Today and tomorrow, our assignment is to complete “Bible Study: Know It—Stow It—Show It” on p. 101-104. The questions here are based on Genesis 15. By studying this passage of Scripture about the covenant between God and Abram, we can learn to be confident that God will keep His guarantee as we trust God to work in our lives.
So, tell me ladies. Are you learning that God will indeed keep His Word as you trust Him? Do you ever feel like He’s let you down or does your trust of Him go beyond that?
I know these can be difficult concepts to think about, but if we just sweep the hard stuff under the rug, our faith will never have a chance to grow. I pray for you each to be empowered by the Word of God. I pray for your obedience to Him and for you to Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and just watch what He will do. He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:5-6
When we commit our ways to the Lord, that means EVERYTHING. We give our lives, families, jobs, relationships, and possessions all over to Him because we trust Him fully. We choose to believe that He can care for us better than we can care for ourselves. We do this out of obedience and trust. (And here’s a little sneak peek into the future: Trust is our word of the week next week!)
Are you driven by faith or fear? Are you still struggling with fear today? How can you move from fear to faith? (note you have to take action to do this) Please share with the group in the comment section of my blog.
It’s an honor to be on this journey from fear to faith with you. I will be praying for each person specifically who comments today.
Hugs <3
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I can move from fear to faith by listening and applying God’s word to my life.
I’m still struggling with fear. How I’m choosing to begin moving from fear to faith is by digging into my Bible & choosing to believe God’s word even if I’m not “feeling” it. Yep, I’m a big “have to feel it” person. This has been a consistent struggle for me but something’s gotta give & that’s me choosing to question, doubt & hold onto things from the past. God wants to heal me, now will I let him by stepping out of his way. I want to say yes here & it just happen like magic but I know that’s not going to be the case. I know that I’m going to have to start being very intentional when it comes to God. For me that means being mindful to take everything to him instead of wasting my time dwelling & trying to handle it on my own. Also I’m going to have to be intentional about praying. No more hit or miss on what I’m going to pray about or if I’m going to pray at as things come up trhoughout my day. The same goes for me trusting God. I’m choosing to trust him no matter what my feelings may be telling me. Yep, there’s that “feeling” person again. I have got to be intentional on placing my trust in God whether or not I “feel” it. As things come up, I’ll say “God I trust you, you’ve got this, I’m stepping out of your way so you can work.” That’s how I’m going to move from fear to faith.
Tricia,
Sounds like you were writing this from my head. lol. I agree with all of it and it’s exactly what I need to do as well. Something’s gotta give because I’m tired of living like this. Tired of FEELING like this. And you’re right, it’s us that must give in and that’s tough for me. My pride jumps in and then it’s all down hill from there.
Thank you for your words and I pray that God will hold tight to us as we get out of His way and let Him lead.
I think it’s so amazing how God just puts something on our hearts and then continually addresses it with us in different ways throughout our day. “Intentional” is such a great word here! I was just thinking much of this same thing after I read in my morning devotional this line: You are forced to choose between trusting Me intentionally or rebelling: resenting My ways with you.” With my head, would I really question God’s way of handling me/things in my life? Of course not! But it really does have to be a deliberate, conscious decision that God really does KNOW and DO best. I know I need scripture to stand on and keep in my heart and mind continually.
I am so like you, Tricia and Jody! I just finished praying with someone on my favorite prayer line and they told me I need to “draw a line in the sand” and be committed to believing God’s word over my feelings and they are soooooo right! When I’m in His word the rest of my problems just don’t seem as big. I fight the world around me. And I’m sorry to say that some of that fight is in my church. They limit God and their unbelief affects me. This is hard because I love being around other Christians and am so ready when the weekend comes to worship. But God is faithful and no matter what “man” says, I will learn to rely on His word above all.
Amen sister!
Thanks !
Ah, Tricia…..it comes down to CHOOSING
I heard Beth Moore speak on this verse this morning:
God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. Psalm 68:6
If we are willing to be healed, to be set free and all that is involved in this process we will be set free, singing! But those who stay in bondage…who are terrified of healing are still saved by the blood of Jesus but will spend life in a land that feels sun-scorched! Exit that land dear sister! Praying healing to come forward and flood you dear sister!!!
Steph I LOVE that, I am going to write that down in my journal <3
That is beautiful…
Oh Tricia, I am right there with you!!! I am a “have to feel it” kind of gal too. Being intentional has been difficult, but this study is truly helping me realize I have to be. Trusting the Lord has been really difficult for me the past few years, but the Lord is encouraging me to trust Him and to actually believe that His word is true. He will not leave me or forsake me. So enjoying this study!
I am driven by faith – which is a HUGE change from a year ago. As I sat in Adoration this morning I realized just how much I have grown in Christ and how with each step of progress He opens up more of me to Him. As I give up one area of my life and master giving that to Him, He then shows me another area. Today He showed me how I need to give Him my relationships – all of them, not just my husband and children but my co-workers, my extended family, my friends. As I sat there thinking on all the ways He has made my life better I felt excitement to give Him this area, instead of fear or resentment as I would have a year ago. It’s amazing how much better I feel spiritually, physically and mentally by obeying Him.
Wow, I can relate V.. I know I still have fear about is my relationships, especially with my sons. My oldest is almost a prodical son and only comes into my life when he needs something and really has no respect for me or my husband. It is a major struggle for me because this is my son and I am missing my grandchildren growing up. Breaks my heart yet I have to leave this in God’s hand and not become an enabler to my son and his families poor choices. I love him and pray for him, but at this point in my life, God is going to have to work in that relationship. My husband, Mike, and I have done all we can to repair this situation.
