There is Strength in Peace!

Be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid of them and don’t be frightened, because the Lord your God will go with you. He will not leave you or forget you.                                                                          Deuteronomy 31:6 

 

I can't speak for anyone else but I don't like the feeling of fear.  Don't get me wrong, there is a fear that is helpful. For example, hearing a bear galumphing through the woods toward me strikes a fearful cord in my mind, thus leading me to get out of the way. 

Look at today's verse: God is telling us not to be afraid, but to trust Him!  Believe it or not, God has already dealt with the events we are seeing today.  He is never NOT in control!  God promises us that He will ALWAYS go with us and will never forget us or leave us.

One of my favorite movies is "Kingdom of Heaven" it's about the Crusades.  One of the lines in that movie which has stuck in my mind is "Quod Deus Vult" (As God Wills).  Everything we encounter, every situation we face is according to God's will and ultimate plan.  This is why David wrote in the 23rd Psalm, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not fear. Because You, my God, are with me! Your protection encompasses me!"

I'll be honest, seeing all the chaos that the news shows in great quantities is NOT the whole story!  Our enemy would have us focus on our fear.  Our Abba wants us to focus on Him and Trust Him!  Daniel did when he was dropped into the pit of lions. Shadrach, Meschach and Abednigo did when they were tossed into the overheated furnace.  How about us? Will we trust Him now or fear our enemy?  

Fearful of the World?

 Even when I must walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no danger,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff reassure me.

Psalm 23:4 

 

 There was a program I used to watch that always began with the creepy voiced presenter, Vincent Price, asking, "What are you afraid of?"  Then there would be 3 vignettes consisting of tales meant to scare the viewer.  As a child, their ply worked!  I would hide under my bed, that is, until one of the tales included a critter crawling out from under the bed to wreak havoc. Yet, I was right there every Friday evening watching this program and getting scared again. Perhaps there was something wrong with me that I kept going back to the source of my fear instead of remembering it was merely a television program. 

 

Now, this is NOT a political commentary, I write this solely to present some points to ponder.  If we look at our nation, we begin to fear the future.  We seem to be tearing our nation apart.  Night after night there are riots and there seems to be no end to the violence.  But WE have a choice, we can hide under the bed or we can kneel before God.  Sometimes, in the midst situations we see on the news and social media, it's easy to wonder if God knows what's going on.  Let me assure you, not only does God know what's going on, He already had a plan in place before time began for just such a time as this.

 

We NEVER read in Scripture where God tells us that we will have a nice, peaceful, uneventful stay on this planet.  In fact, over and over we are reminded that while we are here we WILL have trouble; we WILL have trials; we WILL have tribulations!  But best of all, we ALREADY have God on our side walking with us through this dark valley of chaos.  And you what? That fact ticks our enemy off!

 

Let's do something: When you see something on the news that is frightening, stop right at that moment and talk with Abba! "I don't know why this is happening, Abba, but I am trusting YOU to deal with the situation. Take my fear, my worry, my stress, my anxiety and fill me with the peace beyond understanding YOUR word promises. I leave it in Your hands."  

• When you see a Law Enforcement Officer, smile and pray for them right then and there! 
•  When you see children, pray for them right then and there.  
• When you see someone in need, help them if you are able and pray for them right then and there.

When we learn to pray immediately for others, we will find our fear disappearing and we will see God moving!

There's This Town In Texas...

When I am afraid,
    I will put my trust in you.

Psalm 56:3 

 

There's this town in Texas called "Uncertain."  If you think I'm kidding, Google it. It is a REAL place.  Some of you didn't believe me when I spoke of "Toad Suck, Arkansas" until you Googled it.

 

Think about this for a moment, with all that is going on in the world right now, how many of us live in our own "Uncertain"?  In fact, our uncertainty tends to lead us to the realm of doubt, stress, anxiety, and worry because we are uncertain what might happen. 

 

 There's an old adage that says, "If you want to know about the road ahead, ask the person coming back."  What does THAT have to do with anything? It's simple, God has already BEEN through our future and knows what will happen, so talk with Him.

"But what if.....?"

Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.

