Fear is an Enemy

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”  1 John 4:18

I’m sorry I’ve been so neglectful of you my readers, but I have been preparing for a retreat for which I’m speaking.  My heart has been fully occupied with sitting with the Lord while listening, praying, and gaining some understanding of what it means to love others and still I am exploring this topic.  I’ll share with you some of what I’m uncovering.

I’ve always loved the Scripture I’ve chosen to share today because fear has been a companion throughout my life.  Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of being “less-than”, just to name a few, have accompanied me on this life’s journey.  And yet I remember reading this Scripture years ago and wondering how I would ever find the understanding and ability to believe it.

Finally, it hit me: “fear has to do with punishment.”  In other words, in my experience, punishment equals pain.  Failure is painful.  Rejection is painful.  Insecurity is painful.  And I will do just about anything to avoid pain.

And I bet you do to.

So how do I go about reframing failure, rejection and insecurity so that those emotions are not associated with just pain?  How about considering these painful emotions as an opportunity for growth? 

It has only been through my fear of failure that I learned wisdom in making wiser choices! 

It has been through my fear of rejection that I have learned to receive the love of my precious Savior because He will never reject me!

It has been through my insecurity that I have learned a dependence on the living God and the assurance that He will sustain me through any and every circumstance!

I’m still learning about His perfect love and while I’m on this side of heaven, I’ll continue to learn.  But the journey has become far less fearful as I abide and rest in Jesus.

PS:  If you are interested in attending the retreat to which I referred please Face Book “Women 2 Women” for details.  Thank you.

How’s Your Heart?

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”  Prov.4:23

I've just finished doing some painting in my kitchen, and living room.  It’s been several years… OK, more than ten years…. since these rooms were painted.  I must say there is nothing like a fresh coat of paint to make rooms look like new!  Frankly, I was so accustomed to the appearance of the rooms that I really couldn’t “see” them until the fresh paint was applied.  Now it’s apparent that the walls were in dire need of fresh paint!

It occurs to me that our hearts can be in dire need of “fresh paint”.  I can become calloused and hard if I don’t do the daily maintenance to prevent my heart from becoming dingy and dull.  Sitting quietly with Jesus in the Word, in prayer, and talking of spiritual matters with other Christians, helps to protect my heart from the dirt (sin) and pollution (world) in which I live.  Confession and repentance of the sins allows the Lord to purify me daily.  Monitoring the unhealthy influences of TV, internet, and other media are the preventive measures I can take to maintain the cleanliness of my heart.  It’s a battle. 

But the moment- to-moment battle guarding my heart is far less exhausting as I allow the love of God to permeate every available space in my heart.  Nothing can preserve the integrity of my heart more than the unfailing unfathomable love of my holy and gracious heavenly Father.  My heart is in His hands.  How’s your heart today?

God’s Presence

“Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.” 2 Chronicles 7:15-16

In my personal devotion reading this past week, I found something that I had never really noticed before.  In 2 Chronicles 7, I read that Solomon had completed construction of the Temple and is dedicating it.  Those of you who have been following my blog know of the struggle to lose weight and the importance of my body being a temple of the Holy Spirit as Paul stated in 1 Corinthians 3:16. 

The Temple was known as the resting place of God’s presence.  And as I strive to bring my “temple” under His authority, I realized that the power and comfort the Temple brought to the nation of Israel is just as accessible for me today!  I was struck by the verses I quoted to open this blog because in these Scripture, I am reassured that He is consecrating this “temple”, His eyes and ears are open to the prayers I offer Him, and His eyes and heart are always with me.  Therefore, I am never abandoned, I am never alone, nor am I a hopeless case when it comes to my weight!

As a matter of fact, I have lost two sizes since January!  But thankfully the size of my “temple” does not determine His presence, nor does my behavior.  His presence is determined by His consecration of me.  According to Dictionary.com, ‘consecration’ means “to make or declare sacred or holy.”  He’s doing the work.  My job is to join Him in the work He’s doing.  Meanwhile, I am enjoying the fruits of His presence and His labors!

The Light Inside

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

I am tired of cloudy, overcast skies!  If you live in New England, you will be able to relate to what I’m talking about: a lack of sunshine.  Rainy, grey, heavily overcast skies have prevailed, with no sun for days on end.  Then for half a day the sun will shine and it feels like we are finally turning a corner, until the next morning and the fog is as thick as pea soup and the skies are again leaden with clouds.  That has been our reality this month and yes I know things are awful weather-wise all around the country, but as I contemplated our weather specifically, I was reminded just how much we humans long for the sun to shine!

But as always, God had a message in those clouds for me.  Do I remember that I carry the light of life within me?

Do you?

Truthfully, I don’t always live like that is my reality.  A question in my heart was asked: how much has Jesus shined in me this week, month, or year?  I have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit!  How is the light escaping into the darkness of a hurting world?  Do I love my neighbor?  Am I seeking to make peace and extend forgiveness?  How about my prayer life?  Am I living as a servant to all those around me? 

I am carrying the light of the world within me.  May God empower me to allow His Son to shine with His purpose and for His glory!

Holding On to Promises

“Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”          2 Peter 1:4

As I shared previously, my precious Savior reveals truths to me through the most unusual methods.  My last post was a lesson in letting go.  Today we will focus on a lesson in holding on.

Just about a month ago, Bob and I added a new member to our family.  Kirby, a miniature Schnauzer arrived and quickly stole our hearts!  As any puppy will do, he loves to play tug-of-war.  At 15 weeks of age, I have been impressed by the strength of this tiny dog as he holds on to his toys for dear life!    Frankly, I could learn a lesson from this little fellow.  He holds on to the promise of getting his toy with a tenacity that puts me to shame.

How many times have I forgotten to hold on to the promises of God: who He says He is, who He says I am, and the wondrous depths of His love for me.

And for you!

When doubts enter in to our thinking, Satan has an open door to wreak havoc with our minds and with our faith.  There is no better moment to latch on to the promises we know and hold on with all of our might or even with the least strength, for when we are weak, God’s strength is displayed (2 Cor. 12:9-11).  Remember, it only takes a mustard-seed sized faith for God to change the world!