New pin with the Scripture Melissa referenced in her post above.
http://pinterest.com/pin/221520875391398852/
I’d have to say honestly I’m a bit of both. I’m driven by both fear and faith. I’m a lot better than I used to be that’s for sure. I used to be solely driven by fear but over the last year with everything that’s happened, God has used those trials to strengthen my faith and so I’m doing a lot better at trusting Him. I’m not great at it yet, I still struggle, but I’m getting there. This study is helping me SOOOOoooo much at laying down my fears and really relying on the Lord. I feel I have grown by leaps and bounds already. Praise God !! As I dive into His word and get that really written on my heart and grow closer to Him I am learning more and more that trusting Him really is the only way to live.
Hope you have no idea how much of an inspiration you have been to me. Love you my friend.
I would like to believe I am driven by faith. I believe I am most of the time, but I think there are times I am driven by fear and don’t realize it is the fear that is driving me. This study has made me look more at my relationship with God and what am I showing people about God. Thank you for this ministry.
I think that is true for all of us. For me I never thought I worried very much, until God asked me to give up all my worries to Him, it was then that I realized half the time, I worried out of habit.
I would have to say that I have lived for years driven by fear. This past year had a way of bringing me to complete rock bottom and was a testing I have never known. Thru it all I thought that after I was on the other side that my faith would be so strong and solid, and I have to say I was suprised that I still doubt and stuggle with trusting that he is really there for me. So many times I just dont “feel” his love..presence.. comfort and I still struggle with WHY? I want that , I need that in my life and I know I have felt that. I know he is there so why is there the tendency to wonder if he is? This study has been so excellent for me and I know it is an answer to prayer! Thank you so much Melissa for your encouraging words!
Alli,
I’m so glad we are doing this study together! I can relate. From the sounds of these comments, many can.
We keep moving forward
I think i am mostly driven by faith. I feel I can move more completely to faith from fear by accepting his unconditional promise to me. I was moved by point #10 in the questions, to note that I don’t have to do anything to receive God’s covering on my family. My constant worry is over whether I am praying in the “right” way for my family, am I doing “enough”? God doesn’t demand anything from me other than to believe and receive His promises. UNCONDITIONALLY.
Since chapter 5 was mainly about family, that’s where my head is. And I have to say I’m primarily a fear-driven parent. Unlike the people who seem to always have an excuse for something or say “It’s not my fault,” I feel like I’m responsible for it all. I have this fear that if my marriage isn’t going well then I need to do something differently…..if my children don’t make friends, don’t behave appropriately, aren’t kind, etc, etc, then it’s because I’ve not been a good parent. Trusting God with it all sounds good here this morning as I sit at the computer, coffee in hand, calm music in the background, children at school, but when they get home, leaving a mess in their wake and I’m trying to get dinner prepared, eaten & cleaned up in time to get to a scheduled activity while they likely bicker at each other, I have a REALLY hard time figuring out how to trust God with it all.
It’s much easier for me to trust Him with the big things than it is for the myriad of little, specific situations that arise during the day.
Your last sentence is so true! We seem to forget to trust God in the details throughout the day. I will be praying that God will provide you with His strength and guidance in ALL situations. He is a God of grace and will you meet you whenever and wherever you are.
You will LOVE tomorrow’s blog post!
Heather, you took the words right out of my heart! I take responsibility for everything… if something isn’t going right (my definition of right, of course) it is due to something I haven’t done or something I could do better. And I am with you on trusting Him with the big things… that is not so hard. But everyday life? MUCH harder!
I agree with some of the previous comments in that I am both fear and faith based at this point. In October when I got engaged Faith shined through me huge! I had signs from God and knew that marriage was where he wanted me.
On the flip side, my parents were divorced when I was in fourth grade. I still have “scar tissue” I guess you could say that has hung around in the form of FEAR. We’ve been HAPPILY Married for 3 months and there are still some mornings that I wake up wondering: when is the bomb going to drop? Am I good enough? Will he get bored with me? Am I enough or does he want something more? Someone else?! I am learning to “turn these thoughts off” quickly because I know they are not healthy and that is NOT how God views our relationship. Our relationship started in Him and will (with HIS help) endure til the end.
Its funny– our wedding ceremony was on 1 John 4:18– There is no fear in love.
That scripture has been on my heart for months now and this bible study is only reaffirming what I know. If we LOVE GOD and trust His ways then what have we to fear?! Its easy to say when you are happy & newly married and not in the middle of any turmoil at the present moment. But Lord willing we can take these verses with us and they can makes us stronger as we CONTINUELY turn our fear into faith. I don’t think its a snap decision and we just go from Fear to Faith like that…….. I think it comes daily– with time– as we surrender to God.
Thank you for writing these words today Megan. I woke up this morning with many of those thoughts. However, they were more generalized but still brought back many of my old fears. As I write this, I almost feel as if there is an internal struggle between my faith and my fears today. It truly is a continuous process. And, I am so grateful that I can rest on His promises within the scriptures and my heart.
Congratulations on your recent marriage. I think you said it best when you said “we can take these verses with us and they can make us stronger….” For me it always seems to come down to CHOICE – do I choose to believe the promises even when I don’t feel them or do I choose to believe satan’s lies.
