Category: Fear/Don’t Fake Brave

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Wisdom, Worship

Red Sea Rescue

Reading through God’s word again this year means I am now in Exodus! This is always a great read, though it can be intense reading about Pharaoh’s evil heart and how he put his whole nation against God and led them into judgment.

Still, the story is more about God’s power and love for His people. The nation of Israel waited hundreds of years for God to rescue them, and I’m sure it must’ve felt like He was never going to come through for them. But, He always keeps His promises!

God rescued His people at just the right time (Exodus 2:24-25). Then, He led them through the desert as an alternating pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Despite their almost immediate grumbling, complaining, and greediness (manna and quail), He still showed them grace.

Sand, Beach, Ocean, Water, Footprints, Beach Sand

And, when they faced certain death from the Egyptians at the Red Sea, God made a way for them. Not only did He part the waters and kill the Egyptians, He already had the plan in place before He moved on their behalf. (He created the Red Sea and led them to it, after all!)

Exodus 14:14 (NLT) says, “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Some other versions say to be silent or to be still. But, while God did the heavy work, Israel still had to choose to obey Him and pick up their feet. They couldn’t remain ‘statues’ of fear. They had to move forward and do what He said. Notice they were told to walk; they were not told to swim across.

It’s sometimes easy to roll our eyes at the Israelites and question how they could possibly doubt God’s love and provision for them. But, we do the same thing!

Red Sea, Coast, Egypt, Water, Travel, Beach, Landscape

On Monday, I heard the song, “Egypt,” by Cory Asbury. It felt like perfect timing, as it coincided with my reading and reminded me how much God has done for me.

He steps in to protect me daily, even when I don’t perceive Him or thank Him. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake (Psalm 23) and prepares me for what lies ahead. 

God will move Heaven and Earth to do whatever it takes to rescue me, not so I can do whatever I want, but so I can worship Him and do what He created me to do.

Like Joyce Meyer writes in her book, Battlefield of the Mind, we have to take control of our emotions and take our thoughts captive. Otherwise, we will stay stuck in the wilderness like the Israelites did and never reach the Promised Land. Yes, eventually, even God was tired of their complaining!!

Jesus is our Rescuer, and every Victory is His! No matter what happens, He is trustworthy and always on time… So, stay calm. God’s got this, and He is leading you to freedom!

**********

God, thank You for rescuing us and for doing all the work for us.

Questions: What is your “Red Sea Rescue” story? Can you see all the ways God has brought you through?

Tasks: Listen to the song linked above and check out the book, too! Then, listen to this message (Q &A) by Joyce Meyer!

Posted on in Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Small, But Significant

I am reading through the Chronological Bible again this year, and so I find myself in the book of Job. Even though it is full of suffering, it is also quite rich when we see it tied to purpose and perspective!

In short, Job was a wealthy and generous man who lost everything in a matter of hours. His sons, daughters, servants, and most of his property were gone. Soon, his health was attacked, too. How miserable!

It seems Job felt vulnerable and misunderstood, and it probably felt like God had forgotten him. I know how that feels, and maybe you do, too!

To make matters worse, Job had no support! His wife said he should curse God and die. Even his friends were awful, though perhaps they had a few good things to say. Yet, mostly they chided Job, thinking he must’ve brought all his tragedy on himself (that God was punishing him). With friends like Job’s, who needs enemies?!

Aurora Borealis, Northern Lights, Aurora, Northern

Now, we could spend our time comparing stories of how certain parts of our lives remind us of Job. But, to be honest, most of us haven’t suffered so many losses in such a short time. Though, it sure feels that way sometimes!

Either way, I don’t want to minimize our collective sorrow, and there is no contest here. Instead of one-upping each other with grief stories, let’s love one another.

As a reminder, there are many kinds of loss, including finances, divorce, death, unfulfilled expectations or dreams, and more. Each is difficult, and we all need Jesus.

Thankfully, our suffering is not for nothing. There is usually so much more going on behind the scenes. Still, God will use our pain for a new purpose. We can trust Him, and He won’t let us down.

