Afraid to Courageous

Don't you just love it when God is shaking you, obviously trying to get your attention about something?  When your Facebook news feed, your Sunday School class, and your Online Bible Study, all are talking about the same thing, I think it's time to listen!  Well, God's been trying to get my attention about fear.

As part of my online Bible study, I've been reading the book Limitless Life by Derwin Gray.  He talks about how we all have labels on our heart that limit us from becoming all that God wants us to be.   I feel like my heart is one big sticker book full of fear--afraid of failure, of the unknown, of being dumb, and not good enough. Well, Pastor Derwin shares the story of David and Goliath to illustrate David's great faith and courage.  (Which is the same lesson we discussed in a slightly different context at my church the Sunday before--I love how God works!)  In 1 Samuel 17, the Philistines are battling against the Israelites.  They want the Israeli soldiers to choose a representative to fight their giant, Goliath.  Pastor Derwin gives the picture of the Israeli soldiers as cowering men who were unable to move, willing to stay in slavery to the Philistines because their fear was so great.  This illustration allowed me to see I'm like those cowering, Israeli soldiers.  I'm choosing slavery over freedom in Christ. I'm choosing to put more "more faith in fear" than in the creator of the universe. I'm unable to move and grow because of my great fears.  David was able to fight Goliath because he knew "who he was and whose he was."  

Who he was?  A dwelling place of the most high God.  That's true for me, too (Eph 2:22).  I have the creator of the universe living inside of me and He has equipped me with everything I need to live a Godly life (2 Peter 1:3-4).  I don't need to be afraid about what I say or do.  I don't need to be afraid about what decisions I make.  God has equipped me with everything I need to "do" life.

Whose he was?  God's child.  I am, too (John 1:12).  David knew God would be with him.  How did he know?  God had proven himself faithful in David's life.  He had protected and provided for him in the shepherd's field.  He had helped David slay lions and bears to protect his sheep.  David knew God would come through for him with Goliath because had come through for him in his everyday life.

When my Goliath's come, I don't have to be afraid either.  God has shown himself faithful in my every day life.  He provided a job for me when I didn't think I needed a job.  When I found a tumor in my little boy's tummy, God had been preparing my heart for this trial through a women's conference.  Just the fact that God is speaking to me through my church, my Online Bible Study, and the people around me about fear, shows that he cares about me and wants to do something in my life.

God doesn't want me to be afraid.  He wants to replace that afraid label with courageous.  I can be courageous in any circumstance because of "who I am and whose I am."  I am the child and dwelling place of the most high God.  I can trust in His great power in me because He constantly shows himself faithful in my life!  


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Abba Father

       I'm a teacher.  I'm a mother.  My two older children go to school where I teach.  So, we travel back and forth from school together every day.  One morning, in our rush to get out the door, we left their breakfast behind.  Breakfast is usually on-the-go at our house.  When my son realized he had no breakfast he began to whine, "Mom!  What will we do?  Oh, no!  I'm gonna be so hungry!  Mom, what are you going to do about this?  We're hungry!  Aren't you going to do something about this?"

     My response to him, feeling a little agitated was, "B, when have I ever let you go hungry?  When haven't I taken care of you?"  As I said those words aloud to my son, I felt a nudging in my heart from the Holy Spirit. Teachers live for teachable moments--those moments when students" hearts and minds open up and they are ready to learn.  Well, I was in the middle of my own teachable moment and God was my teacher.  He said, "Jessica, isn't this true of you and me?  You've been asking me 'when are you going to take care of _______?  God, please take care of __________________.' When the whole time your heart has been wondering, 'God, don't you see me struggling here?  What are you going to do about this?  When are you going to take care of this?'  Jessica, when have I ever NOT taken care of  YOU?  When have I not provided for you?  Just as you know how to provide good things for your children, how much better can I provide for YOU (Matthew 7:11).  I care about the birds of the air (Matthew 6:26).  I care so much more for you!  I see your heart.  I know what you need.  I will work all things for your good (Romans 8:28). Hasn't MY track record proven that?  I AM faithful (Hebrews 10:23)."

      He IS faithful!  This is not the first time He has shown up in the middle of my messy, crazy life to speak  the exact words I needed to hear.  The creator of the universe cared enough about me to step into that parenting moment to assure me that: 1. He truly hears my prayers and understands my heart; 2. He is good and wants to provide good things for me (my definition of good is sometimes different than His, but this a whole other blog topic); 3.  He loves me and will provide for my needs.  

     God used this everyday, real-life moment to remind me who He is and who I am.  I am His child.  He sees me.  He knows my heart and He cares.  The creator of the universe cared enough about me to speak life, hope, and peace into my heart that day.  He goes before and behind me, with His hand of blessing on my head (Psalm 139:5).  He's there in the middle of "it" with me.  I never walk alone.  He wants to provide for me--beyond what I can imagine (Ephesians 3:20).  His track record is amazing!  It's perfect!  He has shown Himself faithful in my life.

     So, the Lord wants you to know this today, too.  He hears you.  He sees your heart.  He is good.  He loves you.  He is faithful.  He wants to know you and provide for you.  Will you let Him?