistently and remember that His ways bring good into our lives and into the world.

Paul gives some clear instructions for how to live a godly life that differs from a worldly one:

“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (2 Tim 2:22-26)

Although nonbelievers may balk at our choice to be different, they can still experience our gentleness and love, which can create opportunities to share more about our faith. The unusual way we live may cause some people to write us off, but others will be intrigued. As they move past negative stereotypes and get to know us, they’ll learn about the foundation we have that remains firm amidst the ever-changing standards of the world.

People are always in process and even those who seem repelled by faith have the capacity to change when they see integrity and authenticity over the long haul. A case in point is my friend from the bleachers years ago. I still bump into her from time to time and am amazed to see that God continues to place Christians (aka “churchy people”) in her path. I’ve seen Him soften her heart and enable her to discover many positive aspects of the Christian faith that she didn’t recognize before.  It’s been a slow journey, but she is moving past her negative experiences and finding herself drawn to others with genuine faith who are pointing her toward God. If I’d been embarrassed by her comments on the bleachers, I would have missed the opportunity to engage her in conversation and to move her one step closer to seeing that Christians aren’t perfect, they are just forgiven people trying to navigate life in a broken world.

Click on the link and celebrate this idea with “Lift My Life Up” by Unspoken.

Beth Moore, Entrusted: A Study of 2 Timothy, Lifeway Press, 2016.

 

Faith Foundation #9: Trust Brings Peace

Digging in my paddle against the current, I pulled hard. Choppy water slapped against my board and threatened to topple me as the afternoon breeze gained force. What had started as a relaxing jaunt around the bay had quickly turned into a punishing workout. With my knees bent and my head low, I gritted my teeth to get through the most exposed part of the harbor. Between the large boats chugging by and the lack of protection from the wind, it felt a little like riding a scooter on the freeway. Rounding the final bend, the calmer waters between two islands finally came into view.  No matter how rough the main part of the harbor got, I could always count on easy paddling through that peaceful little channel.

It wasn’t long before I saw the connection between that experience and one of my favorite passages in the Bible: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” (Isaiah 26:3, NIV).  It took determination to paddle against the strong current toward calm water.  We need to use that same kind of steadfastness in our minds when we’re struggling for peace. Every moment our thoughts can draw us further towards it or further away from it, but a steadfast mind is resolute and unwavering. It isn’t deterred by the wind and waves of circumstances, nor is it overwhelmed by them. Trusting God enables us to see beyond our present situations to the One who is more powerful than the strongest current or the fiercest wind.

Over the past few weeks I’ve returned to this mental picture of the safe harbor many times as I’ve been preparing to launch my firstborn child to college. It is an intense season in our family on every level—physically, relationally, spiritually and emotionally. My heart aches as I think about my son being 1500 miles from home. The years have flown and it’s hard to believe our family  is transitioning into this new era. More than once I’ve felt like the waves of circumstances and emotions are going to topple me, but then I stop and picture that safe, calm channel.  I remind myself to remain steadfast in trusting God and I invite Him to soothe my aching heart.

Every season of life brings new challenges and new opportunities to trust God. If we rely on easy circumstances to be the source our peace, we’ll often find ourselves without it. But if we trust God, who sees a much bigger picture than we do, we can mentally stay in that safe harbor, no matter how hard the wind is blowing or how rough the water gets.  Learning to rely on Him takes practice, but it brings the only peace that can sustain us over the long haul.

In keeping with the water theme of this post, click on the link to be encouraged by Rend Collective’s song “My Lighthouse.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA8VtUPgqTc

And if you want to know what the storm in my mind looks like right now, click on the link to hear Nichole Nordeman’s song “Slow Down.” (Don’t watch it if you don’t have tissues handy or if you’re someplace where you don’t want to cry.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clcNB_EUao8

 

 

 

 

Facing Our Fear of Commitment

The sign hangs on the wall in our house as a reminder.  It reads, “Here I am, send me!” It’s a simple statement from Isaiah 6:8 that reminds us that whenever we leave home, we are being sent out by God to be His ambassadors. It expresses a willingness to be used by Him, wherever and whenever He chooses. Whether we are headed to an obviously “Christian” activity or not, our desire is to be a blessing and encouragement to those we encounter. Sometimes this happens informally, other times it means getting involved and making an ongoing commitment to serve in a ministry.

