Posts Tagged ‘peace’

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Do it Afraid

Monday, April 26th, 2010

Last week I wrote an article based on interview with Cindy Winters. She’s the widow of Fred Winters, a Baptist pastor who died on March 8, 2009, when a stranger entered his church, sauntered down the church aisle, and opened fire on him as he preached.

Cindy told me that she used to be a very fearful person. She said that when she identified and confessed fear as an area of bondage in her life, God began teaching her how to move beyond it through experiences that were far beyond her comfort zone, such as short-term mission trips. She admitted that she didn’t embrace these lesson-learning experiences with joy, but she chose to do them despite her fear because she knew God was asking her to obey. She used a phrase that has stuck with me like Velcro: “Do it afraid.”

Gideon did it afraid, too. He was simply going about his routine tasks when God showed up one day and gave him a special assignment: “Go with the strength you have and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” (Judges 1:1-40).

How did Gideon respond? He completely overlooked the Israelites’ need for rescue and saw only the obstacles. He argued with God: “But Lord….” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family.” The fear of inadequacy loomed large, but he had other struggles besides:  

  • The fear of the enemies that ravaged his country (v. 11).
  • The fear of encountering the angel of God face to face (v. 22, 23).
  • The fear of opposing his family and townspeople by destroying Baal’s altar and the Asherah pole (v. 27).

Yes, he was a fearful guy, but thankfully he didn’t allow his fears to stop him from obeying God’s call. As a result of “doing it afraid,” he experienced God in an intimate way. Verse 24 says it like this: “And Gideon built an altar to the LORD there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means ‘The LORD is peace’).” In the midst of his fears, he knew God’s peace. This discovery would never have happened if he’d said no.

What swayed Gideon to “do it afraid?” Personally, I think he believed God’s promise spoken twice within a few moments.

  • “Mighty hero, the LORD is with you” (v. 12).
  • “The LORD said to him, ‘I will be with you’” (v. 16).

To every believer, God has assigned the task of rescuing the lost from the enemy’s clutches. He tells us to go, to be actively involved in this mission, and then He gives us the same promise He gave to Gideon: “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19,20).

The choice is ours. Say no, or say yes. Our answer reveals what we believe to be true about God – saying no means that His presence and power are insufficient for the task. Saying yes reveals the opposite and results in knowing God’s peace.

What is God asking of you today? Please don’t let the enemy win. Please – do it afraid.

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Sure-Fire Remedy for Feeling Stressed

Monday, November 30th, 2009

Sometimes, especially in winter, the skin on hands dries out. I can almost hear it sigh with relief when I apply lotion. Aaaahhh, it seems to say. That feels gooood. My body responds in the same way when I soak in a hot tub after a long trip. And my eyes, strained and bloodshot after an all-night flight or too much time staring at a computer screen, feel refreshed when I treat them with cool drops of Visine.

My heart and my mind are no different. Sometimes I feel wearied by stuff like writing deadlines and the constant demand to keep up with ever-changing technology in the publishing industry. Then there are real life issues, too – we’ve lost three parents in the past two years, moved to a new city and established a national ministry, traveled overseas for ministry seven times, and the list goes on. When responsibilities snowball and stress builds up, my heart and mind simply get tired. But over the years, I’ve discovered a sure-fire remedy to ease that stress and bring relief and refreshment.

Psalm 119:162 says, “Those who love your law have great peace and do not stumble.” What a gem this verse is, and how true!

My remedy to stress and feeling overwhelmed is to delve into God’s Word. When I’m tired, His promises reassure me of His strength working in and through me. When I’m baffled about a specific situation, His Word tells me that He’s my resource for infinite wisdom. When I’m feeling kicked around, His Word says He’ll be my defense. When I’m scared about what the future holds, His Word reminds me that He’s sovereign and holds my future in His hands.

I read God’s Word and a great sense of peace washes over me. It calms my anxious heart and stills my fearful mind. It’s  physical and mental effect is undeniable. It’s so real, so viable that I can almost hear my heart and mind say, “Aaaahhh, that feels gooood.”

Maybe you can relate. Do you have a favorite Scripture that gives you peace? If so, please share it with us.

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Marks of Ownership

Friday, September 25th, 2009

Once upon a long time ago, I attended a conference at which the speaker said something like, “When people look at you, can they see that you belong to Jesus?” He gave an analogy about how children often bear a resemblance to their parents – their eyes are the same color or their ears are the same shape. Maybe they even demonstrate the same mannerisms.

In my case, I thought about my nose. By no means is it dainty. It has a bump on the bridge and a bulb at the bottom, and wouldn’t ya know it? It looks just like my dad’s. In fact, the older I get, the more it resembles his. It’s obvious that I’m Henry’s daughter; the shape of my nose is his mark of ownership on me.