Matthew 10:28-29

 

The night before I was due to have my quadruple bypass surgery, I was not feeling exceptionally calm.  To be honest, I was terrified!  I tried reading my Bible, but just couldn't concentrate, although I "justified" that by blaming the nursing staff who came in frequently to check my vitals.  

 

One of the nurses took the time to stay and chat with me because he saw that I was upset (and my vitals apparently confirmed this). 

He said, "May I ask you something?" 

* I said, "Sure."  

He said, "Do you believe that book you're reading?"  

* I said, "Yes, of course."  

He said, "Then why are you so nervous?"

 *I said, "I could die!"

He said, "Yep, you could.  You could walk into the restroom, slip and hit your head and die. You could step off the curb and get hit by a bus. An airplane carrying an elephant could accidentally jettison the elephant which could land on you. Face it, we ALL are going to die. Our bodies weren't designed to live forever."

* I said, "You aren't helping.  I could die and what would happen to my family?"

He said, "You really DON'T believe the Bible then."

* I admit, I got a bit testy at that. "YES I DO!"

He said, "IF you do believe it, then you know that God will take care of everyone. We don't have to worry or be afraid."

 

Then he left me and my mind kicked into overdrive.  I really didn't have anything to fear or worry about. God has provided for His children since the dawn of time, why would He stop now? 

The news portrays grim situations.  That's what terrifies us, makes us afraid, and makes us nervous.  Yet God's word promises us that He loves us and takes care of us so we have nothing to fear.  Take precautions, of course, but don't let anything take our hearts off of God!

    

The World Wants Us To Be Afraid!

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me? (Psalms 56:3-4) 

There was this guy named Daniel.  He loved God and prayed every day.  The king had been convinced that the only one people need to pray to was him. Long story short, Daniel was caught praying to God and not the king, the king signed the order to have Daniel tossed to the lions.  In went Daniel, yet the lions merely yawned.  Next day, the king came back to see if God had saved Daniel, come to find out God had not only tamed the lions, but apparently made them not hungry for Daniel.  The king, ticked off for having been tricked into signing the order against Daniel, tossed his deceiving advisors in for the lions AND their families.  The lions didn't even let the advisors hit the floor before they were devoured.

Think what you will, but God reminds us every single day that His children are loved by Him so much that He protects our very souls!  The Psalmist says "What can mere mortals do to me?"  Mere mortals can kill the body, but ONLY if God allows it.  Mere mortals can NEVER kill our soul!  With all the fearmongering on the news and social media; with the panic causing people to shop as though the world is going to explode at any second; we are tempted to look at the circumstances instead of the Savior!

Think about it!  

"Are You SERIOUS?"

No one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.

Matthew 24:36 

 

Not long ago, I heard an "Evangelistic Apostle" claim that we are in the end times and we should be in fear for our lives, but if you sent this person $100 cash, special prayers would be said on your behalf.  I remember thinking to myself, and I believe I asked God out loud, "Is this person serious?".  Are we truly in the end times?  Yes we are.  We've been entering the end times from the very moment Adam and Eve disobeyed God.

Should we be afraid? As a child of God...no.  Why would God fill His Scriptures with reminders for us to "Fear not, for I am with you"?  Why would God take the time and effort to send Jesus to pay our debt, if He meant for us to be so fearful?  Why would Jesus tell us that "I will be with you always, even to the end of the earth"?  Simple...God has prepared a place just of us.  And it's so much better than anything we could ever imagine.

Now, a word of caution...Never once has God ever advised us to not be careful.  Never once has He commanded us to act without thinking or to simply act foolishly.  NOT ONCE!!!  In fact, the Apostle Paul reminds us, in his second letter to Timothy Chapter 1 and verse 7, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

 

Why would God go to all this trouble and effort to remind us to use our mind, use His power and love, and reject fear if He was simply lying to us?  Has God EVER lied?  Not that I have found.  But each of us must make the conscious decision to trust Him or not.  I vote to trust Him!

One Breath At A Time

[Our enemy] comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I came to give life—life in all its fullness.

