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Abundant Life
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Day 17 - Pressing Through Fear
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world
you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
We
live in a fallen broken world (Genesis 1-3), we are broken people, and
we live and rub shoulders with them all the time! Some of them have
very broken minds and commit unspeakable evil against others. Unfortunately
sometimes it's in the name of God. It is outrageous, it makes God angry, and it grieves
Him! He does not rejoice in any of it!
Another consequence of living in a fallen and broken world is that all of humanity is born in rebellion against God and is separated from God (Romans 5:19 & Ephesians 2:12-14) . Some of those who are still in rebellion against God are so angry towards Him and especially His son Jesus that they rejoice in persecuting His children. Jesus explains this for us when He says in John 17:14 "I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." Lord, forgive them for they know not what they do! (Acts 7:60).
Not only are we humans broken the whole creation is fallen and broken and moans and groans for redemption (For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now" Romans 8:22). As a result there are earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes etc...that devastate whole cities, towns, and villages.
With the increase of evil, persecution, and natural disasters it's easy to become anxious and fearful. That's true no matter where you are at in life. Whether you are a young college woman who has to worry about whether you'll have money for next semester or how you will get from one end of campus to the other now that it's dark. If you are a working woman you might fear losing your job or being alone for the rest of your life. If your a married woman you might fear you'll never have children or being stuck with the man you married for the rest of your life. If your a parent of an infant your most likely afraid they may not wake up from their sleep, or what if someone harms them, or takes them. If your a parent of an older child it may be that you fear them making bad choices that will affect the rest of their lives. Or maybe they have and are now facing the consequences and you are fearful about their future. Or maybe God is asking you to do something and your to afraid to step out in faith and do it.
Today, when I dropped my youngest son off at school I had a sudden urge to grab him and bring him home. At the same time I had a (somewhat) irrational fear that something bad would happen if I didn't. The fear and urge to resuce him came out of nowhere. I pushed through it shrugging it off, went home and with eyes filled with tears asked my husband to pray for me and our son. If he wouldn't have been home I would have had to call a good friend, because the irrational fear lingered on. And guess what ladies my son is now home from school after having a great day!
I share this with you, because I think we are all alike in this. Or maybe it's just me...we all have read, heard or watched the aweful stories on the news of school shootings, children being kidnapped, etc... and though they may be few and far between we can't help, but worry what if it were my kid? My daughters school has had bomb threats two years in a row. The last time they caught the student and it was just a joke. Here's the thing though that makes us anxious: there have been way to many very real tragic shootings!
O.k. so bringing it home now for you!
pray. Give thanks to him. Then God’s peace will watch over your hearts and
your minds because you belong to Christ Jesus. God’s peace can never
be completely understood."
Philippians 4:6-7
If were walking in the abundant life that is ours in Christ we will fly to God with every anxious thought and fear. We will run to Him in confidence and boldness knowing that He loves us and wants to give us the peace of Christ. But it also means that, we will press through our fears about what trouble may be waiting for us around the corner. This is one that I am learning more and more. That is, that the victory over fear is not the elimination of the feeling, but pressing through it!
"Nothing is more courageous then doing the right thing even when we're terrified.
Nothing is more godly than facing our fears even when our fears are not eliminated"
Bob Kellemen
It's true we do live in difficult days! Dear One, know that God has a plan and He is in ultimate control! He does not rejoice in violence or suffering. Rather time keeps moving forward because He's waiting for the last of His beloved prodigal and rebellious children to come home to Him! Maybe that's you?
Meanwhile while we live and serve Christ let's take on the same attitude of the Apostle Paul who once persecuted Christians and who himself once converted to Christianity suffered persecution which included beatings. He said this about living or dying - " For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose" (Philippians 1:21-22).
I don't know about you, but I want to live my life in such a way that I can say as Paul that to continue living on is fruitful labor for me. Lord, may we so walk in the abundant life flying to you with all our fears as well as pressing through them so that we may be fruitful for you and your kingdom!
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never
leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You."
Isaiah 26:3
Thanks for this Kim!
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