fear « Grace Fox

Posts Tagged ‘fear’

5 Reasons to Trust God

Friday, May 24th, 2013

John 14:1 NLT

I realize this post’s title doesn’t do justice to my heavenly Father. In reality, it should probably read, “Infinite Reasons to Trust God.” Heaven knows the list is endless. Our time to read, however, is not. Therein lies the only reason for a mere five.

Jesus’ words—“Don’t let your hearts be troubled,” remind us that we have control over worry and fear’s role in our lives. We can choose to let them run rampant and then bear their negative consequences. Or we can choose to trust in God and walk in confidence instead.

Personally, I choose the latter. I’d much rather trust and experience peace than struggle with fear, sleeplessness, negativity, and a knotted stomach. And so, here are five reasons for why I choose to trust the Lord:

God promises His presence. No matter what happens in the course of a day, He is with me. I am never alone. Why, then, should I be afraid or anxious?
God promises to give me wisdom, and lots of it. When I face circumstances that baffle me, I can ask Him for insight, and He will answer.
God promises victory. I belong to Him, therefore He’s on my side. Who can stand against me?
God promises to turn negative situations into something good. He specializes in transforming the bad into beauty, the sad into splendor.
God promises joy. Sorrow may last for a night, He says, but joy comes in the morning. There’s light at the end of the tunnel. God knows what He’s doing even when I don’t understand.

How about you? What would you like to add to this list?

Tags: can God be trusted?, fear, joy, sorrow, worry
Posted in Devotionals, Discouragement, Faith, Fear, God's Sovereignty | No Comments »

How to Move From Fear to Freedom

Monday, April 29th, 2013

Last weekend I spoke at a women’s conference. The theme was “Fearless Faith.” The first three sessions dealt with how to overcome the fear of inadequacy, the fear of the storms of life, and the fear of facing the ghosts of our past. Yes, fear is real and it impacts nearly everyone but it needn’t hold us captive.

Jesus offered a wise directive to His disciples when He appeared to them after His resurrection. His sudden and unexpected presence terrified them. Acknowledging their fear, He said, “Why are you frightened? Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet….” (Luke 24:38,39 NLT).

Christ’s words addressed the disciples’ specific situation then, but they also apply to our lives today. Perhaps we struggle with the fear for our kids’ safety when they’re learning to drive. Maybe we struggle with fear over teaching a class or participating on a short-term missions trip. Maybe we wrestle with fear of financial insecurity and the unknown future when we put our house on the market and then prepare to relocate.

Any number of things can strike fear into our hearts, but we can overcome by applying Christ’s words to our situation:

“Why are you frightened?” Fold a piece of notepaper in half. On the left side, write those things that make you fearful. Ie: I’m afraid my house won’t sell for the asking price and we won’t be able to afford a suitable replacement.
“Why are your hearts filled with doubt?” Do you believe God is a capable and faithful provider? If so, then why does financial insecurity haunt you? Doubt creeps in when we allow our circumstances to overshadow the truth about who God is. Whatever your specific situation, ask yourself, “What aspect of God’s character am I doubting?”
“Look at my hands. Look at my feet.” Where does our gaze linger longest? Rather than focusing on what-ifs and fears, let’s focus on God’s character and promises. Let’s focus on the truth that He loves us enough to die for us, therefore we can trust Him. Take your paper again and write a couple of relevant Scripture promises on its right side—directly opposite the reason for your fear. Choose to dwell on the truth rather than on the circumstances.

Next time you feel afraid, consider Christ’s words to His frightened disciples. Apply them to your situation, and you’ll move from fear to freedom.

Tags: ", "Fearless Faith, fear, short term missions trip
Posted in Devotionals, Fear, God's Sovereignty | No Comments »

The Key to Experiencing God’s Rest in the Midst of Difficulty

Friday, April 26th, 2013

And so my saga continues. First the Achilles ruptured in January. Then the opposite knee required surgery. Just as things began to turn—the cast came off and my legs began learning to walk again—shingles nailed me. And so, I’m dealing with yet another major physical challenge. All the while, I’m learning and relearning wonderful spiritual truths.

This morning I read the psalmist’s familiar words, “Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the LORD our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care” (Psalm 95:6-7). Beautiful words, they are. Words that invite us to acknowledge God as sovereign King and gentle Shepherd.