John 10:10 

 

You've seen the news...people panicking, hoarding, fearful, worrying.  Anxiety has taken hold and we act as though we have surrendered to the dread.  Our enemy LOVES when we take our eyes off of Christ so stare into the abyss of hopelessness and fear.  What better way to steal our joy than with in-you-face panic?  What better way to kill your love for others than with the fear of perhaps not having enough for yourself?  What better way to destroy your ministry than with the terror of the unknown?

 

We only get ONE BREATH AT A TIME!  We are not guaranteed anything beyond that!  If you take your last breath after you've spent every breath up to that point in a panic, what have you gained?  If you take your last breath after you've hoarded supplies only for yourself, how does that benefit you?  If you take your last breath after you've chosen to show disdain for others, what lasting ministry memory will you leave?

 

When the temptation comes to look away from Christ, DEFY our enemy and stare ever intently at His loving smile, because He came to give us a FULL life! 

Comforting Thought

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.

Deuteronomy 31:8 

 

I've noticed that many of us seem to be fearful of what might happen or discouraged by the way things are going.  Yes, I am speaking to my own mind as well.  We look all that's going on in this world and...fear and discouragement set in. Once they set in, it's difficult to get evict them, at least it is for me.

 

A friend of mine told me, "Above the storms, the sun still shines."  THAT reminded me that no matter what my eyes may see, no matter what my mind may think, God is in control!  Nothing happens that can ever defeat His plans for us.  No one can change His plans for us.  When I look at all that is going on in this world, that is the time to pray! 

 

"Abba, I don't understand, but that's not my job.  Help me trust YOU!  Let my eyes see YOU!  Let my mind focus on YOU! Let my spirit be filled with YOU and let me celebrate because YOU are God!" 

What Should We Fear?

The Lord is on my side, I am not afraid!
What can people do to me?

Psalm 118:6 

 

"Ugh, if it weren't for people life would be so much better." Such was the comment from a priest friend of mine.  We then went into a discussion about people in general.  We concluded that, as people, we can aggravate the tar out of each other, make each other so angry that we want to smack them, we can use our position to bully others, we can use our intellect to belittle others, we can commit horrendous acts on each other.  Yet, as people, we can also be kind to each other, be compassionate with each other, we can encourage each other, we can do and say things that bring laughter to each other, we are capable of incredible acts of love to each other.

 

Soon our discussion about people turned to Job, who, if you remember, had quite a bad experience and yet endured.  In Job 19:25, he provides us the key to remember when we are enduring trials at the hands of others, "But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and He will stand upon the earth at last."  Fear comes when our focus is changed from God to our situation, when we remember that our Redeemer truly does live, what do we have to fear?

Are You Scared Yet?

Where God’s love is, there is no fear, because God’s perfect love drives out fear. It is punishment that makes a person fear, so love is not made perfect in the person who fears.

1 John 4:18 

 

Today is Halloween.  Today is the day we celebrate all things scary and frightening.  I admit that I enjoy suspenseful movies.  But the slash and gore.....not in the least.  And, because it IS Halloween, I do enjoy seeing the creativity of the costumes.

 

But think about fear for a moment.  We fear many things, don't we?  We fear financial ruin.  We fear for our families.  We fear for our jobs.  We fear for our health. And if you've ever been in the car with me, you fear I'll start singing.  Fear is not a bad thing unless it becomes our main focus.

 

If it fear that keeps us from getting too close to the edge of a cliff.  It is fear that keeps most of us from doing stupid things like sticking your hand in a bear trap.  It is fear that prevents most of us from ending up on "World's Dumbest" programs.  Fear is good sometimes.  But when fear becomes our primary focus, we have a problem.  

 

You see, God's love drives out fear.  It doesn't just ask fear to leave, God's love DRIVES it out!  But that only happens when we focus on Him and His love for us!  When fear sneaks in and tries to take over, remind fear that God's love lives here and fear is not welcome! 

Why Be Afraid?

 “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people.

2 Chronicles 32:7-8

 

Why are we afraid?  Okay, perhaps that's too broad of a question, but I must ask it in a broad sense anyway.  Why are we afraid?  Think about it, we are afraid of things we cannot control: the stock market, our retirement investments, what someone else will do or say to or about us, others perception of us, the list is endless.  And think about this as well, how many times does scripture tell us to "Fear Not"?