Megan,
Congrats on your new marriage! Veronica is so right. Those doubtful phrases you hear, “Will he get bored with me?” etc., those are Satan’s lies. When you have those phrases enter your mind and you start to think about them, it takes you away from your husband. Think about it—-when those thoughts enter, do you feel yourself slipping away a little bit? I know when I have negative thoughts like that, I feel like I am not really with my family because my mind is somewhere else. When they enter your mind just say, “My husband loves me, I love him, and God loves us! Satan mind your own business!” Prayers for continued happiness and strength in your marriage
I think as we began this study, I never thought this one book would fix all of my fears or make me more courageous, but I have realized that the enemy has been attacking me worse than before, but I have been standing my ground. I know that this week has been very hard for me because 16 years ago, my grandmother was murdered by my grandfather, but I know that I am having some breakthroughs in ways that I have never expected. Yesterday I had a breakthrough of realizing that my doubt of God and His trust comes from not having a earthly father that I could trust or that accepted me for being ME.. I have always felt that God couldn’t love me for just being myself because I always knew my earthly parents had “conditions” for loving me. I guess that breakthrough has opened other feelings in my life and walk with fear, but I also believe that God is using this book in ways I never expected. It is highlighted through and through because most of the book is speaking to me in exactly what I am facing TODAY.
Angie,
I can empathize with you. This book has opened doors that I thought were closed as far as fear is concerned. The devil knows that this book and the scriptures that we are being led to read will lead us closer and closer to God and further away from his snare. When you combine those items with a community of women all over the globe, he will fight and fight. I can’t even imagine what the anniversary of this event feels like for you. Thank you for being bold enough to share your fears with us. I will be praying that God will continue to comfort you and give you strength especially this week and in the future as you walk daily with Him.
Oh Angie….I (and I am sure many others) can relate to not being able to trust our earthly fathers, that those fathers couldn’t accept us as we are, that they were unable to be the role model they were called to be. I am so thankful though we are all HIS daughters and can find unconditional love through being His Princesses
Angie,
I can’t imagine what you’re going through as you are reminded of such a painful even in your life. Thank you for having the courage and strength to share it with us. Kristi is so right…the devil knows this book is going to draw us closer to God and he is going to try so hard to keep drawing us away. I’m glad the book is helping you. I keep a journal that I write certain phrases, scriptures, from the book/bible study that I find helpful and I read them at night and in the morning to let the devil know that God is with me and His Word is in my heart. Praying for you to continue to draw strength from Our Lord and Savior and courage to move forward. <3
Yes I do still struggle with fear. I keep thinking of the possible storms that may be coming and I realized that I am in the midst of one right now with my eating. God is speaking to me in the midst of the storm to let go and let Him do the work. Be obedient to Him and trust in Him and he will provide the way out. Trusting in God will grow my faith and minimize my fear
Praying for you Karen. When you wake each morning, remember that God is with you and you turn to Him to light your path even when the storms are raging. Your roots grow deep when winds grow strong if you continue to persevere in faith.
Karen, I am here for you and I am struggling with the same issues!! I hate it but remember with GOD all things are possible!! If you need a friend let me know we can get through this together! Love you gf!!!
Rhonda,
I would love to have someone to be accountable to. It is too hard to do it on your own. A sister in Christ would be a great comfort through the storms. You are right with God all things are possible! Thanks! Karen
Praying for you Karen. I’ve been there for the past couple of months. My fears/anxieties were so strong I was eating less and less and losing weight. God has been helping me turn to Him and give Him my burdens! Praying for you!!! God bless you girl!
This was on my wall today I thought you all would enjoy this Lord, let Your Spirit burn in our heart and overtake our lives fully! Give us Your Heart and passion! Purge and purify anything that stands as a distraction or detour of our destiny! I bind the spirit of fear, confusion and weariness that would cause you to be in slumber or a stupor – Let the Spirt of God AWAKEN you and the Zeal of the Lord burn within you! YOU ARE MIGHTY IN GOD! Love you all.. XOXO ( Paula White )
Love this!!!! Thanks for sharing.
Awesome!
Melissa, Thanks for today.. It meant tons. Sorry I kept you so long. Appreciate it so much.
I loved talking to you and praying for you Angie! You didn’t keep me too long, I’m so glad we got to chat
“Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.” Genesis 15:1
As I read this piece of scripture, it literally brought tears to my eyes. When we literally have nothing, he will give you just ENOUGH to get you through the day. This book has been such a blessing in my life but it has also cracked me open again in certain areas that I had “pushed under the rug.” I awoke this morning with an uncertain sense of foreboding. This feeling was a daily ritual which included “What will happen next? When will he hit me again? If I have a place to sleep, make sure there is a tent in your car because that won’t last long.” These feelings were all too common for most of my life.
Yet, I read that scripture and it was as if God was reminding me of my reward-a closer relationship with Him as well as being able to stand on His goodness and mercy in my life even when I couldn’t quite see it. This year marks the 5 year anniversary of MANY negative events which shook me to the core in 2007 and eroded every area of my life including my sense of safety. The Virginia Tech massacre occurred 5 years ago next Monday. A week later, on the 23rd, I was in a car accident which eventually led to a chronic illness and dashed my dreams of becoming a pharmacist. Satan is definitely trying to use these anniversaries to shake my faith.