But this morning as I continued reading, I noticed something I hadn’t seen when reading this passage at other times. The last half of verse 7 says, “If only you would listen to his voice today!” The passage goes on to say, “Don’t harden your hearts as Israel did…They refuse to do what I tell them. So in my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest’” (vv. 10-11).

These words caught my attention. They remind me how easy it is to know spiritual truth in one’s head but lack spiritual reality in one’s heart, to give mental assent to God’s greatness while spurning His commands. The consequence? We bypass the opportunity to possess the rest of soul and peace of mind He longs for us to experience.

As I navigate deep waters of a physical nature, it’s easy for me to say that God is sovereign, good, and loving. But will I do what He says and give thanks in the midst of my circumstances? Will I worship Him and count every difficulty as an opportunity for joy? Or will I worry about the possible outcomes and resent the inconvenience and pain?

If you’re experiencing hardship, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Doing the latter only breeds hardened hearts, negativity, and fear. But kneeling before the Lord and worshiping Him in the midst of pain brings hope. And doing what He says—giving thanks despite the pain, for instance—rewards us with inner rest and peace.

Whatever difficulties we face, let’s honor God with our response. Let’s kneel before Him in worship, and let’s obey His command to give thanks in everything and choose joy. Then we’ll experience the rest He longs to give us.

Photo courtesy: Elizabeth Michel – http://www.etsy.com/shop/PrintersDaughter

Tags: fear, inner rest and peace, spiritual truth, worry, worship God
Posted in Devotionals, Discouragement, Gratitude, Hope, Peace | 2 Comments »

Rest Can Be Yours

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

Longing for rest?

So the LORD gave to Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. And the LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had solemnly promised their ancestors. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the LORD helped them conquer all their enemies. Not a single one of all the good promises the LORD had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true (Joshua 21:44-45 NLT)

Are you hangin’ on and hoping your tough circumstances will end soon? Are you battle-weary and longing for rest? If so, you’re not alone.

I spoke at a women’s conference on the weekend. Numerous women shared their stories with me—stories of struggling with physical health issues or depression, wrestling with marital problems, or watching their kids’ marriages breakdown. Some of these women were battle-weary, worn out from worry, and wishing for inner rest.

Where does that rest come from? From filling our minds with God’s word and then living as though we believe it’s true.

God’s word resounds with promises of His presence, provision, and protection. It also reminds us that when bad things happen (because we live in a world filled with sinful people), He’s able to turn them into something good for those who love Him. Trouble is, we often forget those promises when we’re in the midst of tough stuff. Or we say we agree with them but then allow fear and worry to promptly override them.

Truth is—rest on all sides can be ours. None of our enemies—doubt, fear, insecurity, and the like—can stand against us, for the Lord helps us conquer them through His power and promises.

We are conquerors! Satan would love to make us feel like losers, but let’s not fall prey to his ploys. Let’s keep our minds focused on the truth rather than allow him to invade our minds with his lies. God gave the Israelites victory and led them to rest, and He wants to do the same for His people today.

Photo courtesy: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: battle weary, fear, insecurity, longing for rest, worry
Posted in Courage, Devotionals, Fear | No Comments »

Partnering with God for Victory

Monday, April 15th, 2013

Joshua 11:6-8 – “Then the LORD said to Joshua, ‘Do not be afraid of them. By this time tomorrow I will hand all of them over to Israel as dead men. Then you must cripple their horses and burn their chariots.’ So Joshua and all his fighting men traveled to the water near Merom and attacked suddenly. And the LORD gave them victory over their enemies.”

Put yourself in Joshua’s sandals. Foreign kings had combined forces to attack Israel, and the result was an army that “covered the landscape like the sand on the seashore.” By human standards, Joshua and the Israelites didn’t stand a chance. They had good reason to fear, but partnering with God changed everything. He did His part, and they did theirs. The result? Victory.

Sometimes we face enemies, too. Negative voices tell us we don’t stand a chance. Discouragement, despair, and disappointment threaten to take us out. But God says, “Don’t be afraid of them. I’ll give you the victory.” He also gives us wisdom to know what role we play besides trusting Him.