 

Every thunderstorm, Woody Bear shakes and no matter how much we try to comfort him and assure him that it will be okay, he is still afraid.  Why?  Because he can see, hear and feel the thunderstorms and nothing we say or do will make that thunderstorm go away.  So he will ultimately go to his "safe place" which is in the back of the closet.  After the storm passes, and he is sure it has passed, he will come out and return to normal.  

 

Aren't we like that as well?  God tells us to not be afraid.  God tells us that HE will take care of us.  God tells us that He will NEVER turn His back on us.  Yet, we are afraid because of what we see, hear, and feel. And when our storm passes, we return to normal.  Why?  Is it because we trust OUR senses instead of the One who gave us our senses?  Is it because we don't truly trust that God will do what He promises?  We don't want to admit that we doubt, but we doubt when things don't go the way WE planned and we get afraid because we aren't the one in control.

 

God reminds us to "Fear Not" because what we face is simply temporary and we have THE One who is eternal on our side!

Celebrate

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute! Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
Philippians 4:4-7 

Did you know that one of the easiest things to become in this life is cynical?  It's true!  We begin by looking at the negatives in life, then we start talking about the negative things we see, finally we cannot see anything but the negative in everything and everyone.  When we become cynical we are not pleasant to be around.  When we become cynical, no one can ever do anything right.  When we become cynical, we are essentially telling God that we don't like the way He is doing things and that WE know a better way to do everything.

But...what happens when we celebrate everything God is doing for us and through us?  The cynicism melts away.  You cannot be a cynic and celebrate God at the same time!  We cannot worry and trust God at the same time.  Worry is our way of telling God we don't believe He can do all He promised  And yet, we know God has never let us down; He has NEVER wrung His hands wondering if we would be okay; NEVER fretted about what to do next.  Why?  Because He is God!  Nothing surprises Him!  

When we take our worry and our fear and our anxiety and turn it into a prayer of praise to God ("I don't know what You are up to, but I'm in because I know YOU have my best interest in Your heart and will NEVER let the Pit Dweller win") He will replace all that with His peace and assurance!

What Can Happen?

The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.
    What can mere people do to me?

Psalm 118:6 

Ever wonder why God allows some storms to come crashing through our lives?  Let's look at how God has so set up nature: lightning strikes the dry grass of the Great Plains starting fires....the fires clear the plain of the dead grass so the new grass can grow and the buffalo has fresh food to eat.  Lightning strikes a forest and the forest catches fire burning the dead trees and undergrowth making room for new growth.  

You can't expect to grow if you have lots of clutter in the way!  God sometimes allows storms to get rid of some of the clutter so we can grow.  

Now what has that got to do with other people?  Simply this, God sometimes uses people as the conduit for our clutter removal.  He uses people to sharpen us.  He uses people to be an example for us.  He uses people so we can set the example (and be very conscious of the example we set).  He uses people to remind us that we aren't perfect, holier than anyone else, or better than anyone else.

Now consider this:  God also uses us in the same ways in the lives of others.  So why fear what mere man can do when God is the one in control? 

Are You UNAFRAID?

Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Matthew 6:32-33

Every day we are challenged to worry and be afraid of what may or may not happen.  Did God create us to worry and be afraid?  How many times in Scripture does God remind us to "Fear Not"?  How many times do we see in Scripture where God supplies the needs of His people?

How much time and energy do we expend worrying about things we can't control or really don't pertain to us?  We worry about what other people are doing or saying, but can we control any of that?  We are afraid of what in our past may suddenly come to light, yet can we change it?  We lose sleep over whether or not we will make it until the next paycheck, yet doesn't God honor a plan?  We fear losing our jobs; we worry about getting sick; we are full of fear, worry, anxiety and anguish...why?

Don't worry, I'm right there too.  I pray a lot about these things and God constantly reminds me that He's got everything under control.  This morning I was prompted to actually pray this prayer: "Abba, thank You for loving me and putting up with me.  Today, help me stay out of Your way and to be grateful as I witness Your care for me.  PLEASE keep me from trying to do Your job!"  And I have not felt such a peace as in that moment!

