Fear or FAITH

As women we all struggle in one way or another with Fear. Fear can be categorized as either healthy or unhealthy. For instance, some healthy fears could be, fear of spiders and snakes, of which I had my first experience of killing one (only a baby) just last week. Actually it was the day after I shared this same message to a group of women at our Church. As I was talking with them, I told them how God had helped me overcome my intense fears of snakes. I STILL have a healthy fear of these slimy looking creatures, mind you. But I am not paralyzed by them like I was. Can you think of any other healthy fears? The MOST important healthy fear is the fear or reverence for God ~ a Holy fear ~ one of awe and intense respect.

What are some “unhealthy” fears we can experience? A few that come to mind are:

• Fear of a lack of control
• Fear of not having enough money
• Fear of what others think
• Fear of inadequacy
• Fear of failure

When you were a child was there a fear that “held” you in its grip? Has it carried over into your life as an adult?

How do we overcome those fears? First, if we have Jesus Christ living in our heart, then we have to be aware that,as Warren Wiersbe says, “Fear and faith can’t live in the same heart”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What???????????????????? Let me repeat, “Fear and faith can’t live in the same heart.” 1 John 4:18a says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” This is referring to God’s perfect love. His love indwells the hearts of all believers though the power of the Spirit. In Galatians 5:22, the first fruit of the Spirit is love.

It’s true ~ we’re either trusting in the fullness of God’s love or we’re not. Fear is a lack of trust. Plain and simple. We want to trust, but fear cripples or paralyzes us and keeps us from trusting and that’s just what the enemy wants!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As long as he can keep us wringing our hands, worried, anxious, scarred, and doubting, etc., he’s got us just where he wants us. Our fear(s) CAN and WILL be passed down to our children if we don’t do something about it. But what can we do?

In Psalm 56:3, it says, “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” Run to your Abba ~ your Daddy ~ tell Him how you feel and ask for His help. Remember, He longs to show you His compassion when you cry out to Him.

For years fear crippled me and held me in its grip. My Mom was very protective, actually overprotective. I know she meant well, and would have NEVER done anything to intentionally hurt me, but in her protectiveness ~ fear was instilled. I had VERY low self esteem ~ I felt totally inadequate in school, especially middle/high school. I was sooooooooooo afraid of saying the wrong thing in class ~ being made fun of ~ I felt stupid and that I couldn’t do anything right. I was scared of what others thought. This carried over into adulthood.

When I met my husband Ray, he was the one God used to help me see how much damage holding on to fear had and was doing to me. At that time, God began to show me areas of fear that I had allowed to stay and keep me in its grip. As I would give them to Him, He would set me free. He set me free from low self esteem and what others think by showing me who I am in Him. Even at 5’ 1”, I stand TALL in Christ. “I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:14)

Several years ago, fear, once again began to rear its ugly head. I knew God had taken the stronghold of fear away so I wasn’t sure if this was a test from the Lord or a temptation thrown at me by Satan to go back to my old ways. I “happened” to be reading Psalms 34. All of a sudden, verse 4 seemed to literally jump off the page at me. “I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” That little word all became quite BIG to me. When God says He will do something, take Him at His Word. All His words are true and He does not lie. So right then I thanked Him for taking away ALL my fears and knew I could fully trust Him regardless of how many times doubts come. I praise Him that victory is mine in Christ Jesus every day and in every situation. “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.” (Psalm 34:17)

Recently, I saw a drama presented at our Church, entitled Cardboard Testimonies. As the song “Stronger”, by Reuben Morgan, was played in the background, someone would come on stage and hold up a piece of cardboard with what used to hold them in its grip; then they would flip the sign over and on the other side it revealed how God had COMPLETELY freed them. As I watched, I was reminded of how God had taken away the stronghold of fear in my life and how He has given me complete freedom in Him. “The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release for the prisoners.” (Isaiah 61:1) I praise Him that I am no longer a prisoner bound by the stronghold of fear, because Jesus has set me free.

