Do Not Fear

This is easier said than done.  Life is full of challenges.  They come and they go.  There will always be something in life that seems stressful or overwhelming.  It’s how we handle the troubles that counts.  It’s hard at times to rest in the knowledge that God is with us blessing us with the gifts of His Spirit.  It is difficult at times to entrust all that is happening to the Lord.  It’s hard to let go and let God.

I find when difficulties and challenges arise in my life I become anxious, nervous, concerned, even afraid of what will come.  Fear of the unknown can cause me to feel overwhelmed and distressed.  Peace seems far off and I struggle to find the courage and strength I need to get through the troubles or issues I am dealing with.  I know I shouldn’t let life become overwhelming but at times I do.  The challenge for me is recognizing God is present and that He has promised to give me the grace I need to walk through any trouble in a way that honors and glorifies Him and fills me with the peace I seek.  I simply need to accept the courage and strength God is blessing me with and walk fearlessly through whatever challenges I face.

“Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear!” (Isaiah 35:4 NRSV)

Do Not Lie

Yikes, this is a tough one.  There are so many instances when I have told a fib or a “little white lie”.  I don’t want to offend someone or hurt their feelings.  There have been times when I don’t want another person to be angry or upset with my choices so I skirt the truth and tell a lie.  Sometimes it’s so easy to lie and so hard to be honest and tell the truth.  But this scripture is really clear.  “Do not lie to each other.” (Colossians 3:9 NIV)

I realize that lies are from the king of deception and that when I tell a lie I am being deceitful.  I recognize now that in lying I am allowing Satan a firm place in my heart and mind.  I do not want to walk in darkness and say things that do not honor and glorify God.  Even if I am uncomfortable or cause others to be upset with me I need to be honest and truthful if I want to keep Satan at bay and do what is right and good.

I know that if I ask the Holy Spirit to guide my words when I am tempted to lie, He will give me the exact words to speak that will not hurt or harm.  The truth will truly set me free.  So I choose to be honest even if it is difficult at times.

God is my Strength

I am not a strong person.  In fact, I am quite deficient.  I do not have the strength or courage to do anything without God.  He is my strength.  I am nothing but a weak person whose life is filled with all sorts of hardships and at times insults, calamities and persecution.  These things cannot be escaped.  They are part of being a follower of Christ.  But if I humbly present every weakness, hardship, and difficulty to Christ, His power can be made perfectly manifest in these areas of my life for God Our Father’s glory.  His work of love can be done through my weakness.  In submitting all areas of my life to Christ, His Spirit can powerfully bless me while glorifying the Father.  And, I can trust that when I am at my weakest and most vulnerable God’s grace will be more than enough to get me through.  He has promised me that.  

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Love Yourself

It’s so hard to love myself as God loves me.  My imperfections, sins and mistakes tend to be what I focus on instead of God’s love within me.  God is love and His love is complete.  I know that it is God’s love manifest within me that moves out from me to bless others.  I also know that the degree to which I love myself is the degree to which I can love God and others.  So, the question is, why don’t I allow God’s love within me to propel me to love myself more fully?  I realize that God does not judge or condemn me, but I do judge and condemn myself.  In His love for me, God forgives all and accepts me exactly as I am, but I do not do the same for myself.  If I could just start genuinely forgiving, accepting, and loving myself as I am, God’s love within me would start to consume and transform me and I would begin loving myself more completely.  And it follows, that if I am wholly loving myself I will have a greater capacity to love God and others.  So from now on I will make a conscious effort to try to love myself as God loves me.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12 NRSV)

Give Thanks

I do not give thanks enough for all God has given to me and done for me.  So often I forget to give thanks in all circumstances, joyous and distressful.  I frequently go through an entire day without once saying, “Thank You!”  It’s not that I am ungrateful.  It’s more that I am not demonstrative with my thanks.  And, who doesn’t like to be thanked when they do something for you?  If I didn’t say, “Thank you,” to someone for a gift they would consider me strange and thoughtless.  I know God gives without expecting a return.  His gifts are freely given in love.  But I realize that I need to focus more on having a grateful heart at all times.  It’s not for God’s sake, it’s for my sake, for my growth.  It’s so I become more joyful and peace-filled by recognizing how God is moving and working in my life and in the lives of those I love and care for.  When I focus on God’s movement in my life I always feel encouraged and blessed.  So from now on I will take a moment, a few times a day, just to give thanks for all that I am being blessed with.   

“Give thanks in all circumstances: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NRSV)

Choices

In that fraction of a second between stimulus and response we have a choice to make.  Will our choice glorify God and be pleasing to Him or will it not?  It is so easy to forget that by free will we are constantly making choices, large and small that affect our state of grace.

I can honestly say, I do not always make the choice that pleases God or blesses Him.  Frequently I make a choice quickly without any thought.  For example, driving in the car, someone cuts me off, and next thing I know I am judging that person and most likely calling him or her some kind of name that isn't very nice.  In that moment when I chose to react, I chose without any forethought.  I just reacted unkindly.  

What I need to do is be more aware of my choices, all of them.  Many times when I am making a choice I am overly concerned with what others will think of my decision.  I want their approval and support more than I think about how what I am planning to do will be a blessing to others and God.  The bottom line is what is more important to me, pleasing men or pleasing God?  And I ask why can’t my choice be pleasing to both God and man?  I suppose if I spent more time praying and listening I would please both more frequently.

I know others may not approve of, understand or like some of the choices I will make, but they do not hold the keys to the kingdom of heaven, God does.  If I could just remember that when I am choosing to act or react, I am sure God would help me change and become a better person, a more loving person who focuses on what He desires for me.

"Am I now seeking human approval, or God's approval? (Galatians 1:10 NRSV)