Discouraged

Why am I discouraged?
    Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
    I will praise him again—
    my Savior and my God!

Psalm 43:5 

 

In listening to the conversations over the weekend, I gathered that people seem to be getting discouraged because they feel helpless.  Feeling helpless is extremely discouraging, but are we truly helpless?  Remember, God has given us a spirit of POWER, and of LOVE, and of SELF-DISCIPLINE!

 

1.   In this world we WILL have troubles!  Jesus said that in John 16:33, and since we already know that we will have troubles we can prepare ourselves for them.  How?  Jesus went on to remind us that HE overcame the world (and ALL its troubles).

 

2.  We are also reminded that the fight is not ours: "This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s." 2 Chronicles 20:15.  The events we face may appear overwhelming and quite daunting, but God is the one who fights for us.  Ever know God to be defeated?  EVER?  

3.  It's easy to become fearful when we are faced with so much tragedy, but remember that God is WITH us! "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."  Isaiah 41:10.

 

4.  Remember Peter's little stroll upon the water?  What happened when he took his focus off of Christ and became fearful of the turmoil around him?  That's right....he began to sink.  His solution?  He cried out to Christ to save him!  And Jesus did just that.  Perhaps it's time for us to stop focusing on all the turmoil and return to Christ!

 

Each morning, my prayer for all of our officers is that they are kept safe, that Christ will go with them and fight for them, and love them.

Knee Jerk Responses

God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7

 

Why are we such a fearful society?  A tragedy occurs and we have marches and rallies  and calls to ban this, that, and the other....but we are somehow fearful of actually DOING something to help prevent a lot of the rampages.  When did we stop teaching our children about respect, courtesy, and the fact that everyone has value?

 

I can remember as a child being taught to respect other people and other people's property.  Why?  Because of the simple verse we call "The Golden Rule."  Yet some seem to have changed the rule to read: Do to others BEFORE they can do to me.  And our Pit Dwelling enemy has taken full advantage of our fear.

 

If we fear, we become ineffective and the Pit Dweller wins.  But look again at today's verse: "God HAS NOT given us a spirit of fear and timidity" our fear to do what is right does not come from God!  It comes from the pungent pit!  God HAS given us the spirit of POWER, LOVE, and SELF-DISCIPLINE!!  God has given us exactly what we need to do what is right, and we must focus on that instead of being fearful!

 

So ask yourself again, is it better to do what is right even though it might be uncomfortable for us and take some effort, or should we just let this world degrade into a free-for-all?

Today's Gift Just For You

This is the day the Lord has made.
    We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 

 

How many of us have ever heard the alarm go off, only to realize it's Monday, and we seriously consider dismantling the alarm clock?  Have you ever felt like you just wanted to crawl back in bed instead of getting up to face the day?  When did our perception of the day change from one of celebration to one of dread?

 

When I was a tyke (stop laughing), I liked getting up in the morning because I didn't know what the day held in store but was anxious to find out.  Such is the mind of an innocent, unjaded, inquisitive mind.  Somewhere along the line of life, the thought of having to get up and do something has become a curse.

 

Consider this: God made today just for you!  You have a part in this day!  You are important to the way today will play out.  God loves you so much that He made this day especially for you!  That's a gift worth being glad and even being happy in.  Today....is YOURS!

Rely on the Reality!

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 

 

Do you struggle?  Boy howdy, I do!  And honestly, have been (are) times when I don't even take the counsel I give others.  I tell others to "take care of yourself so you can take care of others" and then I add more things to my schedule and wonder why I have trouble sleeping, why I may come across as crabby, why I feel so stressed out/burned out/exhausted.  Hmmmm.....Isn't it odd that the same God who came right out and told us that "In this world you WILL have trouble" (John 16:33) is also the same God that tells us not to be afraid?

 

Recently, I realized that I had one of two choices:

1. I could keep going like a freight train and end up hating life....OR

2. I could return to the basics of faith and remember that God is ALWAYS with me no matter what!

 

When I have gotten discouraged, God has been there to remind me that I am His child.