Yet, He reminds me that He is my shield. He was there all along. Every time, I cried out. He was there. I’m not sure of my future but I’m so thankful that He protected me through every storm. When I lost EVERYTHING, I FOUND a greater love than I ever thought imaginable. I just didn’t recognize His goodness until this past year. When I moved, He was there. When I needed a church, He was there. When I needed community, He brought me to these bible studies, a small group and my best friend from pharmacy school. When I was again homeless, He provided.
Each time He provided because I had asked and acted in faith. Sometimes blindly. Sometimes meekly. Sometimes boldly. But, each time, when I took a step of faith, He showed up. Sometimes, he shows up at the 11th hour when you think nothing is salvagable. Yet, looking back He was my shield the entire time.
I’m praying for His peace and protection over the next few weeks for all of us as we draw nearer to Him as we become less fearful and more faithful. I’m so glad that I can face these anniversaries with Him and not on my own. The sadness and fear are still there. For all of us who have witnessed or been affected by a tragedy, I believe this will always be the case. However, through the love of God and a community of believers, we can find shelter under His wings. He will go to battle for us and protect us with His giant shield. A relationship with Him is our greatest reward!
Amen Kristi! I love every single word you wrote. <3 Love you!
Oh Kristi! What a beautiful and inspiring testimony! Pray for you!
Thank you for having the courage to share your testimony. You are so right—God is there, has been there, and will ALWAYS be there. He ALWAYS provides and takes care of His children! You are an amazingly strong woman and it’s obvious that you draw strength from Christ! What an amazing example you are of what can be done through Christ!!! Praying for your continued strength!!!
Letting Go is so hard for me. I can let go but the next thing I know I am trying to reach up and take it back. I need help desperately. I have a situation with a daughter who is unable to have children and has no money to go through private adoptions. She is desperately trying to adopt through State. I pray God will lead then to the child he has for them. I have known since my daughter was the age of 5 that she will be unable to have children because of a genetic abnormality that led to a Syndrome. I felt peace all my life because at the time God gave me peace that someday she would be a mommy. Now that the time has come it is becoming very difficult to see her go through so many disappointments. She has gone through so my difficulties in her life. I am trying desperately to pray for God’s Will but it is becoming so difficult to do this and try to keep my daughter on the path to accept disappointments. Blessing to all
Praying for you and your daughter dear Annette. I can’t imagine the sadness and pain that you and your daughter must be feeling but I know that God is with you even now. It was an act of faith to confide in us here and he sees your cry as do we. Dear sister, I pray that God will provide peace for both of you and the strength to continue to persevere. If it is God’s will, He already has a child handpicked for your daughter. Continue to trust Him. He is faithful! Hugs.
Praying for her healing; Jesus blood is for ALL healing; As the woman with the issue of blood – she had faith to just TOUCH the HEM of His garment – and the annointing of His healingpower touched her body – and she was healed; the same is for your daughter; Read through healing scriptures every day – let those sink in – and just RADIATE in and through you and your daughter; if its possible, do this together, via phone, instant message, texting, whatever – The Word says where two or more are gathered – he is there in the midst! We believe with you that she is healed – from any bodily issues – and will give birth to children – that are healthy and strong – and they will grow and live and have their being IN CHRIST all of their days!!! Let’s just praise the Lord for that NOW!
Prayers going up!
Melissa, What did you say the next study was going to be? I heard you mention it on the conference call and wanted to see if I could look at that book. Thanks
the next study, if I am not mistaken will be I Used to be so Organized.
That’s right Veronica. I Used to Be So Organized by Glynnis Whitwer
sadly melissa I am infact driven by fear
i base my decisons around fear
if im scared of it i will not do it
.
but i have to say since reading this book
ive had alot of break throughs with
not letting frear make all my decions
Yay Brittany! It sounds like you and God are moving some mountains! Praise the Lord!
Brittany,
You hang on girl! I’m so proud of you for putting a voice to your fears. That’s the first step. Now just keep in God’s Word and keep learning to trust Him. Thank you so much for sharing, I’m praying for you!
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and just watch what He will do. He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Psalm 37:5-6
This is so applicable to my day. My husband called and told me he is applying for a job in TN, we live in PA. I needed this study so much right now. I feel peace because I know that God has already walked this path He is leading us on, and it is entirely up to Him what happens. We have committed it to His hands.
Paige, I am in agreement with you! He has you and your husband on the right path! Clearly marked – and is giving you both the vision to see His direction – with no doubts~
Praising Him for He is faithful!
That’s right! If it’s meant to be, it will happen and He will give you the strength to move forward! I know moving is hard (I’m a Navy wife and this first move after living in the same place for 20 years with family & friends nearby has been SO HARD) but it will all work out!
Depends on the day but a lot of time fear gets it’s claws into me! Thank you for the prayer, Melissa!
It’s an honor to pray for you!
I’m moving from fear to faith by starting my day in prayer and having more conversations with Him. As I write this I can’t help but think about my 18 year old son. He’s about to head out into the real world and in the last couple of months he’s matured so much. We say night time prayers which are usually led by myself. On this particular night he decided to step out and overcome his fear of praying in “public”. When he ended his prayer he looked up at me and all I could see was my baby’s face…and he said, “I talk to Jesus just like a friend.” He may not know it right now, but my baby has become a role model for me. I want to step away from my fear just as he did and I want to talk to Jesus like a friend. I also can’t help but feel pretty confident about the young man he’s become.
I’m getting there, baby steps for me.