If we face financial challenges, for instance, it’s possible that we ought to look for a different job. Or tithe. Or be more responsible with spending habits.

If we face difficult interpersonal relationships, it’s possible that we’re to seek counseling. Or set healthy boundaries. Or ask that person if we’ve done something to offend him and make amends.

If we wrestle with worry, it’s possible that we need to retrain our brains. Stop focusing on our fears and instead start focusing on the promises of God and the reality of His presence in our lives. Start praising Him for His faithfulness, power, and sovereignty.

God is on our side and promises victory for the battles we face. As His children, we’re to trust Him, but we’re also to take action as He commands. If we’ve been battling with the same enemy for an extended time and wonder why victory isn’t happening, it’s possible we’re not doing something we ought.

Let’s walk in partnership with God. As we partner with Him—trusting Him to help us as we do what we’re supposed to—we’ll experience victory as Joshua did.

Tags: despair, disappointment, fear, financial challenges
Posted in Courage, Devotionals, Direction | No Comments »

What Influence do We Have on Others?

Monday, April 1st, 2013

You’ve probably had conversations with people that left you feeling encouraged and empowered. You’ve likely had conversations that left you feeling the opposite, too.

Know what I mean? You spend a few minutes with someone whose focus is negative or fearful, and before long you feel the same way. You leave the discussion dejected and downcast, focused on the what-ifs and the worst case scenarios.

Do people leave conversations with us feeling encouraged or discouraged?

Deuteronomy 20:8 acknowledges that fear is easily spread, and this is not a good thing. Earlier in this passage, we learn that, prior to going to war, Israelite officers were to go to their troops and send home anyone who had recently built a house, planted a vineyard, or become engaged. Perhaps these men were more likely to be distracted than others and become a detriment on the battlefield (8:5-7). It was better for them to leave than to endanger their fellow soldiers.

But these guys weren’t the only ones sent home. The officers also asked their troops, “Is anyone here afraid or worried? If you are, you may go home before you frighten anyone else.”

Reminds me of the story of the 12 spies who returned after their fact-finding trip to the Promised Land. Of the 12, only Joshua and Caleb expressed the courage to march in and conquer what God had promised them. The remaining 10 spies focused on their fears, and their influence swayed the masses. The result? The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.

Fear is like a nasty virus. As parents, we can unintentionally share it with our kids. As spouses, we can share it with our partner. As leaders, we can share it with those we serve. We can actually discourage others from pursuing God’s plan for their lives. Not good.

Our role is to keep our focus on the Lord and to encourage others to do the same, just as the priests did with the troops in Deuteronomy 20:1-4—“For the LORD your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and He will give you victory!”

Let’s determine that our conversations and attitudes will inspire courage and dispel fear in the lives of those around us. What a great influence to have on others!

Tags: fear, have a good influence on others, overcoming a negative focus
Posted in Courage, Devotionals, Fear | No Comments »

The Best Thoughts to Think at Night

Monday, November 26th, 2012

On what thoughts do you dwell when you’re in bed and either falling asleep or unable to sleep?

Some folks might say they plan the next day’s to-do list. Others might contemplate tough stuff they’re experiencing—a difficult relationship, the pain of betrayal, troublesome money matters, or a recent loss.

Some might ponder more positive happenings—an upcoming vacation, the expected birth of a child or grandchild, recent answers to prayer, or the bliss of a life blessed by peace on every side.

When I wake at night, I most often turn my thoughts to the wonder of God’s presence with me, and I thank Him for His care and love. Then I pray for those whose faith is being tested at that time.

I like what the psalmist did. He wrote, “I reflect at night on who you are, O Lord…” (Psalm 119:55). My hunch is that those reflections focused a lot on God’s unfailing love and faithfulness. Perhaps they also focused on His sovereignty, wisdom, and power. The result? Obedience. “…Therefore, I obey your instructions.”

The more we meditate on who God is (based on the truth of His word, not on human misperceptions), the more courage and confidence we gain to walk in obedience. As we come to understand His love for us, we realize He’s fully trustworthy. As we understand His wisdom, we learn to rest in His plans for us. As we understand His power and sovereignty, we gain courage to say yes even when we don’t know the details.