Aurora, Polar Lights, Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis

Here are a few takeaways from Job so far: Despite all the calamity, pain, and doubts, Job kept working out his faith. Thus, he also had hope. He said, “I know my redeemer lives…”

Job lived around the time of Genesis. So even before salvation was here (Jesus Christ), He trusted God even when he could not see.

God Himself said Job was blameless and upright; there was no one like him. But still, he suffered major losses.

As Job later found out, he and everything he knew was quite small compared to God’s majesty and wisdom! Indeed, I love the end of Job when it’s God’s turn to defend Himself.

I find myself smiling at God’s questions to Job about creation and the natural world. An example, in my paraphrase: Have you seen the ostrich I made? She’s a terrible mom and kind of spacey… but wow, she’s a great runner! 😉 See the actual verses in context here!

Yet, through His discourse, God reminds Job (and us) that He has everything under control. In fact, the book of Job is less about his suffering and more about God’s character.

When suffering occurs, it is easy to focus on our problem and forget that God is greater and above it all. But in Job, we see though we are small, we are significant to God.

Whatever you are going through today, remember you are not alone. It may be the fight of your life, but God sees you. God hears you. He is with you and for you. Let Him comfort and carry you today.

**********

God, amid sorrow and suffering, draw me close. When I can’t bear the burden, help me bring it to You. Be my strength and comfort and peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: When you think of all the losses you have faced, can You see how God carried you through? How does that knowledge help you in your current circumstances?

Task: Listen to this song, but Nicole C. Mullen. It’s a classic!

Posted on in Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Perseverance, Wisdom

Never Stop Learning

Sometimes there are those moments where you realize, “God’s not done with me yet.” Perhaps you survived a life-threatening event, or perhaps it’s just that you have more to learn. I’m sure there are many instances in between these two examples!!

In my case, lately, I have been learning more about all sorts of topics. These include health, nutrition, cooking, and also God’s Word, the Bible. I have even been playing around with calligraphy, painting and photography, too… nothing to show, just learning more about them!

I have also seen little reminders that I need to be vigilant against fear. If you have read my book, you’ll know I handle this much better now. Nonetheless, fear is subtle and I have to constantly be on guard and ready to defeat lies with the Truth.

No worries! Choosing faith over fear is just part of the life to which God is calling us.

Math, Blackboard, Education, Classroom, Chalkboard

Case in point: Have you ever felt like a challenge you are facing is a “perfect storm” situation? Like the situation evolved so “only you” can make a difference, or the battle is yours to lose? Like the situation was designed according to your fears or the problems you face?

I understand, and I am thankful that God Himself helps us carry the burden. But maybe you could think about it this way: Perhaps the problem is tailored to your strengths, to show what you know, so you can become more of who God made you to be.

And, if God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)? Failure isn’t really final if we acquire knowledge and skill. So hang in there!

It seems God lets us walk through trials so He can test us. He sees our gut reactions and if we are relying on Him or ourselves. He “proves” our heart to see if it is still tender and obedient, malleable to His will.

Yes, God uses these challenges to stretch us and prepare us for greater things. And, you know what? He walks through them with us.

I believe we can learn from anyone in any circumstance, what to do or not to do. I often learn from Lydia! One day, she came to me and said, “Mom, did you know the word ‘realize’ is like ‘real eyes’? I loved that she came up with that fitting way of explaining it!

My interpretation of Lydia’s insight is this: When we see our circumstances through our real eyes, that is God’s perspective and Truth, we will realize just how much He loves us and cares for us. He’s not done with us yet!

Our Heavenly Father is our Teacher, Protector, and Provider. He is infinite so there is always something to learn! Every day, we have new opportunities to go deeper with Jesus!

**********

God, thanks for Your patience in teaching me. Help me rely on You in every circumstance. Help me grow and learn so I am not found lacking. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: What is God teaching you right now? What are you doing about that?

Task: Listen to the song, “God’s Not Done with You,” by Tauren Wells. Everyone learns at different paces, so what seems basic to you might seem life-changing for someone else. Maybe that you are struggling with someone else sailed through. Let’s bring encouragement and support!