Just keep moving forward. Baby steps are good
Well until this study my whole life has been driven by fear. Im slowly learning to be faith driven. But I have so many trust issues, abuse issues and eating disorder issues that it has been a struggle….TODAY I am FAITH DRIVEN!
Girl thats a lot to carry…may I pray for you today.
Dear Lord, walk with sweet Gerri, carry the burdens that seem to heavy and shoulder the load that threatens to break her. For we know you have spoken a bruised reed You will not break. We know that no matter what passes in our lives You will not permit us to break, we have the shelter of You, Your Word, always to stand up under. Surround Gerri with your love…Psalm 126 4-6 says… Restore our fortunes, LORD, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. hose who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. Make this real to Gerri. Real in her life. Real right now. Thank you Lord for songs of joy. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.
Amen!
Amen!!!
I love reading your prayers Steph
AMEN! So awesome Stephanie! Your prayers are beautiful!
Amen!
Thank you…thank you…..thank you!!!!!
This chapter really hit home for me. I have two children ages 16 and 18, I have always parented out of fear. It brought me to tears as I sat and thought about all the years I tried to control every situation with them. I often find myself thinking about the “if only’s” but with the help of the study I am learning to live without regrets. When I begin to feel afraid I find that I am quicker to go to the Lord and give it to Him and remember that He did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of self discipline.
As my daughter prepares to go to college I can tell she is afraid especially when she talks about leaving home. If I can teach her anything it is to not live in fear, because then you also have to live with regrets. I pray that through this study she will see her mother grow into someone who walks in faith rather than in fear.
Wow, a lot of what you wrote is the same thing I have lived with, except my daughter’s faith was what inspired me to find healing in Jesus. I will be praying for you and your family.
Becky,
Veronica is right. And she’s guest posting on my blog tomorrow. You will LOVE and really relate to what she has to say. Make sure you check back tomorrow!
I’m praying for you!
Family struggles are so prevelant in our society today. Our children are living in a culture that is teaching them to be disrespectful, to feel entitled to everything and to not live for God because the world’s ways are so much better. It is hard as a parent to see our children struggling but I have learned that often times we enable our children to stay dependent on us as parents, when they need to learn to look to God for their security and be independent. I know I have had to learn that the hard way. My boys are 27 and 21 and the oldest is the hardest one to reach.
God’s doing a huge work of FAITH in me! Seems like everywhere I turn, in my bible, devotions, study, tv/preaching, Faith is speaking LOUDLY to me – to move UP in Him; Am currently going thru a HUGE leap into the unknown – seriously – to the point, where I have NO choice but to trust Him; in my emotions, I feel inside me the scaredness wants so desperatly to creep up and take over to disable me by worrying about the outcome, and how I can fix it, or what should I do; But I know WHOM I serve and love — He is my strength and my shield; Goodness and Mercy follow me everywhere I go! Whom then shall I fear? Thank you Melissa and Micca for being obedient to write and offer this encouraging word to us! I pray for all that are really seeking after HIS life – to the fullest – for each of us – as we take steps into the “unknown”; boy that can be scarey – we want to know what the next step is – yet as we GROW, we need to TRUST Him – to hold us up – just as a child taking its first steps, or riding a two wheeler for the first time – we may get skinned knees – but that heals, as we learn to balance – and Seek after the right way to walk — Praise Him for he Loves US SO MUCH that he doesn’t want us to hurt, nor be in an emotional state that steals from us; I can hardly wait to shout “it” from the roof tops on how He opened up the door to this unknown for me! When I think of it – and think of how BIG he is – my blessings are overflowing – because of Him and not by what I do in my own making! Oh, Lord reveal yourself HUGE in and through me – so it may GLORIFY YOU and be a TESTIMONY to what YOU are WELL able to do! Exceed abundantly MORE than I could ever imagine! Amen! (So be it!!!!!!!) IN Jesus Name!
AMEN!!!!
AMEN!
Moving from FEAR to FAITH. Since August of last year I have been trying to get my visa to return to the USA to be reunited with my husband. Every time something went wrong with our paperwork. It literally paralyzed me with fear. I decided to put my trust in God, believe what He says He will do. My husband and I have filed another petition to get visas for my daughter and myself, and I know that my God will come through for us. I choose to trust my Father.
Praying for you!
I recognize my need for increased faith, and desire to live an increasingly faith-driven life. Fear weighs and slows me down, often to a debilitating standstill. Therefore, it drives and takes me no where. However, when it does come, I am quickly reminded to go to the Word of God for refuge, strength, or whatever I need to overcome it. A good friend, encouraged me years ago, to always find a scripture that challenges whatever fears I may be entertaining. To meditate on it, memorize and repeat it…whatever I needed to do to get it to stick. I’ve never regretted doing so, not one day of my life. The key though, I believe, lies in truly trusting that God does love us unconditionally, and that He is absolutely faithful and trustworthy, always looking out and working for our good.
1) Are you driven by faith or fear? 2) Are you still struggling with fear today?
This is a hard question because the truth is, I’m ashamed of the answer. I’m driven by fear. Fear is such a strong, STRONG emotion. It just paralyzes me sometimes but I’ve been learning through Scripture, this study, and other books I am reading that FAITH is so much stronger. Faith can overcome everything. What is so large to us is small compared to what God can do. So although I answered this question with fear, I am trying so very, very hard to move away from that and answer with a resounding FAITH. I’ve been driven by fear for so long that it is going to take some time for me to driven by Faith but bit by bit, as long as I keep trying, I know it will happen. I know there will be some days where I may fall but God won’t hurl me headlong because He holds my hand. Yesterday, I felt like most of my day was driven by Faith. I felt so strong and confident (a little too much at times—I needed to take a step back and reorganize my thoughts) but it felt amazing. I hadn’t felt that way in several months. It was a glimpse of the life I can live if I move towards Faith and put the fear in a little box that I hand over to God to take.
