Answer back! Answer fear with praise!
Close call? That's what happens when we get distracted. Applies to the physical and spiritual realm of life. Whether driving, or planning your day, distraction can disarm us! When I am distracted, I am prone to self sabotage! Now if we are talking about our "old" self, that is good! Galatians 2:20 says,
"My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
The bad thing is when I self sabotage the "new" me. It comes so easily. It's my weak spot! 2 Corinthians 5:17 says,
"This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!"
My CHRONIC PRAYER of "EMPTY ME AND FILL WITH THEE," is a very good and necessary prayer! It's no secret that in my past, fear had a total grip on my life. Now it just grips my moments. How do I loosen this grip? By switching to a better rope! Grip Christ! Cling to Him! How do we do that? We constantly fill up on His Word, which is living and active, Hebrews 4:12. We praise Him in fearful situations, He helps us to "step out of the boat" in faith!
Praise is a gift we can bring into God's sanctuary. He tells us to "enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise." Psalm 100:4 Guess what? If we are there, in His sanctuary, we are safe!
Fear can sabotage your relationships, experiences, job, life! Run into His sanctuary with praise and thanksgiving! If I do not do this daily, sometimes hourly, I sabotage my thinking, which has a domino effect on my circumstances. I need to daily renew my mind, Romans 12:2. God's grace in developing this habit in my life, came out of a very dark season. But during that time I began to cling to Scripture one verse at a time. I would just read the verse all day long, just one verse! Over time I added verses, and before you know it, I knew them without memorizing them, but by clinging to them, to Him.
When I praise God, I truly sense His presence. We can turn these "red flags" that fear brings into "white flags" of surrender and trust. I am always amazed at the gifts I almost miss, when I switch out my "flag" color! Lord help me stay in Your sanctuary. Even when we are in a difficult place, we can be in His presence. How lovely it is! "How lovely is Your dwelling place O Lord..." Psalm 84:1
When in His presence, we can share our brokenness and healing with others and encourage them, we can testify that truly "in His presence is fullness of joy." Psalm 16:11 I share these things because most of my life I have feared everything new, whether it was good or bad. Every time God has pushed me through a new threshold, I ultimately am so incredibly thankful. I want to be humble and honest about working through fear, and I still have my days. But I share it because I want to give hope to anyone who is overwhelmed by fear today. I am praying that it won't rob you of joy any more. The "enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy." John 10:10
If you are struggling, you are not alone. Jesus is here for you. Link arms with someone and pray today. I am blessed to have Steve, my husband, and friends, who let me process these things over and over. Steve often prays with me and stands in the gap for me when I can't get a grip. If you ever need someone to pray with you, I am here for you.
My family and friends know me well, and they see me in the fight sometimes. But that's OK! As long as the end points to Christ and not me, then the messy me is best exposed. That's the part of me I choose to empty and it starts with praise! When I get perspective that it is Christ in me that protects me and Christ who defines me, I find myself in the truest sanctuary. Glory to God.
If you are struggling, you are not alone. Jesus is here for you. Link arms with someone and pray today. I am blessed to have Steve, my husband, and friends, who let me process these things over and over. Steve often prays with me and stands in the gap for me when I can't get a grip. If you ever need someone to pray with you, I am here for you.
My family and friends know me well, and they see me in the fight sometimes. But that's OK! As long as the end points to Christ and not me, then the messy me is best exposed. That's the part of me I choose to empty and it starts with praise! When I get perspective that it is Christ in me that protects me and Christ who defines me, I find myself in the truest sanctuary. Glory to God.
“Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him—his name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.
Summon your power, God; show us your strength, our God, as you have done before.
Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord,
Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens. You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!”Psalm 68:4-6, 19, 28, 32, 34-35 NIV
From the Day, I Am They
Can I Lie Here in Your Arms, David Crowder
I am A Child of God, Bethel
Comments
Post a Comment