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom

Grace Upon Grace

A couple of weeks ago, someone sent me a link to a short message about Mary, the mother of Jesus. It was by an evangelist named Brent Carr.

Interestingly, the little blurb mentioned Mary was “highly favored” and then described all the difficulties she faced. She was nearly divorced, rejected by her community, gave birth in a stable, and so on. The author’s point was that favor may imply blessing, but it doesn’t imply an easy road.

Mr. Carr wrote, “Favor never looks like favor at first. Favor sometimes takes you through frustration, failure, and fear.” I can certainly relate to all three of those!

In the Bible, the word for favor is linked with grace (see the word: chairs). I prefer using the word grace, but favor reminds me of the word ‘favorite.’ I imagine God smiling down at me, not necessarily to give me everything I want, but to make sure I have everything I need.

Like buying a new snowblower… but still having to use it! 😉

God’s grace, or favor, isn’t always obvious. It’s sometimes intangible, like knowing God is with us or trusting Him to protect us or provide for us. Usually, it involves a situation that makes us test, or prove, those truths. Yes, our struggles can show us God’s love and grace.

Lately, resting in God’s grace has meant taking off work a few days to let Lydia recover from an illness. Favor means not worrying about my workload when I get back… I am glad for a good team to cover for me, though I usually like to be the one offering to help!

Grace has meant keeping the house calm and peaceful for Lydia, but also knowing there are benefits for me, too. My to-do list is neverending, so it has been good for me not to push too hard in the last week. Instead, I was able to rest, too. We watched some television, but we also read and napped.

On Monday, Lydia still wasn’t 100%, so I took another day off from work (in addition to Wednesday/Thursday last week). Her doctor was closed because of blizzardy weather, so I took it as a sign to stay home, safe and warm. Indeed, her daycare (the Y) opened late and closed early, so I would’ve missed most of work anyway!

It’s good to know when to rest, but it’s also good to know when to push ourselves forward. If God makes the opportunity clear, we can trust He will provide. Even if we don’t have all the answers or know all the details.

So, yesterday, Lydia felt marginally better, still coughing and a little lethargic but fever-free! I knew that we needed to try and make it to work and daycare. We got all ready and were in the car, only to find out my car battery had died!

I sent Lydia inside to rest and stay warm, while I texted a couple of friends for input. One of them asked if I had a charger. I hadn’t thought about it, but God brought to mind something I had walked by dozens of times. Sure enough, I DID have a car battery charger! By God’s grace, Dave had bought one years ago, and I was able to figure out how to use it.

Of course, I rolled into work late, but even then, there was grace and favor. After dropping off Lydia, I stopped to buy a new car battery since mine was 8+ years old. (The average lifespan of a car battery is two to five years, so that’s another level of grace!) The third store had what I needed, and a sales associate kindly agreed to help me install it. Never mind the temperature was several degrees below zero!

Reflecting on all of this, I am grateful we didn’t have to cancel many plans while Lydia was sick. It was a holiday break but we celebrated in Illinois earlier in the month. I am also thankful I didn’t go out on Monday and have my car die then. God knew it would not be good for us to be stuck on the road with a dead battery, all while Lydia wasn’t feeling well! Plus, I was able to use some Christmas money I received to pay for the battery! Bonus!

John 1:16 says God gives us grace upon grace. Instead of focusing on our problems, let’s focus on Jesus and trust Him to be all we need. Come to Him with a heart full of gratitude!

**********

Father God, thank You for your grace. You take such good care of us.

Questions: Where do you see God’s grace and favor in your life this week? Have you stopped to thank Him or tell someone how gracious He is?

Tasks: Whatever you are doing, pause and praise God! In good times and bad, thank Him for the goodness and grace He brings to your life!

 

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom, Words, Worship

Christmas with The Chosen

This past Sunday afternoon, Lydia and I went to the local movie theater to see “Christmas with The Chosen.”  I told her we were voting with our dollars in support. But, I received so much more. It was so good, and I am still thinking about how much I loved it.