3) How can you move from fear to faith?
I need to readjust my thoughts. When my thoughts start to prey on my fears, I need to try to remember scripture/readings to help me dismiss the thoughts. For example, when I beat myself up for mistakes/sins I’ve committed, I remember what Renee Swope wrote in her book, A Confident Heart, “God saw beyond who I was to who I could become. Knowing this was His perspective gave me the confidence to believe that I didn’t have to stay in this hard place. I didn’t have to let my failure define me.” That’s so powerful.
I keep a book filled with scripture, excerpts from books I have read, quotes from Joyce Meyer Ministries, etc. to help me. In the morning there are several things I read to start my day and if I feel that I need help or a “tune-up” throughout the day, I go back to my notebook. At night, I go through again and add prayers from the daily devotionals I’ve printed from Proverbs 31 ministries to give me STRENGTH and remind me of my faith. It’s getting better bit by bit—slowly but surely!
Just when I say faith in believing then something happens and I begin to let doubt fear cone in I don’t want to waver I want to be strong in my faith do defintly keep me in prayers and in faith I am believing everything will work out
Prayers for you!!!
A lot of my fear is based on the unknown..What will happen if_______________ happens? I am dealing with a chronic illness, on top of being a single parent. So I always wonder what will happen if I become unable to work, pay bills, ect. But the Lord laid this poem on my heart the other day while working on this study and I hope that it encourages you in someway, I am still in between faith and fear, but am working very hard on laying it all down and choosing trust over worry and fretting. I hope that those of you who are ” In the Wait” like I am, will be encouraged by these God-led words:
In The Wait
In the wait God has a plan that’s sometimes hard to see, In the wait the pain is rough and you feel tossed about at sea.
In the wait the clouds are dark and hang heavy overhead, in the wait the rain pours down when you want the sun instead.
But in the wait the sun is there hiding from your view, and in the wait God is there creating something new.
He takes the pain, the loss, the grieve that you’ve carried for so long, and whispers “ Listen child, I’ve been here all along.”
So in the wait when you’re feeling down and really feeling low, just take it all to God and learn to let it go.
He is in the business of making burdens light, and just in time the clouds will roll, and the sun will shine so bright.
So even though the wait is hard, faith begins to grow, so trust in God and before to long blessings he’ll bestow.
You’ll look back at the wait and say “Now I understand, that even though the wait was hard it was part of His master plan.”
Written by: Kim Johnston
Psalms 27:14
Very very inspiring, thank you for sharing. Putting that in my journal.
You are welcome..God Bless:)
Thank you for sharing…this is very awesome!
Something that has just come to mind is what I heard on KLove a while back. “If you weren’t afraid of the thing that makes you afraid, what would you do? ….Then do that thing that you would do if you weren’t afraid” …. Fear still drives me in some areas of my life and faith drives me in other areas of my life. I still have a lot of growth in God and his word to help me overcome my fears but I am much further than I was 5 years ago……..it’s a process and a slow growth but isn’t that God? He is working in and around us constantly but we just see the slowness sometimes.
Thanks for sharing what you heard on K Love—that makes sense but I find it so hard to do!!! I have to keep repeating that to myself!
I too am driven more by fear than faith at this time….I am getting up a little earlier in the mornings, reading a devotional and praying, doing better , the more I do give over to God. It is really hard to break your habits.. I will get there….
I think of Carol Davis on the call saying that carrying fear makes us weary and often we feel “comfortable and comforted” by our fears because we know how to “wrangle” them. I pray for you that you will be able to slowly release your fears a little more each day. I have felt fear most of my life and at one point was agoraphobic for some time, but today I can honestly say that God is doing a miracle in my life each day and fear is becoming less each day. The enemy knows exactly where we struggle and our course he uses that to attack us.
Praying for you, my friend.
I am driven by faith! During this Bible Study I have learned how to draw closer to our Heavenly Father and walk in His will for my life. By doing so, he’s blessed me with a job after 2 years of unemployment! Praise God! I start my new job next Wednesday and I plan to allow God to lead me in that job every step of the way. For “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Phil. 4:13. Thank you SO much for this study and for helping me learn to move from fear to faith!!! God Bless!!
Good luck with your new job!!!!
I read chapter five cautiously because I thought that it probably had nothing to do with me….I do not have a family. That’s where my fear rears its ugly head. I am 41 and single and want a godly husband more than anything. I am generally able to live in a state of trusting God regarding my aloneness but at times the fear just seems to reach out, grab me by the neck and strangle me in to submission. I know that God is faithful and able….I’m just afraid He won’t. When I sat down to post here today…I remembered the quote by Adrian Rogers about prayer beginning in heaven. Today I am choosing to trust that God has put that desire in my heart and he is able to fullfill that desire in His time and in His way….without my help! In the meantime, I have to trust that He will meet all of my needs even when I can’t see Him working. I choose to daily call upon the Master Builder trusting He has my blueprints even if His plans are not what I planned and just say “I trust you, Lord!” I also choose to read of His great and precious promises. One of the things I’m doing during this study is writing down the Bible verses in a notebook so I can read through them when I am tempted to be afraid.
