Not of fear.

     We as a human race have a problem. We worry. We fear. We worry about finances, jobs, school, family, friends, appearances, etc. We fear the future, changes, decisions. This fear and worry causes us to react a certain way, to treat others and ourselves a certain way. It makes for a world full of anxious, angry, and constantly stressed people... even Christians.
     Alright, why did I write those last two words? Because we do it too: we worry about things just as much as an unbeliever because we're human too. I'll admit it: I can be very fearful, anxious, worried, agitated, nervous, etc. I get this way so easily, but I always have an excuse: "I'm not feeling good." or "It's just my anxiety, leave me alone." These feelings cause me to be unkind or plain mean to people and eventually I realize what I said or did and try to make up for it.
     I worry about money, about the future, about not having something I should (or feel I should) have, about how I look, about my family, about my friends, about people, about our world, our society and culture, the church as a whole, etc.
     I over think little things that do not matter, or analyze a person or action or word so much that it leads to obsession. "This person said this, but what if they didn't mean this, they meant that. How will I figure out which definition of this word they meant? What about their tone of voice or facial expressions? Did I look stupid while they were saying this? What if I made it weird?" I know. Almost worthy of a a slap across my face to get me thinking straight again.

But then God reminded me of something...

I have been given a beautiful and wonderful gift. 

That spirit of fear and anxiety and worry is not a part of me anymore.

I belong to my beloved Jesus.

My Father is making me righteous...

(slowly, but surely)...

which means I can be bold... courageous... fearless.

"I'm no longer a slave to fear,

I am a child of God. (2x)

I am surrounded

By the arms of the Father.

I am surrounded

By songs of deliverance.

We've been liberated

From our bondage.

We're the sons and the daughters

Let us sing our freedom.

You split the sea

So I could walk right through it.

My fears are drowned in perfect love.

You rescued me

And I will stand and sing:

I am a child of God."
(No Longer Slaves, Bethel Music)
   

     Because I am a child of God, I can be bold and strong and determined and confidant and brave and loving and kind and peaceful and joyful and everything else! The Spirit of God is living in me and enabling me to be those things, leading me to a life full of control of my human self, and freedom in Jesus. Wow. Paul wrote to Timothy and said: "...for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:6-7, ESV).

     So here are three steps I am starting to take in my life and I hope you will be encouraged to do them yourselves:

1. Recognize that those negative things in your life are real. They are a part of your human state and they are genuine. Jesus knew that we would struggle with worry and fear and He told us what to do about it: "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." When we understand and acknowledge that those things are real and are a piece of us, then we can learn to take them to Jesus. (Matthew 11:25-30). Ignoring them or pushing them aside does not help anyone, especially yourself.

2. Take them to Jesus and leave them there. Understand that this is where they need to stay; do not try to take them back and handle it yourself. (This is the hardest part.) Build your foundation on the fact that those things are in God's hands now and not your own. He is with you and is replacing those feelings of worry and fear with ones of courage and Christ-likeness (I don't think that's a word, but you get it.)

"Fear not, I am with thee; O be not dismayed,

for I am thy God and will still give thee aid.

I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,

upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand."

(How Firm a Foundation)

3. Embrace the spirit of power and love and grace and self-control and boldness that He gives us instead! Take those things He has given you and utilize them! Use your gifts and talents! Speak out for Him. Do something you have never been brave enough to do! Be bold! Be Spirit-filled and led! Be awesome! Be beautiful! Be incredible! Be who God made you to be!

One of my favorite verses.

     One last thought... He is faithful. He is right there. He gets it. Your Heavenly Father is going to keep His promises to you. It might not be an overnight thing. It might take a long time. It's not something you can just learn and move on. Trust is a continual thing. Letting go can take a long time. Replacing fear and worry and anxiety with courage and peace and joy can take a long time, but hold on. Hold on to the promise of God's faithfulness. 

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering,

for He who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23

Remember Who you belong to... Be a child of the everlasting, almighty King today!

~ Abby

It's not just salvation.

   This thought has been going through my heart the last few days... Being a Christian is not about just asking Christ to forgive your sins. Yes, that makes you saved, but you cannot be an example of Christ like we are called to be if you do not follow what the Bible says (Matthew 5:14-16; Psalm 1; James 4:17; Romans 12:1,2). Matthew 6:24 says it like this: No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord]. (Amplified translation)

   Living for Christ should be the first priority in your life, over anything and everything else. Sometimes, we have to give everything up and we don't want to. We like where we live, what we do and say, how we act, who our friends are, our comfortable habits and activities. But that's not what living for God is. It's not just "Well I asked Jesus into my heart when I was 5 so I can do whatever now." Living for Christ is you living as an example of Him to others. Jesus met a young man who wanted to know what he should do to enter into heaven. Here's the story:

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Mark 10:17-22)

   We have to make sacrifices. We cannot hold onto the things of this world and still serve the Lord completely. Does this mean that we have to sell everything, live in a shack, and be a missionary in a third-world country? Maybe. Maybe that's what He calls you to do. Maybe He wants you to give up a habit you have, or an activity that takes away your time. Maybe He wants you to stop having certain friends or watching or listening to certain things. Maybe all the free time you spend on your electronics could be sacrificed for something greater. Maybe you need to give more of your time, money, and effort to Christ. Belonging to Him requires an actual sacrifice on our part. We cannot live the way our selfish flesh wants to and still serve Him the way He wants us to. So what's more important to you?

   Sometimes, I feel like this is a topic that is discussed too much and people get tired of hearing it so they tune it out. But listen. If you want to truly, I mean honestly and seriously, live for the Lord and bring glory to His name and be a better witness, try giving something up that you really love. I mean really enjoy doing or saying or whatever. Think about it like this - Jesus gave up everything, the entire universe, Who He was, so that He could come down to this sin-filled, nasty, greedy world and save a bunch of rotten-to-the-core people who abandoned Him and treated Him like the dirt under their feet. Think about that and then look around you - what are you holding on to that you don't want to give up?

...If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me... (Luke 9:23)

   Following Christ isn't easy. People will not like you. They'll wonder why you don't do this or say that, or watch this movie or tv show, or listen to this music. They'll wonder why you're not dating this person or dressing this way or etc., etc., etc. That's the point. In the world but not of it (John 17:14-17). We're not supposed to be like everyone else and that requires something on our part. The Lord isn't going to change you if you don't want to change. 

   Maybe this is something you know God wants you to work on - if so, seek Him more. Maybe this is not something you struggle with but I know I do. My prayer in connection with this thought for myself is this: Lord, help me understand this better in my heart and mind. Strengthen my soul in Yourself and Your Word. Help me to know what I need to give up so all the glory goes to You alone. Through Jesus' name I pray, Amen. 

Blessings, 

Abby