The word “commitment” is a scary one for many people. We’re intrigued by the idea that  God uses us to accomplish His purposes, but signing on to do it regularly sometimes feels daunting. I think these fears can be addressed and alleviated with some clarification from Scripture. With a change in focus, committing to serve becomes thrilling instead of frightening.

Fear #1: I’m Not Ready Yet

Look back at that verse from Isaiah quoted above. Only three verses earlier in Isaiah 6:5, Isaiah is lamenting that he is unclean and unworthy of being in God’s presence. Yet a few verses later, he enthusiastically agrees to be God’s message-bearer to the people after the Lord cleanses and equips him.  Isaiah’s willingness qualified him for the job.

Many of us sit on the sidelines missing out on what God wants to do in and through us because we don’t think we have what it takes.  We forget that the Lord will give us exactly what we need to serve Him, He won’t leave us hanging. God equips the called, He doesn’t call the equipped. But we have to make first step by being willing to commit.

Fear #2: I Don’t Have the Time

We live in a culture that celebrates busyness. For many of us, we find value and meaning from keeping a packed schedule.  We rarely take time to stop, pause, and make intentional decisions about where we do and don’t say “yes.” Because of this, we feel frantic and often miss opportunities to invest our time in the places that would most benefit ourselves, others, and our relationship with God.  However, when we make commitments based on God’s agenda instead of ours, we can feel confident about where we say “yes” and “no.” And just to be clear, this doesn’t mean only commitments with overtly “churchy” connections. God also uses secular commitments to help us grow, to connect with others, or to prepare us for future opportunities.

God never ceases to amaze me with the ways He multiplies my time when I ask Him (which is pretty often). He also helps me to recognize where my priorities are out of order.  Sometimes I make things important that really aren’t. When my agenda aligns with God’s, He gives me the time to serve Him and to accomplish the other things I need to get done.

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” (2 Peter 3:8, NIV)

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:33-34, NIV)

Fear #3: I Don’t Know Enough

With the encouragement of a trusted mentor, I started leading my first Bible study at the ripe-old age of nineteen. I’d had exposure to the Bible throughout my childhood, but was hardly confident planning lessons and leading others in discussions. But I was willing and I had some godly people who were further along in their faith to guide me.

One of the best parts about agreeing to serve in a pre-existing ministry is that there is a built-in support system for you. No one expects you to be a Bible scholar. Most ministries are looking for willing people and gladly provide the training and support you need to thrive.

For a biblical example, look at the story of Apollos in Acts 18. He was teaching and preaching the Scriptures accurately, but with an incomplete knowledge. Then a godly couple named Priscilla and Aquila pulled him aside and “explained the way of God more adequately.” Afterwards, he was a great help to the disciples in spreading the gospel. Like him, we can take what we know and let God use it. In addition, we can submit ourselves to the wisdom and teaching of those ahead of us on the journey.

Reject Fear, Reap a Harvest

Every follower of Jesus is called to share the gospel and to love and serve others. It’s up to us to determine where and how we’ll do that. Once you get beyond your fears, you’ll discover the thrill of being used by God. You’ll experience a sense of joy and fulfillment that will rejuvenate your spirit and cause your faith to grow exponentially.

All around me, I see ministries desperate for more help. I see Women’s Ministries groups longing to serve more women but being limited because they don’t have enough help in key leadership roles.  I see Children’s Ministries staff that would love to welcome more kids into their midst but are hindered by not having enough volunteers.  I see Student Ministries teams eager for more adults to pour into the spiritually hungry teens streaming through their doors. Each of these things reminds me of a familiar passage about Jesus in the gospels:

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’”  (Matthew 9:36-38, NIV)

Will you become one of the few workers in the field that experiences the joy of reaping a great harvest? If the idea of committing to serve feels way beyond you, then you’re in the right place. The sooner we learn it’s not about us and start depending on God, the more we can be used by Him. Click on the link and be inspired by TobyMac’s song “Beyond Me.” Then, pray and ask where God might be calling you to commit.

 

 

 

 

 

Connecting the Dots: 1 Peter 3:5-7

I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge, but I almost did when I saw this week’s topic in my Bible study. I won’t lie to you, it’s not easy material to swallow and it’s certainly not embraced by mainstream culture today.  Nonetheless, God’s Word contains eternal truth that transcends the many opinions about marriage that have come and gone over the centuries. Here’s what it says:

“This is how the holy women of old made themselves beautiful. They put their trust in God and accepted the authority of their husbands. For instance, Sarah obeyed her husband, Abraham, and called him her master. You are her daughters when you do what is right without fear of what your husbands might do.