If you are struggling with fear in your own life, KNOW, my friend that God will take your struggle and free you from the stronghold of fear if you will give it to Him. Read the following verses that pertain to fear and ask Him to reveal any areas you need to give Him. Begin today to rest on the promises of His Word. “I run in the path of Your commands, for You have set my heart free.” (Psalm 119:32)

~ ~ ~

• Psalm 4:8
• Psalm 5:11-12
• Psalm 9:10
• Psalm 20:7-8
• Psalm 22:4-5
• Psalm 23:4
• Psalm 27:1-2, 7-11, 13 ~ remember it’s a process
• Psalm 31:1-4, 7, 19-24
• Psalm 34:4
• Psalm 119:165
• Proverbs 14:26
• Proverbs 16:20
• Proverbs 29:25
• Isaiah 41:10
• Jeremiah 17:7-8
• John 8:31-32
• 2 Timothy 1:7

Spring Cleaning your home ~ your heart

Every year about this time, most of us get the urge to do some Spring Cleaning. But I have to admit my desire, to clean right now, is very small. I need some motivation. So I have to ask myself, why do I need to do Spring cleaning in the first place? The answer is obvious, because my house is dirty. So I looked up the definition of clean – free from dirt or filth, unsoiled, unstained, complete, perfect, clean sweep, fresh start.

Now that I have a reason for cleaning my house, I need a plan of action. One of the simplest ideas I have ever heard for cleaning is to start at your front door. As you enter your house, start with the room to your left and work, room by room until you’ve accomplished each of your cleaning goals. The intensity of the cleaning is entirely up to you. Be careful to set realistic goals for yourself; then begin. You might want to ask your friends for some of their cleaning tips.

As I was thinking about cleaning my house, the Lord brought to mind, the question, when was the last time I did some spring cleaning of my heart? It’s always easier to look on the outside. Making sure we look presentable, with the current fashion, make-up, and hair style, which in itself is not a bad thing as long as it’s not our focus; but how often we miss looking at the inside. If you recall, that’s where the leaders in Jesus’ day got into trouble. They were so concerned about external issues that they missed what truly mattered. (Matthew 15:1-20) Have you?

We are reminded in Jeremiah 17:7-10, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.” And in Proverbs 4:23 it says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life,” or as another translation puts it, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.”

God has given us a heart to know Him; to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus. “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12

As His children He wants us to develop a heart that knows Him. In Jeremiah 9:23-24 it says, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.’ ” Chuck Swindoll gives great insight about these verses, “I am more convinced than ever that life’s major pursuit is not in knowing self . . . but in knowing God. Today make it your aim. Consciously think, ‘Lord, use these few quiet moments to enhance my knowledge of You. Take first place in my heart. Reveal Yourself to me.” (Quote taken from, The Living Insights Study Bible)

Hebrews 4:12-13 says, “The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to who we must give account.” Once again, I share the wisdom of Chuck Swindoll. “Alive. Active. Penetrating. Powerful. Unlike anything else ever written, Scripture touches hearts and changes lives. Today, as always, we need God’s touch. Painful and deep though it may be, His surgery inevitably benefits us. May His Spirit prepare our hearts for the probing ministry of this double-edged sword.” (quote taken from, The Living Insights Study Bible)

Just as you needed a plan for Spring cleaning your home, you need a plan for Spring cleaning your heart. You need to take an honest look at your heart. Take a good inventory. Ask God to reveal any issue in your heart that hinders your relationship with Him. Colossians 3:1-17 gives guidance for living a life that is free from hindrances.