The first hour (of two) was primarily a mix of classic Christmas songs with a few new ones. There was a variety of contemporary singers from several backgrounds. I didn’t expect that much singing, but I enjoyed seeing people worshiping God on the big screen! That was a first!

Nativity Scene, Crib, Barn, Joseph, Maria, Silhouettes

Here are just a few of the highlights for me:

Phil Wickham was the opening singer. I love several of his songs and even had one of them as my morning alarm sound (before I put my old phone in the microwave!). On-screen, he somehow reminded me of my neighbor boys (in the future grown-up), both in appearance and style. When I think of him now, I will remember to pray God’s blessings in their young lives.

Brandon Lake’s song, “Gratitude,” is a new favorite. He sang about praising God when we have nothing else to give. Such a timely message. As he sang, I thought: “There are probably a number of people in my life who have never seen a man worship like that.” It was a powerful song, done in a way that is uncommon.

I loved seeing Matt Maher in the lineup. He is so funny and full of joy, yet his lyrics bring a certain gravity, unlike many other artists. For instance, the lyrics to his song, “Lord I Need You” are hanging up next to the mirror in my bathroom. After Dave died, I didn’t always have the words to convey what I felt, but that song was a reflection of my heart. I loved seeing Matt dance and have fun while singing and playing his guitar. To me, it was a portrayal of Jesus (both man and God) being full of life and love.

It was fun to see For King and Country, Jordan Feliz, the Bonner family, Maverick City Music, Caine, We Are Messengers, and more. In all, I loved seeing many different ages, cultures, and skin colors represented. Young and old, that’s how Heaven is going to be. The Kingdom of God is for everyone.

Christian, Picture, Historical, Bible, Christianity

There were four amazing monologues by actors in the show. I don’t know which I loved more. Each was so well done.

One of the monologues was about Israel’s history and the darkness, oppression, and isolation they felt under Roman rule. God had been silent for four hundred years, so there was little hope left. Then, Jesus came.

Another actor discussed Shalom, God’s peace, which is transcendent of our circumstances. It is a wholeness and a rightness, that only He can bring. Only Jesus makes the Shalom of God available.

The actual portrayal of Mary and Joseph in the nativity story is one I will be thinking about for some time. The show highlighted their love for each other but also was very real. (Example: Joseph had to clear animal poop out of the way so Mary could lie down.) It was scary and awkward at times for these mere humans, but they were willing to let God work His plan in them and through them.

Some of the movie was related to the birth of Christ, and other scenes were set in the future (after Jesus ascended back to Heaven). The cinematography and storyline were just right. It was fun to see some of the regular characters again and meet some new ones!

The show was overwhelming in the best way possible. I enjoyed showing Lydia a new way to experience God and worship Him! In all, I highly recommend “Christmas with The Chosen” in the theater if you can squeeze it in before Friday (December 10th). Otherwise, it will soon be available the free app!

**********

God, thanks for a fresh Christmas perspective; it’s all about Jesus! May we honor all He is to us and for us. In His Name, Amen

Questions: Have you watched The Chosen? (There are two seasons so far, with more to come!) Have you been to the movies lately?

Task: If you haven’t already checked out The Chosen show, download the app today! (Android or iPhone) I hope seeing Jesus in a new way will bring you comfort and peace this season.

Posted on in Books and Movies I Like, Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward book, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Miscellaneous, Perseverance

Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward Book!!

Surprise!! It’s finally time for my big announcement, and I am so excited!

My book, Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward, is available for purchase! The book captures a two-year period of dealing with (my late husband) Dave’s cancer and my subsequent grief. At times, I didn’t know how I would make it.

During a time filled with chemo and chaos, I nearly walked away from my faith. But, God proved Himself over and over again. Despite my doubts, He came through for us!

Yes, it is a sad story at times, but I wanted to chronicle what happened for Lydia and inspire others. We all go through rough times on this side of Heaven, and it helps knowing someone understands. All hope is not lost!