In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.” (1 Peter 3:5-7, NLT)

Whew! Those are some hard words to read in current times! And right in the middle of the passage, Peter throws in an example from the Old Testament without much explanation. Reviewing the stories of Sarah and Abraham with Peter’s teaching in mind is an eye-opening experience. Rather than being examples of those who did everything “right,” their lives show us the good, the bad, and the ugly.

The Good

We meet Abram and Sarai in Genesis 12 when the LORD calls Abram to leave his father’s household, his people, and his country to go to a new land. (Later in Genesis 17 God changed their names to “Abraham” and “Sarah.”) God promised Abram He would make him into a great nation and would bless all the people of the earth through him. Following God’s invitation, Abram packed up his possessions at the age of 75 and left home to travel to a new land with his wife, Sarai, and their nephew, Lot. Imagine Sarai leaving the only home she’d ever known at age 65. Scripture doesn’t tell us how she felt, only that she went. Abram trusted God and submitted to His will and Sarai followed his lead. She trusted her husband and yielded to him. And this is where their story really begins.

The Good and The Bad

The story continues with Abram and Sarai traveling to Egypt to escape a famine. As they approached the border, Abram said to his wife, “Look, you are a very beautiful woman. When the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife. Let’s kill him; then we can have her!’ So please tell them you are my sister. Then they will spare my life and treat me well because of their interest in you.” (Genesis 12:11-13, NLT) Despite being put in a precarious position, Sarai submitted to Abram’s plan. And as Abram predicted, Pharaoh took Sarai into his palace. Here we see the opposite of what Peter tells husbands to do. Abram behaved dishonorably toward his wife, yet she still yielded to his plan.

The good news is that God was looking out for her in a way her husband wasn’t. “The LORD sent terrible plagues upon Pharaoh and his household because of Sarai, Abram’s wife.” (Genesis 12:17, NLT)  Even though his plan dishonored her, Sarai submitted to her husband. And God stepped in to protect her.

Ironically, a very similar situation occurred later when a different king admired Sarah’s beauty and took her into his harem after Abraham said she was his sister. In Genesis 20 God protected Sarah by revealing Abraham’s deception and preventing King Abimelech from touching her. Once again, she submitted to her husband despite his dishonorable plan. And once again, God came to the rescue.

The Ugly

Sarai is probably best known for her worst mistake. After waiting ten years to conceive the child promised by God, she finally decided to give up and take matters into her own hands: “So Sarai said to Abram, ‘The Lord has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.’ And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal.” (Genesis 16:2, NLT) As much as we want to criticize her for this decision, we’d be hypocrites if we did. How many times do we, as women, decide make things happen OUR way? We love to tell our husbands how to implement our plans, don’t we?  Sarai’s choice not only portrays a lack of submission to her husband, it reveals a lack of trust in God. And with his passive response and willingness to go along with her plan, Abram relinquished his leadership and authority. The results, as you may remember, were disastrous. Ishmael, the child born to Hagar, became a constant source of grief to Sarai. His birth brought animosity into their household that would last for every future generation. And all because Sarah assumed authority where she shouldn’t have. Ouch!

A Good God

Finally, twenty-four years after His original promise, the LORD appeared to speak with Abraham and told him he would have a son by Sarah less than a year later. Eavesdropping nearby, Sarah laughed to herself quietly saying, “How could a worn-out woman like me enjoy such pleasure, especially when my master—my husband—is also so old?” (Genesis 18:12, NLT) Perhaps referring to him as her “master” here shows she’d learned a lesson from exerting authority over him with the whole Hagar-Ishmael incident.

Scripture goes on to tell us, “The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age. This happened at just the time God had said it would.” (Genesis 21:1-2, NLT) So at ages 90 and 100, God fulfilled the promise He made when He first called Abram and Sarai to leave home when they were 65 and 75.