I am praying for all of you! Thank you for sharing your faith and fear with us on this blog. It’s such an honor to go to the Lord on your behalf.
Thank you Melissa, It is also wonderful having this study with other women who are facing some of the same struggles. God is moving in a big way in our study and taking fear and replacing it with a faith that only He can give:)
Thank you Melissa! It’s so awesome to share this journey with you! <3
Today I am driven by fear. I look back on days like today and find that fear holds me and my days are not filled with God’s will. I am finding ways to get deeper in the word I am so thankful for this study!! I have an idea how it feels to be driven by faith and ready to dive more into the word to get it. The faith driven days are becoming more than the fear driven. Thanks all much <3
So many are struggling, so I created a pin for pinterest that I felt was much needed as a reminder for all of us:
http://pinterest.com/pin/221520875391400797/
I too still have alot of fear in me. Ever since I was a little girl, 63 years ago, I have been afraid of being left alone, abandoned, the night and now I am really concerned and worried about others who are having big time problems. I want so much to just be free from all the fear, worry and anxiety but I still deal with it everyday. I have Fibromyalgia and also take an antidepressant and I think that these 2 things do not help getting free. I pray and ask the Lord to please heal me of my fears as I read His Word and trust Him for my every need and to let go of others problems and just pray for them. I cannot fix them. Bless you all
Sheila in Colorado
Praying for you Sheila <3
Its still a battle for me to banish from my mind. I am usually furthest from fear after reading the bible then negative thoughts start to creep into my mind followed by fear! I pray for the strength and grace to be able to trust God without entertaining doubts.
At some point in my life ( and I could not say when) I realized most of what drives me is Faith. I guess it finally sunk into my head and heart, that it is His Faith I live by, not mine. It takes all the pressure off of me, because I know I can trust in Him. When there is a challenging situation, I remember all the other ones He has gotten me through. So, I just “let go and let God” I know He is coming back and this world is not my home. This is just my earthen vessel. Thanks for your prayers
Amen sister! We all need to let those words settle into our hearts. The Lord told us if we will draw close to Him, He will draw close to us. He never rejects us! Praise the Lord
I can move from fear to faith by confessing & meditating the Word of God that combats fear daily or hourly!
This has been a hard chapter for me and a hard week. I don’t have any children and at times I am so lonely. It’s hard when people talk about their children or grandchildren but God get’s me through it. I have struggled this week with my pets. My cat got hurt on Sunday and I ended up in the Emergency Animal Clinic. She tore her ACL and will have surgery next week. I know that a lot of people don’t understand how someone can feel like their animals are their babies but she really is my baby. She was my Mom’s cat and when my was dying 3 years ago I promised her I would take care of her cat. This has brought back all the things we went through with Mom. And the fear that my cat wouldn’t be able to walk on that leg again. It has just been one of those weeks when it seems nothing has went right. I enjoyed the conference call so much and that has help. I am trying so hard to not live in fear and just have the faith that God will get me through it.
Oh I understand about pets – my son’s cat is his life and helps him get through a lot of rough days. I hope everything goes well for your “baby”
Adam named all the animals of the earth, so it isn’t hard at all to understand why we feel so affectionate toward them. Also, animals seem to be more forgiving then people. I have dogs and cats and love them all.
Linda,
I am so sorry to read about your cat’s injury. I truly understand the love you have for your cat. My dog, Lady, was my furry child for 10 years! She was 13 when I had to make the decision on February 11 to send her to a better place because the doctor felt her cancer had returned and was causing serious problems. I had prayed for so long that when the time came, that I would have the STRENGTH to make the best decision for her or that He would let her go peacefully in her sleep. I had STRENGTH that night when we made the decision to say goodbye. She had so many things against her the last few years of her life—but God helped her and my family get through it and gave us extra time with her.
Was I scared? Yes I was. What did I do? I prayed!!! And I cried…I prayed, asked for my friends and family to pray for her and me because I needed strength to help her after her cancer surgery, etc.
God will give you strength! I pray your cat will get through just fine. Animals are so resilient! You will see! I pray that you have much success battling your fear! Sorry this is so long!
I think I can finally say that I am MOVING towards living in faith. I’m definitly not there yet, but I know God has been calling me to draw closer to him…by doing that, I already feel more calm. I struggle with knowing what to do and which decision to make (should I leave the job I hate and all of the consequences of that for me and my family). What is God calling me to do? I feel afraid and anxious not knowing what His plan is…praying to hear His voice soon.
Until very recently, I was completely driven by fear. I have been ‘afraid’ my whole life. Afraid of roller coasters, afriad of social situations, afraid to dance in public, afraid of what others will think of me, afraid of making bad decisions, afraid of looking stupid, afraid of saying the wrong things… I have missed out on so many things in my life because of fear. And then Cancer. Faith was all I had. Don’t get me wrong, I had fear. TONS of fear. I thought I had fear before? Cancer brought out more fear than I thought was possible. But once I settled into my diagnosis, I had faith. I HAD to have faith… I wouldn’t have made it without faith. So now, I am more driven by faith (Notice I aid MORE driven… still a work in progress!). And hopefully setting an example for my children. My oldest daughter is just like me. Afraid of eveything. I don’t know how to help her. I don’t want to force her to do things, but I know she is going to regret so much! But I know exactly how she feels…. so I will live by faith and I pray that I can teach her to live by faith and not by fear as well.