When I have been afraid, God has been there to remind me that He takes care of His children.

When I have felt weak and helpless, God has been there to remind me that I need to rely on Him for strength, guidance, and wisdom.

 

God is God for a reason. And I am glad He is!

What Do You Fear?

Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; 

they cannot touch your soul. 

Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 10:28

 

 What are you afraid of?  When I was younger, I wasn't (am still not) too fond of heights. It was so much the falling that frightened me, so much as the intense pain of the sudden stop at the bottom.

 

When we were children, we used to fear many things:

   *  Like spiders (and some still have an aversion to them), 

   *  and clowns, 

   *  and drowning, 

   *  and alligators, 

   *  and any number of things.  

 

And as we grow up, we mostly grow out of those fears because we have new ones to replace them:

   *   losing your hair.

   *   developing a long term illness.

   *   having to speak in public

   *   being summoned to the boss's office.

   *   failing in school or in a career

 

There are those who will tell you that if you face your fears, you can overcome them.  Apparently, they have never watched a single horror movie, because when you face the critter that scares you in a horror movie, bad things happen to you.

 

Fear can paralyze us.  Fear can stop us from reaching out to someone who needs our help.  Fear can make us......well, afraid.  And then I saw a movie that I wish I could remember the title of, but the main gunfighter was facing his nemesis who was holding his weapon to the head of a hostage.  The nemesis said, "One more step and I'll kill her."  To which the hero said, "Then there will be no one but you and me."  

 

While that may sound cruel and rather heartless, think about this for a second.  Why are we afraid to speak to someone?  Because they may tell us to go away?  So what?   

 

Why are we afraid to help someone?  Because they may not want our help?  So what?

 

Why do we not pray when we're in public?  Because someone might not like it?  So what?  You don't have to bow your head, close your eyes, and look "holy" to pray.  

 

Our enemy would have us afraid of him, because he can cause our life here to be not so much fun.  But when we let God's light shine on his false "power" we will see and God will grant us the strength and courage we need.  

What Are You Afraid Of?

Death swallowed by triumphant Life!
Who got the last word, oh, Death?
Oh, Death, who’s afraid of you now?

It was sin that made death so frightening and law-code guilt that gave sin its leverage, its destructive power. But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three—sin, guilt, death—are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 

What scares you?  What is it that keeps you from truly living a life worth remembering?  Did you know that there are far too many people who are AFRAID to live?

• Could it be we fear what others will think or say?  Why? This is the life God gave YOU!  God gave THEM a life of their own.  We are extremely bad about letting someone else live our lives for us because our life is "too hard" or we just want to be taken care of.  Just remember, God gifted YOU with His life-breath and made you uniquely odd. 

•  Could it be that we fear failing? Why? If we succeeded in everything, we would not learn anything.  It is through our errors, missteps, and screw-ups that we learn.  We learn to give second chances.  We learn that no one is perfect.  We learn that we can use our experiences to help someone else.  We learn!

• Could it be that we fear succeeding?  Why?  Sometimes we want to "fly under the radar" because we don't want to be noticed.  Let's face it, if you succeed then people will expect you to do it again, only bigger and better than before.  Yes, there are times I would rather go off the radar, because then I can get a cleansing WOOSAH breath without anyone noticing.  But when God brings success to us, we have the responsibility to use that be an encouragement and inspiration for others!

• Could it be we fear life will hurt?  Yep......Life is going to punch you in the heart!  Not only that, but it's going to hurt, and will probably hurt for a while.  Sometimes we learn to avoid the punches by distancing ourselves from hurtful people.  But anytime we allow ourselves to care as God cares for us, we will get hurt.  We will get hurt when we don't achieve the goals we set for ourselves. We will get hurt we allow ourselves to love. We will get hurt by the expectations others have for us.  We will get hurt when loss finds us (expectedly or unexpectedly).  Life is going to hurt.  We learn from it and we keep going.

Here's the point:  The last thing to happen to us on this Earth is death.  But because Christ defeated death, we know that death no longer is a reason to fear.  Because, whatever happens between your birth and your death, God already knew and had a plan for, before time began.