Fear

Fear is such a relative emotion. What one person is afraid of may not even cross the mind of someone else. Also, depending on a person’s experience and environment fear can be different for each individual. On top of that, the deceiver (Satan) can lead individuals to fear something that can trap and enslave them.

Mike asked a question the other day of each of our kids… What are you afraid of?

We had a range of answers:

Ethan: I am afraid I could break my foot. (The “smart” answer since he had recently broken his foot.

Rebecca: I am afraid of dying.

Sarah: I am afraid of lightning and having a baby.

Anderson: I am afraid of getting lost in Goodwill. Yes, that is what he said.

At first, I thought, “How cute?” Then I thought, “How real?”, “How honest?”

My kids and I have not grasped the truth that God has for us in not fearing the things of this world and what Satan tries to deceive us with. As a grown-up, I find it so funny how my fears are really no different than a child’s fears. We want to be well liked. We desire to please others and not disappoint someone. We would sometimes cover our fears with words like… “I am just being careful” when it is actually fear. God has called us out of our comforts to a life of trust. So, I speak to myself by saying, God, I trust you know matter what. I just need to take my fears to Him. He knows exactly what to do with them.

I Peter 3:13-15- “Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened."But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

Light bulbs

In my early 20’s I really thought I had most spiritual things figured out. I would look at myself and not see many things that needed to be changed. I laugh at that now. I would look at verses and highlight them for someone else that needed to hear it.

The Holy Spirit revealed some things to me and I finally came to my senses. Through a personal bible study I was doing in my mid 20’s, I discovered the process of growth. I knew that the Christian life was a process of learning and applying but the Holy Spirit truly spoke to me through a…”vision” of sorts. That’s the only word I can think of to describe it.

I pictured myself in a long narrow tunnel. The tunnel represented my Christian walk. The tunnel was dimly lit.

At the top of the tunnel I could see chains hanging down to light bulbs. You know the kind you see in a closet. Some of the light bulbs were already on but not all of them. The Holy Spirit revealed to me that the entire tunnel ceiling was full of light bulbs that were not yet on. In my past, with the help of the Holy Spirit, I had reached up and pulled some chains but I had many, many more to see.

The light bulbs represent many aspects of Christ and what He wants to give me- joy, peace, comfort, strength, resolve, perseverance, boldness, knowledge, wisdom and so much more. I just have to be willing to reach up.

The tunnel gets brighter and brighter as I discover what Christ has for me in this life. I know that I have a long way to go and thankfully I don’t want to quit walking on this journey of growth and light bulbs.

Hosea's Wife-Gomer

I was recently looking again at the book of Hosea in the Bible because of a song by Brooke Fraser titled Hosea’s Wife. I also recalled the book by Francis Rivers titled Redeeming Love. When I was reading Hosea I found myself shocked and amazed. I simply can’t get over the actions of Gomer. She repeatedly turned from Hosea in spite of his forgiveness. Yet I was even more astonished at how Hosea responded. He continually took her back.

Through the book of Hosea and then hearing the song Hosea’s Wife and remembering back to the fiction account of Gomer I am shocked at God’s response to us. I don’t want to forget how much like Gomer I really am. I don’t want to hang on to guilt or shame but I do want to remember what God saved me from because of His love for me. I am His creation!

Also, the book of Hosea is a parallel account of how God’s people repeatedly turned from Him and God took them back over and over again. I don’t want to forget that truth when I am dealing with people in His Body or even outside the Body. I give up on people to easily at times.

Note: I am not a fiction reader. There are a few exceptions. One fiction book I do highly recommend is Redeeming Love. It was amazing and real.

Shed This Shallow Skin

When reading Ephesians 4 that phrase came to mind…shed this shallow skin. I read these lyrics in a song and thought of these verses-

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24

Often times I forget about the fact that once I accepted Christ I became a “new self”. The traits that come with the new me are hard to work on if I am putting on the old me. In Ephesians 4 it speaks of the traits of the “old self” - bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. I can keep holding on to those traits and not let go. In Christ, I am called to be like Christ seeking righteousness and holiness.

You know what’s funny is that I don’t find it difficult with the BIG issues it is the daily activities that I struggle with the most. I catch myself focusing on how I want things instead of being more like Christ.

Daily I am striving to simply shed that shallow skin and put on the new attitude and holiness Christ.

Books...Books...Books

I love to read and no doubt I have already shared that in some previous blog post. I just love learning new things. I enjoy reading mainly non-fiction books- biographies, spiritual growth books and books that my friend’s recommend. So, as I start my new book list for 2009 you may find some unusual titles. Don’t worry. I diligently pray that God will reveal His truth through the books I read and I also look to His word to confirm the ideas and thoughts shared.
I would love to find out what you’re reading this year.... So leave a comment.