Currently, your best way to buy Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward is to order through Barnes and Noble. I spent countless hours at our local B&N bookstore writing and editing with my laptop and a cup of coffee. So, it feels incredible to see my book online!

Announcing my book TODAY is significant for several reasons.

First, Lydia’s tenth birthday is coming up, and I wanted to beat that milestone. So much happened in the first two-and-a-half years of her life, and it just seems right to keep this project contained to her first decade. That way, we can officially close that chapter and keep moving forward.

Second, we are in the beginning stages of the holidays, and I want my book to be available before all the craziness starts. For some, it may be just what they need. That said, if a friend of yours is dealing with cancer, grief, or some other trauma, perhaps get your copy first and then consider how it may affect them. The book could certainly be helpful for your friend, but I would never want to add to their emotional turmoil. In that case, maybe filter out a few nuggets of truth for them until the timing is better.

My third reason is a little more personal. Today marks twenty-five years since my dear friend, Seth, died in an accident. (Part of me feels like it was just yesterday; it doesn’t seem I should be old enough to account for twenty-five years!) So, when I saw November 17th is today, a Wednesday, it felt like God’s timing. The book does not entail Seth’s tragedy, yet in my story, I mention how that loss helped me process Dave’s death. So, in my mind, they are somewhat connected.

The fourth reason is simply that there’s no time like the present. This project was complex and took me a while to finish. I had much to learn about writing and publishing a book. Grief and being a single mom were factors, not to mention work, household duties, and various levels of motivation. But, in the end, perfect conditions don’t exist. Something always comes up, and I am just going for it!

Finally, my fifth reason is that I need to continually challenge myself! It’s risky to put myself out there, but I don’t have to be afraid. I am covered with God’s grace. He goes ahead of me and He’s right beside me simultaneously. By faith, I need to release my book and step out of the way, so He can do what He does best.

In honor of my book launch, I created a new blog PAGE! I loaded it with some key details you might want to know before ordering.

Well, that’s it. I appreciate all your ongoing support, encouragement, and prayers!

**********

God, thanks for all the ways You have brought me through. You are so good and faithful. Would You please use my story to help others see You at work in theirs? May this book bring You glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: Any guesses on when I started writing my book?! Will you order the black and white version or the deluxe color version?

Tasks: Grab your copy of Fear, Faith, and Moving Forward today! Read more details here. I’d love for you to tag me on Facebook @GraceandLemonade or on Instagram @natalator with a picture of you and my book. Also, please share this post on social media. Goal: Tell at least 15 of your friends! 😉

Posted on in Being Gracious, Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Kindness, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Wisdom, Words

Be Bold, Be Brave

I have a friend who recently took a step back from what she was doing to go in a new direction. Society sometimes tells us what to do or not do, but I am proud of my friend for listening to her heart and following her dream.

God can do far more than we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

But still, it takes guts to go against the grain!

Lake, Mountains, Banff National Park, Islet, Bank

A blessing for her and for anyone who dares to trust God for greater things:

Be bold, be brave! Remember, God is with you and for you!

He is more than able to provide for you with the riches of His grace.

All good gifts come from God. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Breakthrough is coming.

Following God’s plan is sometimes difficult… but it is always worth it.

Work as if it depends on You, and pray as if it depends on Him.

Then, receive what He has for you. He is faithful.

Breakthrough is coming.

Whatever happens, it has passed through God’s hands first.

No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

What is for you… is for you. He will give you everything you need. Trust in Him.

Breakthrough is coming.

Don’t be afraid. Do the difficult thing.

God will help you through it and redeem any pain along the way.

Have courage and be willing to try something new.

Breakthrough is coming.

Lay aside your expectations and stand in faith, knowing God’s plan is best.

It may turn out different than you thought, but He will never let you down.

Rest in Him. Nothing is impossible for Him. He’s got this.

Breakthrough is here.

**********

God, You are King of our hearts and the God of breakthroughs. Nothing is impossible for You! Help us trust You for greater things. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Questions: Have you ever done something so big and life-changing that the only option was to trust God? Looking back, can you see His faithfulness?

