Can You Control the Tightrope? Or Do You Fall into the Abyss?

In life, there is a tightrope we walk. A rope of faith and hope where below us there is an abyss of worry and fear. You might feel wobbly in your faith (unsure of what is coming next - which is doubt). You might feel unsteady and try to step backwards into the past looking only at "what worked before" rather than stepping forward into the unknown in faith. Or you can free fall into the abyss of worry and fear, always falling, but never, ever reaching the steady ground. The choice is yours.

The phrase "Fear not" is mentioned 365 times in the Bible. Think of the beauty of that in God's word. He has given you a "Fear not" for each day of your year. He wants you to remember daily to release fear and trust. "But," you might say to me, "You do not understand what I am going through."
I may not, but God does.

My main question to you is this, "Have you given control of this fear or worry to God?"  I find in my own life, I often hold on tight to the biggest concerns or fears. I kinda pray about them, but mostly I try to solve it on my own (searching the internet for answers and researching; asking multiple people for their opinions; etc). Do you see how in this situation it is I who is trying to control the situation? I'm sure you can all imagine how well this goes when I follow this philosophy. Needless to say, I am not walking in faith when I do this and I worry more and rest less. In addition, my way is NEVER better than when I release it to God.

Let's go back to the tightrope analogy. In life, daily, you have choices. You choose what to think, what to wear, what to eat, what to say. You have a choice about walking in faith or falling into the abyss of fear. You can try to control your stance and balance on that tightrope all on your own will or you release the worry and truly trust God to keep your footing steady and solid. Doesn't He already know everything? Can't you think of a time when He truly protected you? Doesn't He have absolutely your best interests at heart? Doesn't He love you more deeply than the ocean?

Why can we not, together, walk forward and trust? Take your right hand and put it in front of you. Now, put that worry or fear into your hand. Say with me, "God, I trust you. You have never left my side. I give this to you. If I start to think about it or worry, I will hand it back to you. I give up the control and I walk forward in faith powerfully, boldly and with Your great love. AMEN."

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:1b-2 

How to Live in a State of Joy, Peace, and Love

Life, people, circumstances, the words of others, work... so many things can pull us from the natural state God wants us to be in - a state of peace, joy, and love. 

Last night God wanted to remind me of 1 John 4:18, "Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love." (NLT)

I find that I tend to slide into worrying (which is a state of fear). This tendency displays a mindset of wanting to control or "handle" the issues that arise. Perhaps as a child you were taught to solve your own problems, for instance.

But, is that God's view of life and what does all of this have to do with his perfect love? 

Do you understand how deep and wide and full is the love that God has for you?

At one point in my thirties, I read that verse "I have loved you with an everlasting love;Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you and continued My faithfulness to you."(Jeremiah 31:3, AMP). I suddenly understood God really does love me no matter what I have thought, said, or done. 

What does it look like to not only understand this with head knowledge, but to truly embrace it? 

The bottom line is, you matter to God. YOU do! You are not worthy WHEN. You are worthy NOW.

That, in itself, can be a hard concept to grasp and agree with - especially if you have always seen yourself as a driven person. 

Now, let's return to the initial topic. What is running your life right now? What is running your brain? Could it be fear or worry? Could it be to provide the perfect life for your kids or have your house looking the way it "should"?

What would happen if just chose to stop thinking that way. It isn't easy. Your mind is a battlefield, but what you choose to meditate on really does alter your state of peace, joy, and love. When a thought or something comes up, instead of trying to solve the problem yourself, could you take a deep breath and just ask God for the next step? Or if it is an unfounded worry (such as something the could happen in the future, but is not true or real) could you take any Bible verse you know and say it to yourself instead? Replace the yuck with truth. 

Take a step forward with me to choose joy, peace, and love over worry and control. #renewyourmind #changeyourmindsets #youareworthit

Your Best Case Scenario

What is your best case scenario when you think about your life? Success in your career? Perhaps another degree? Your children's accomplishments?
These are what the world values. But, what is God's best case scenario for your life? What is your destiny from God's perspective?
God's plans for us are WAY bigger than anything we could have ever thought was possible when looking at life from an earthly perspective.
How do you discover God's plans for you? There are multiple ways:
1. Prophetic words might have been spoken over you or to you. Remember when someone gives you these types of words you must always test them -- are they edifying and glorifying God? Do they ring true in your heart through the Holy Spirit? Have other words confirmed the same message? Do the words line up with scripture?
2. You can ask God what He wants you to know about you. Do you know how to hear God? Can you be still before Him? Click here if you are not sure how to hear God. Be sure to write down whatever you see or hear - even if it is weird or doesn't make sense.
3. Fill your life and heart by listening to praise music, audio bible, and sermons. Pay attention to when your heart feels full or your eyes fill with tears. Note what is resonating with you. What does God want you to gain at that moment? What does God want you to know?
4. Spend 5 minutes each day just daydreaming and writing. If you could live anywhere where would it be? Have you ever longed to visit a certain country or place? If you could do anything and not have to worry about money or other life details - what would you do? God places desires in our hearts that tie right into His plans for us.
5. Do some life mapping. This is basically a word web. Think of all areas of your life. What is the best case scenario for you physically, emotionally, spiritually? What is the best case scenario for you in your love life? In your family? Professionally? What hobbies could tie into this best case scenario?