Connecting the Dots

Remember those “dot to dot” pictures we did as kids?  You’d take a page full of tiny black, numbered dots and would draw lines to connect them in numerical order.  At the end, a picture would take shape.  For me, reading the stories of Sarah and Abraham is a little like that. When I read Peter’s words about marital submission, they rub me the wrong way because I’m viewing them from a secular worldview, not a biblical one. However, when I consider examples from Scripture, those dots start to be connected into a clear picture. God designed His creation to function with order.  First and foremost, we submit to Him. Peter explains that we also submit to others such as government authorities and employers, as well as our spouses.  And like a dot to dot picture with the lines connected out of numerical sequence, when we disregard the order of authority God has established, life becomes much messier and more complicated. It’s still a hard passage to embrace, but I trust God more than I trust the constantly changing worldviews that influence each generation and distort ultimate truth.

*Inspired by the Bible study 1 Peter: A Living Hope in Christ by Jen Wilkin (Lifeway 2016)

 

Faith over Fear- No Other Gods Session 8

Standing alone at the airport terminal, I watched as my oldest son snaked through the security line. It was his first time flying alone and although I knew he was mature enough to travel solo, it was still a bit unsettling. After all, I was sending him out into a world filled with crime, terrorism, catastrophic accidents and all sorts of other ugly events. The fear could easily have consumed me, if I’d let it.

Instead, I prayed for my son as I drove home. I thanked God for the opportunity he had to attend a Christian Leadership Conference and looked forward to the growth that would occur in him as a result of the trip. I told God I trusted Him and thanked Him for the precious gift of my son’s life. I reminded myself that God knows and loves my son even more than my husband and I do. I chose to let my faith in God triumph over my fears.

Faith spurs us to move forward; fear holds us back. Faith trusts God through uncertain times, fear defaults to quick fixes. The Israelites give us a great example of this in the Old Testament. In Numbers 13 & 14 we find the story of their first attempt to enter the Promised Land after fleeing Egypt under Moses’ leadership. Moses sent twelve spies to scout out the land and when they returned:

“They gave Moses this account: ‘We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large…

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, ‘We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.’

 But the men who had gone up with him said, ‘We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.’ And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored.” (Numbers 13:27, 30-32, NIV)

All twelve men saw the abundance, but only Caleb and Joshua had the faith to believe God would keep His promise to give them the land. Once the other spies gave a bad report, fear spread like a virus among the Israelites:

“That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, ‘If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt?’” (Numbers 14:1-4, NIV)

Because they let their fears overpower their faith in God, the Israelites aged 20 and older were punished by having to wander in the wilderness for forty years until they died. They would never enter the Promised Land. The only exceptions were Joshua and Caleb, the ones who had faith. God described Caleb as having “a different spirit” from the rest. That phrase makes me pause to ask: Do I, as a follower of Jesus, have a “different spirit” from those around me? How about you? Do you let fear consume your mind and determine your steps? Like Joshua and Caleb, do we believe God wholeheartedly, whether anyone else is choosing to trust Him or not?

Now let’s fast-forward forty years to when the second generation of Israelites was once again on the brink of entering the Promised Land. The only thing standing in their way was the Jordan River. The story in Joshua 3 & 4 tells us that at that time of year the river was a swollen, rushing mass of muddy, brown water. Getting two million people with all of their possessions across it was no small feat. However, there was a different spirit among the Israelites this time around.

God gave Joshua instructions for how to cross the river and enter the Promised Land. Following them would require tremendous faith in Him alone. He spread word around the camp: “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” (Joshua 3:5, NIV) The people listened, seemingly without questioning the bizarre plan. Based on what happened next, it’s pretty clear God delivered on this promise. “As soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away.” (Joshua 3:15-16, NIV) Two million people chose faith over fear, trusting that God would hold the water back long enough for all of them to cross the riverbed on dry ground and enter the land He had promised to give them.

Don’t miss the best phrase in the story: “The Lord will do amazing things among you.” He was ready, but the people also had to be willing. Forty years earlier, their parents and grandparents had let fear consume them. The second generation chose faith in God and saw Him do amazing things as a result.

It makes me wonder if there are places I’m letting fear overshadow faith in my life. The choice to focus on our fear or our faith has a ripple effect on those around us. As followers of Jesus, we have a “different spirit” within us than the rest of the world. When we choose faith over fear, it changes our outlook. It also empowers us to impact others and leaves room for God to do amazing things among us.

If you’re struggling to relinquish fear and embrace faith, click on the link and be encouraged by the song “Cast My Cares” by Finding Favour.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKuAMmTqUbs

Kelly Minter, No Other Gods: Confronting Our Modern-Day Idols, Lifeway Press, 2007, 2012.