Tasks: Print out this blessing and tape it to your mirror, or make your own!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Fruit, Gratitude, Miscellaneous, Parenting, Prayer, Wisdom

Hiccups, Pineapple, and Fear

When I picked up Lydia from daycare on Monday, she had hiccups.

After a couple of moments of listening to her, I told her how I usually get rid of them. I take a deep breath and hold it. Then, I swallow without letting go of the air. Somehow, this resets my diaphragm muscle, which helps my lungs spontaneously fill up and expel the air.

I’m happy to report that Lydia tried my method with success!

Lydia then told me how her friend stops hiccuping. She said that when you have hiccups, thinking of pineapples will make them go away!

I asked Lydia what she meant, and she started yelling: “Pineapples are fruit! Pineapples are yellow! Pineapples are spiky! Pineapples are sweet!”

Go ahead and try it, if you want. Report back if it works! 😉

I laughed and said, “You can do the same thing with fear! You can yell, ‘I won’t be afraid! Jesus loves me! I will not fear!'” Then, I told her how we can speak God’s Word over our fears. By doing so, we exchange fear for faith.

Below, I put a simple list of Bible verses that we can apply to our fears.

Psalm 23:4 (ESV) says, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalm 27:1 (ESV) says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) says, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV) says, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

1 Peter 3:14 (NLT) says, “But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.”

1 John 4:18 (NIV) says, “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.”

Life is full of hiccups, yet we don’t have to be afraid. Sometimes, life is sweet like a pineapple. But even when life gets tough, we can reset and trust God! Breathe in His Word and exhale His strength. 

**********

God, thanks for always taking such good care of me. You are such a good provider. Thank You that I don’t have to be afraid! Help me trust You more. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Question: How do you get rid of the hiccups?

Task: Print out these verses and keep them accessible for the next time you are afraid!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perfectionism, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom, Worship

Symphony

The last few weeks have been full of decisions and solving problems. Most are completely low-key, but just are adding up and taking my brain space. Others are more weighty and have bigger consequences (that may affect my patients, for instance).

Still, that’s not really anything new either… just lately there have been situations I don’t see as often so I have to figure out creative ways to still jump through all the right hoops. All under pressure and time constraints.

I always do my best, but I’ve been feeling a little overwhelmed with all these decisions. There are so many things to remember and boxes to check, both at work and at home. I am generally very thorough, so I don’t like feeling like I’m forgetting something.

Can you say decision fatigue?!

Yesterday, I also had some errands to run after work. I was feeling a little anxious at work and even while I was leaving. Nothing was really wrong, and my day had gone well.  By God’s grace, I accomplished more than I thought I would!

Still, the fact that I almost pulled out in front of a car didn’t help my feeling of unease. The car was moving fast through the parking lot and came from an unexpected direction, but it worried me that I hadn’t noticed until the last minute. It could’ve been disastrous.

I was grateful for God’s protection and prayed He would keep me from making any dumb decisions. I couldn’t really describe what I was feeling, though. So, I turned on the radio, like I often do, and just soaked up God’s love.

I heard four songs in a row that seemed like special messages from the Lord. As I drove, I sang along to “You Say,” by Lauren Daigle. Then, Blanca’s “Even at My Worst” came on. After that, I heard “Good God Almighty,” by David Crowder, always a peppy song. And last, I heard “Symphony” by a band called Switch.

Each song had a specific message and it was as if God was speaking just to me. I hadn’t even realized I was feeling anxious, but the songs helped me bring it all to Jesus.

He knew just what I needed! Zephaniah 3:17

I am so glad God meets us where we are. He gently shows us what’s in our hearts and guides us back to the Truth. It is helpful to pause and listen.

That could mean taking a walk and letting my mind wander back to Jesus. I see His creation, listen to the birds, and sing a little melody of my own back to Him.

I love how God can use chaos and all kinds of circumstances to bring us to a point of peace. We can bring all our weaknesses to Him and take in His strength. Nothing is impossible or too much for God.