Praying for you!!!! <3
In my head, I know that it is the correct thing to trust God but in my heart it is a very difficult to do. I’ve been praying for God to answer my prayers and I know His answer can be a Yes, a No or Wait. My fear is that He will ans with a No and what if He really ans with a No. Can I accept it? In my head I know if He ans No it is because He knows what is good for me but in my heart I’ll feel really disappointed. This has been my struggle. Worry that God will reject me. He may ans No because of my past actions. It’s like God will let me suffer the consequences of my past actions. Maybe this is because I grew up without a Father and it has been tough thinking of God as a Father who wants to give us the best.
God knows what’s best for us. Sometimes we think we know what’s best for us because we are looking at the picture we have in front of us right now…but God sees the big picture—He has this canvas in front of him that details your life from the very beginning, to now, to your future. Think of it like a parent and a child! A child may want something and the parent knows that what the child wants is not best for for the child so the parent says No and the child is upset but the parent saw the bigger picture and knows it’s best. Have faith! <3
I don’t think that God punishes us for our actions, but we do still have to suffer consequences from what we do. But if he says no about something, it isn’t bec He’s punishing us for something, or rejecting us, it’s bec that isn’t what’s best, and He definitely knows and wants what’s best. When I had a particular disappointment recently, I envisioned God and me talking, and Him saying to me “Karen, this is really not my choice for you. But if you really want it, you can get it and all that comes with it. Do you still want it?” I said NO! I really don’t want to be outside of His will. Remember too that we imagine just hearing “no”, but we forget about His grace that comes with that when we are really seeking His will. He wants to give us the desires of our heart, but that starts with us seeking Him. He will make His will for us be our desire if we let Him. {HUGS}
Well I did not get to start the study with my group til now…And what a time to start!! My son and daughter in law were in a horrible car accident and we lost my daughter in law 2 weeks ago. She was only 31 and leaves behind a 20 mth old. I really only have FAITH to get me through each day that began 4 years ago when I lost my 19 yr old youngest daughter in a drowning incident. FAITH and HOPE is what I have instead of fear. Even though we go through trials in our seasons of life our FAITH is what God gives us to rely upon. I must turn it over to Him because He is the one in control, not me. I know he is only going to give me what I can handle and that is by leaning on Him and the FAITH I gain everyday through His teachings. Without my FAITH I would not be able to grow as He wants me to and to share and show others that He is the only way to have Hope that I will have all I need when I join Him in Heaven one day for Eternity! I crave all I can get from the Father and my Faith grows daily through Him. With the groups and studies like this FAITH and TRUST are proven and all continue to search, learn and grow!!! I think it is SO awesome to know my FAITH will continue to grow as I strive to be a better Christian each day. And there is always more to learn as my seasons of life change at all times. My testimony grows as my FAITH grows and my journey in life goes through the many seasons God has given and will continue to give me. Through my FAITH I will serve in this life and on to the next with HIM~ Faith, Trust and Blessings for you ALL!
So sorry for your loss. You have been through so much. We will be praying for you and your whole family.
I am so very sorry to read of the loss that has touched your family! My prayers are with you, your son, and your grandchild! You are such an amazing woman of God—drawing strength from Him through all these difficult times. You are truly an inspiration. Praying for you <3
I’m not entirely driven by faith yet, I still am a bit driven by fear, but I am growing. And I am much better than I was this time last year, even. My biggest setback is that I think God has taken things from me, instead of bringing good. I know what I should know, but its hard to believe it in my heart, does that make sense? I’ve had a lot of loss very precious to my heart and I struggled for awhile on why a God who wants my good would allow that. I see things differently now and I have grown out of that, claiming Romans 8:28 and seeing the actual GOOD in some of those circumstances. But, I think my big fear is trusting everything..because in my tiny, finite mind I think it may not be for my good again. But that’s because my perception and view is limited. He truly is FOR me. I have days where I am much stronger at believing that than others though. I loved chapter 3 and what she said about really KNOWING who God is-that He is enough. Thats my take-away sentence right there. I re-read that entire chapter over just to grasp it all and because it spoke such truth to my heart! Still learning, still growing..
Day 1- and currently? Drowning in fear. Coincidence? Nah. Glad to be here. I’m inspired by u guys to get back on the path God put before me. (instead of wanting to run away and hide!)
Glad you are here Sally. This is a great place to be. Hope you are enjoying the study. Let us know if you need anything . Are you involved in a FB group? or the conference calls?
there’s a FB group!!?
and conference calls? i don’t even have the book folk keep referring to…i’m on it….glad i found you…God’s grace indeed.
As I worked through the study this morning God showed me that my “helpful” attempts at figuring things out is just my way of trying to have some control over the situation. Interesting, since I have been overweight most of my adult life and it is a lack of self control that has taken me there. ouch! I can see a real imbalance in how I’ve been living my life despite the fact that I truly have sought God. I have such a hard time with “trust”, having been let down by my earthly parents. I need to just remind myself over and over and over that HE keeps his promises but that I (and the rest of the human race) cannot. I just keep coming back to an earlier phrase of Melissa’s “He is Enough”. (He is MORE than enough, but my brain cannot grasp that in certain situations) He is enough to provide for our financial needs. He is enough to take care of my depressed son. He is enough to heal broken relationships, or take us out of unhealthy ones. HE is Enough!! Praise Him!
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