Basically, what I am encouraging you to do is go deep with God. God has so many plans for us. We can choose to see right in front ourselves and do the same thing we have always done in life and basically just survive each day. Or we can truly thrive by stepping out of the comfort zone into the great unknown of what God has for us. Can you take some time to reflect on this? Can you set your heart on things above? God wants to give you your best case scenario. TRUST. LISTEN. REST. REALIZE.

How to REALLY Trust God...

I was just praying and felt very convicted. I have been worrying about something. God has told me He's got this.
Why do our hearts get so troubled? God wants us to truly rest and let Him take whatever ails us.
I know this in my head, but how can I really DO this?
1. Let go of ALL fear - you may need to work on holding ANY thought captive that resembles fear or worry. For me, I sometimes get into a pattern of worry. Not okay to worry at all. Drop the fear and trust.
2. Rest - rest in the midst of your trouble. What does this look like? What is your pattern when you are troubled? Do you relentless search the internet for answers? Do you call multiple friends and tell them about your concerns? Do you get very busy or frantically clean (one of my neighbors used to do that when her heart was troubled). What would it look like to rest - really rest? Trust.
3. Stop being stubborn. Has God told you the way to solve the problem and you refuse to take the next step. Are you arguing with God about the next step? What if falling into His arms and truly trusting Him is the answer?
4. Stop trying to solve the problem at all. I often look for solutions and ask for many people's opinions. God has told me to STOP completely. There is no peace when one is running around trying to find the answer.

What about you? Is there a problem in your life that you feel fear or worry about? What does God want you to know about the situation? Can you give it to him, really relinquishing it, and simply trust?

Stepping into Your Destiny

What has God called you to do in life? Often God's plans for us are way bigger and completely different than the life/job we are currently in.
How do you know what God has in store for you? Do you spend time daily, or perhaps even weekly, being still in silence before Him to listen. [If you feel you cannot hear God ever or very infrequently hear Him, please go here].
As you begin to explore the future and His ideas for you, you might begin to upset your current life -- for instance, the status quo of your family system. Initially, I shared with too many people what God was showing me. This did a couple of things - it provided some naysaying, it dampened my excitement, and it caused me to doubt.
People, in general, are afraid of the unknown. But, when God truly is our leader - He says, "Fear not for I am with you!" Consider sharing your revelations with only a select few.
Take time today. Ask God, "What do you want me to know about you?" and "What do you want me to know about me?" Have paper ready, write what you see or hear. If something does not make sense, just ask God what it means.
Watch your world open up and change as you step into who you were really meant to be!

Fear Feeds Fear

Have you ever noticed if you begin to focus on a fear or a worry, it seems to grow? Satan feeds our fears. We have a choice if we want to believe them or firmly put a stop to them. Where does God weigh in on the subject of fear?

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control." 2 Timothy 1:7

If you are feeling fearful, stop and breathe. Center yourself through prayer. Know that fear is NEVER from God. Rather God has given us power, love, calm, a well-balanced mind, and self-control. 

Spend some time with God and ask Him what you are truly afraid of. Then, ask God to show you what he wants you to know about these fears. [Not sure if you know how to hear God's voice? Click here].

Fear does nothing good and seems to lead me away from God. God is always telling me to trust. If I get stuck thinking about a fear/worry over and over again, God's peace seems further away. But, this is not the way it has to be. I have found what works for me to stop whatever I am doing and spend just a few minutes centering in on God and releasing the worry to Him. I actually visualize myself handing him the problem and just dropping it into His capable hands. 

Then I, literally, hold out my right hand and imagine taking hold of His. "For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13. It is true, God is here to be our ever-present help, the great counselor, and loving father. I repeat to myself, "Do NOT fear." For I feel, this is a command of peace from God. He encourages me to let Him handle the worry and to rest in His peace. 

If the fear comes back, I hold it captive and repeat the process above. With stubborn fears, you may have to do this several times. Also, I feel worrying is a bad habit. Therefore, with any habit there will be a learning curve as you break through the pattern and then it is finally gone.

Stuck in Sadness? Stuck in Sickness?

Are you feeling stuck? Do you feel sick or stuck in pattern of sadness/anxiety? Are you stuck in a job or feel like your relationship is stuck?
God wants to release you into a sense of true freedom. Staying stuck is not his destiny for you at all.
How to get unstuck:
1. Spend some time being still with God to ask Him what He wants you to know about your life. (Not sure how to hear God's voice - click here). How does He see you? (Not sure who you are in Christ? Click here and here).
2. Actively choose to agree with these things God reveals to you. This means you will have to throw away the brain trash of condemnation because God has never had a bad thought about you. Try replacing the negative with a truth God has revealed. For instance, "Oh that was so stupid. I'm so dumb." Instead, grab those words and throw them out the door and say, "I have the mind of Christ. I made a mistake and now I have learned how to do that differently next time."
3. Reach out for help. If you are sick and stuck - I would like you to email me or look at visiting your local prayer center. It is never God's will for us to be sick.
4. Listen to and sing worship music. Praising God is a powerful tool and weapon. Oftentimes chains will fall off simply from freely worshipping God. What if you do not have access worship? Please go at any time of the day to IHOP's live streaming. This is such an amazing place and you really will be blessed simply from listening and praising God through livestream. Or check out Wind and Fire at praise/equipping times 7 AM and PM and 8 AM and PM daily.

In my next blog entry, I will post about exercise. Feeling we cannot exercise is a huge stronghold the enemy holds over us - which actually makes us more sick/sad.