I don’t know what you are facing today, but I encourage you to listen to the SYMPHONY He is writing. You may not quite know how it all works out just yet, but it will be beautiful!

**********

Heavenly Father, thanks for Your peace and protection. You are so kind and gracious, Lord. Help me stay close to You. Keep me focused on You and redirect me when I need it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How are you holding up this week? Are you anxious, overwhelmed, tired, or afraid? Do you need to take a step back and regroup?

Tasks: If you are anxious or overwhelmed, listen to one or all of the songs linked above. Let the lyrics wash over and draw you close to Jesus. Don’t forget to breathe!

Posted on in Fear/Don't Fake Brave, Gratitude, Journey of Grace, Life is Short, Miscellaneous, Perseverance, Prayer, Wisdom

Persistence in Prayer

Jesus often woke up early, while it was still dark, to go pray. It surely was the key to His success and gave Him increased fortitude to do His work. Afterall, He came to die.

In Luke 11:1-13, Jesus then teaches His disciples how to pray. The Lord’s prayer is followed by an example of persistence in prayer. This is a well-known passage of Scripture, but sometimes it is difficult to keep praying for something you still don’t see.

For example, sometimes I pray for awhile about something and then move on to other things. It’s not that I forget about them or that I don’t think God will provide for me. Sometimes, I just get distracted by life. Or, on occasion, I can be more focused on the prayer and outcome than I am letting God do the work on my behalf.

Whenever that happens, I lay off praying and just give it to God.  I can trust Him to do all He has planned for me. While I wait, I am patient and obedient.

Then again... what if I am avoiding the issue altogether due to fear? Is fear holding me back from God’s best? Even though what I pray for is good, it will still bring change.

This came to a head last week when I was at the dentist. The hygienist mentioned something I have been praying for off-and-on (trying not too be obsessive!). With her hands in my mouth, I could only listen to her perspective and murmur feedback. 🙂 She’s in a different spot than I am, so it was interesting that we would have similar prayer requests.

Regarding that particular prayer, lately I have been taking a ‘laissez-faire’ approach. I am open minded to receiving a blessing, but I have decided to wait and see what happens.

Then, a few days later, I had a great conversation with someone who reminded me we can’t just sit back and wait for the UPS man to show up with our answer to prayer!

I had to laugh and wholeheartedly agreed. We have to fight for the Promised Land!

But then, I wondered, am I being patient… or complacent? 

On Sunday, the pastor gave some very practical tips on prayer. He mentioned the story of when Jesus cursed the fig tree in Matthew 21:18-22 and soon turned this into a discourse on prayer. Jesus was a master at getting people’s attention!

The pastor reminded us we all have mountains in our lives. He said we are like “mountain movers” when we pray boldly and actively work to get rid of the problem. This kind of prayer does not limit God, but expects He can do anything!

The other option is more comfortable, that is, “mountain maintenance,” where we simply landscape around our issues and make them look prettier, but the problem remains.

Generally, I don’t consider my prayer requests to be mountains, but as I listened, I was inspired and slightly convicted. Acts of faith and obedience honor God.

So, I asked myself:  Which of these options requires a leap of faith?

Furthermore, when God blesses us with answers to prayer, He expects us to bless others, as well. Suddenly, I saw how my prayers could be a statement of faith for future blessing instead of merely staying comfortable due to fear. Wow!

As a result of these recent experiences, I am going to start praying for a vision of all God will do when He answers my prayers. I am not giving Him an ultimatum; I’ll aim to be content and at peace either way.

Still, I can rest in the fact God loves to say YES, and even His NO is an ultimate YES.

Jesus is truly all I need.

Finally, we don’t need all the answers to walk by faith. Thus, my faith is not dependent on the outcome, but I can pray with hope and expect God’s goodness everywhere I go!

**********

God, thanks for letting me join in Your work through prayer and action. Help me pray boldly and with persistence. Give me more of a vision for all You want to do in my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Questions: How would you describe your prayer life? Is it peppered with doubt or is it persistent with faith?

Tasks: Pray boldly and with persistence! Listen to the song, “Believer,” by Rhett Walker.