If you’re not in the habit or have gotten out of the habit of spending time with God daily, begin now. Don’t neglect getting to know the One who made you and gave His life for you. Find a place in your house where it’s quiet. The bathroom with the fan on can be a great place. In warm weather I love to go outside on our deck. Be creative. Ask God to show you a place that you can meet with Him alone and free from distractions. If you’re new at this, or just need a “fresh start”, begin by reading a Psalm each day, preferably in the morning. Read it out loud. It will help you to be less distracted. As you read, ask the Lord to speak to your heart and He will. The amount of time you spend, is between you and the Lord.

“Those who know Your name will trust in You,

for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You.” ‘

Psalm 9:10

She Brings Him Good

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm all the days of her life." Proverbs 31:10-12

The eyes of the Proverbs 31 woman are always looking for ways to bring her husband good. Not just on special occasions, but everyday. The world says, why should I do something good for him when he never does anything good for me. That's just it, the world says. We need to stop listening to the world and listen more carefully to what God says.

Doing something good, doesn't mean you have to buy something that's good. We need to be doing what's good. Be consistent in maintaining our homes so they are a refuge, a place where our husband's can hardly wait to be. You don't have to have a Southern Living home. We need to keep up with the clutter and make every effort to have the laundry folded, put away, dishes done, beds made, etc. when he comes home from work. If you have small kids, you're going to have toys scattered around, but that isn't an excuse to let everything else go. Believe me, I'm speaking to myself as I'm writing these things down and I don't have small kids anymore. To be honest, I make time for ALL the things I think are important, phone calls, facebook, watching TV, shopping, did I mention facebook (I know I spend way too much time on this site). Anyway, you get the idea. For some great tips on maintaining your home without losing your mind, check out flylady.net.

The MOST IMPORTANT WAY we can bring our husband's good is to be sure we have a strong foundation that is built on Jesus Christ. Even the most spotless home will be a wreck without this. In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus gives us the answer for a home that is built on a solid foundation. "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like the wise man who built his home on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

As Christians, we're told, the storms WILL come. "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) And in James 1:2-4,it says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers (sisters), whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Okay, so what's a woman to do to bring her husband good when we KNOW the storms of life will come?????? We need to spend time each day reading God's Word, or as Chuck Swindoll calls the Bible, God's Book ~ God's Voice, so we are equipped to face whatever comes on our plate. (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17) I began doing this on a regular basis about 20 years ago and my life hasn't been the same since. I started out by making a commitment to the Lord that I would read His Word for 15 minutes each morning. I found a quiet place where I knew I wouldn't be interrupted (sometimes that was the bathroom with the fan running). Ask God to help you be creative in finding that quiet place in your home and go there everyday.

For my starting point, I used the Psalms. I would read one Psalm each day. Someone also gave me some great advice. She said to read the Psalm out loud. That kept me focused and kept my mind from wandering or thinking about all the things I needed to do that day. When I came to Psalm 119, I would read only one section of verses a day. It's actually already broken up for you. I kept a piece of paper with me and each time I saw a characteristic of who God was or what He did, I jotted it down. For example, Almighty, King, made the heavens and the earth. Later I listed all the letters of the alphabet on a piece of paper and would put the characteristic beside each letter. I called it Alphabet Praise. (Works great for kids too.) As I would begin my quiet time, I would take a letter and use the characteristics about God to praise Him. I would do it something like this, Lord I praise you today because you are Almighty, All I need, Alpha and Omega, etc. It was also a great reminder of who my God is and what He does. I still do this. :)

If you're not in the habit of spending time in the Word daily, don't worry. Just start today and let God begin a new work in you. It takes at least 21 days to establish a habit, and this is the BEST habit you'll ever begin. " But the man (woman) who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues to do this, not forgetting what he (she) has heard, but doing it -- he (she) will be blessed in what he (she) does." James 1:25 (For more verses on the benefits of reading the Word, see Psalm 119:11, 2 Timothy 2:15, Jeremiah 15:16, Matthew 4:4, and Proverbs 2:1-2,5-6.)

"Let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
Look to the LORD and His strength
see His face always."
Psalm 105:3-4