Perhaps your nighttime thoughts wander down the path of worry or fear. Maybe they take you to painful memories. Perhaps they lead you to a place of despair. If so, choose to refuse to linger there. Instead, do as the psalmist did—reflect on the character of God and allow the truth to transform you.

Here’s a song to get you started–”How Great is The Love,” by Meredith Andrews and Paul Baloche.

Photo Courtesy: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Tags: character of God, fear, God's unfailing love, nighttime thoughts, who God is, worry
Posted in Devotionals, Fear, God's Sovereignty, Love | 2 Comments »

Got Peace?

Monday, September 17th, 2012

After months of constant go-go-go, my husband and I needed some alone time to do nothing. No meetings. No phone calls. No schedules. Nothing. And so, we hopped on our Gold Wing motorcycle and headed east. Sunshine warmed us as we wound through the mountains, free and fully alive!

Buying the motorcycle was my idea several years ago. Gene jokingly says it’s my bike and he’s my driver. Some folks wonder why I don’t drive, but that answer’s easy: I’ll hurt someone. I crashed a friend’s motorbike on a neighbor’s front lawn when I was in my teens, and I’ve not recovered from that memory yet. Besides, I love having time to think and pray while we cruise.

We drove approximately 900 km (550 miles). I spent the bulk of that time praying for our immediate and extended family. I prayed for my readers and for women who will attend upcoming retreats and conferences where I’ll speak. I prayed for God to direct in several new opportunities that have come along, and for the big stuff like world peace.

I also praised God for His faithfulness and sovereignty. I thanked Him for the beauty of nature and for opening my eyes to delights I’d miss if riding in a car. Things like a white angel statue placed near a creek in a ditch. A teeny chipmunk scurrying to hide under a berry bush. A fox darting through the grass in search of prey.

Beautiful British Columbia as seen on our ride.

Occasionally, my thoughts wandered to hidden haunts…

Where worry dwells.

Where past pains reside.

Where fear lingers.

The mental sidetracks happened in a subtle way. No clanging bells warning me, “Hey, there! We’re taking you to a danger zone now!” Just a quiet veering off the preferred pathway into the darkness.

Thankfully, I recognized those mental sidetracks the moment they happened and immediately steered my thoughts back to where they belonged. Back to truth, goodness, light, and life. Back to joy, and back to peace.

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you,” says Isaiah 26:3. I experienced the truth of these words this weekend. Embrace them for yourself, my friend. Mind your mind today. Keep your thoughts where they belong—on truth, goodness, light, and life—and you’ll experience peace.

Tags: beauty of nature, fear, perfect peace, praying for family, thoughts, worry
Posted in Devotionals, Peace | No Comments »

A Lesson in Generosity

Friday, September 7th, 2012

When Scripture repeats the same word multiple times in quick succession, we need to pay attention. God’s trying to tell us something important, and repetition is the key. He caught my attention recently using the word generous. Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-13 and count how many times it, or a form of it, is used:

“Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. ‘For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.’

And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

As the Scriptures say, ‘They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.’

For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to them, they will thank God…

Your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.”

God obviously values generosity. Sometimes I wonder, however, if fear gets in the way of our displaying the same quality. Know what I mean? We’re afraid to give generously lest we won’t have enough to meet our needs (or wants).

What does that say about us? It says we don’t understand the faithfulness or even the desire of God to meet our needs. It also says we don’t share God’s compassion toward those who are less fortunate.

When we lived in Nepal, the generosity of our villagers astounded me. At that time (1982-85), Nepal was the fourth poorest country in the world. The people with whom we lived had next to no material possessions, and yet they’d bring gifts of food to us. Their offerings, nay, their example, blessed us beyond words. How much more should I give freely to others from my abundance?

Opportunities to be generous abound because needs are endless. We can give through our churches, through mission organizations, through local charities, and through organizations such as World Vision (we support two children in India and Nepal).

Someone once said, “Give hilariously!” I agree. Let’s be more generous and less concerned about our lack. Because God’s a generous giver, we ought to model the same characteristic. Let’s give freely from our abundance, or even our lack, and trust Him to bless our obedience.

Photo courtesy: FreeDigitalPhotos.net (thanks for generously allowing people to use photos free of charge)

Tags: compassion, fear, generosity, Nepal
Posted in Devotionals, Finances | No Comments »