In the spiritual realm, God has placed His mark of ownership on us by giving us His Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 says, “And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.” And when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He produces character qualities in us such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22,23). These characteristics demonstrate to a watching world that we belong to Jesus. They are His mark of ownership on His children.

The speaker’s question – “When people look at you, can they see that you belong to Jesus?” – is the only thing I remember from that conference. It challenged me then and it challenges me now. I’m sure there are days when those who know me best would hesitate before answering positively, but my prayer is that, overall,  the answer comes back as “Yes!”

How about you? When people look at you, can they see Jesus’ mark of ownership on you? If so, that’s wonderful! If not, what needs to change?

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Dealing with Disappointment

Friday, September 18th, 2009

I’ve had two days to ponder some disappointing news: Moving From Fear to Freedom will be remaindered by the publisher in January. That means it will no longer be available in stores. What happened? Sales didn’t meet a certain standard, just like a gazillion other books pulled from publication after two years in public view.

I know how I struggled over writing this book…the labor pains involved in bringing it to birth. Now I feel like a mother watching someone pull the plug on my baby because he didn’t think it deserved to live. Sounds melodramatic, perhaps, but that’s just how an author feels when this happens.

Couple that with feedback that readers send me:

  • “This book has changed my life. It’s helped me identify fears I didn’t even know I had, and set me free;”
  • “This is the only book I keep on my nightstand, beside my Bible. I refer to it constantly.”
  • “This book gave me the courage to step out and start a home business that I’ve been wanting to start for years.”
  • “Thank you for writing this book. Your honesty has helped me be honest, and as a result, I’ve been able to let go of stuff that’s held me back for years.”

In the past week, two local women have told me they’ll be studying it with their small groups this winter. Good things are happening. God is using it to change lives. But the sales aren’t good enough to keep it on the shelves. Go figure.

As I grappled with my disappointment, the Lord gave me these words: “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, whose thoughts are fixed on you. Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock” (Isaiah 26:3,4).

The key word for me is fixed. My thoughts are tempted to flit and flutter from here to there and everywhere – wondering why marketing efforts didn’t produce more, wondering what more I could have done,  yada, yada. But God says to super-glue my thoughts on Him and Him alone. He has a purpose. He promises to accomplish all that concerns me. He knows what He’s up to even though I don’t understand. And He tells me to trust Him.

It’s been a difficult two days, but it’s been a good learning time. I’m practicing all those things I encourage my readers and audiences to do when they face disappointment. And guess what? I’m beginning to experience peace about it, just like God promised.

How about you? Have you faced a situation in which you fixed your thoughts on God and then experienced His peace?

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What do People See When They Look at Us?

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

Here’s a thought for the day, based on Galatians 2:4 where Paul wrote about false Christians spying on him. These folks were entrenched in religious rules and regulations, but they’d heard Paul’s message about “freedom in Christ” and wanted to see what that looked like in real life.   

When people – especially those entrenched in hopelessness or fear – look at me or you, what do they see? I’m not talking about the color of our shirt or the highlights in our hair. I’m talking about other stuff…our countenance, the reflection in our eyes, and our body language. When people look at me or you, do they see…

a)     a woman wrapped in peace or warped by worry?

b)     a woman who faces the future with confidence or with anxiety?

c)     a woman who reflects joy or the jitters?

Hopefully we can circle the first option in each of the above. And hopefully we don’t need to add a conditional clause such as, “When others look at me, they see a woman wrapped in peace except at certain times of the month,” or “When others look at me, they see a woman who faces the future with confidence unless that future is lookin’ a bit gloomy,” or “When others look at me, they see a woman who reflects joy except when circumstances don’t turn out the way she wishes.”

If we profess to know Christ, then let’s ensure that our lives reflect the hope and peace that’s at our disposal. That doesn’t mean we have to be “happy, happy, happy” all the time – personally, I think that mentality’s a farce. In real life, we face tragedies and heartbreaks, and we shed real tears. But in the midst of those difficulties, we have hope because Christ lives in and through us. He will never leave us or forsake us. He promises to provide for us, care for us, and hide us in the shelter of His wing.

When people look at me or you, let’s ensure they see Christ in us, the hope of glory. For me, that means learning to express immediate thankfulness to God no matter what circumstances come my way. What change (s) must take place in your life for that to happen on a consistent basis?

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Like a Small Child

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

 I’m the proud grandma of two adorable grandkids, ages 18 months and 3 months. Let me tell ya’ – nothing’s as sweet as spending time with them. I was in their home recently, when my daughter-in-law sat down to nurse the baby.

There he lay, blissfully content in his mommy’s arms, a perfect picture of Psalm 131:1-3: “LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great for me. But I have stilled and quieted myself just as a small child is quiet with its mother. Yes, like a small child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the LORD – now and always.”

Just as my grandson was content in his mother’s arms, so we can be content in God’s arms. When we trust in Him alone, our souls find rest. We no longer feel anxious or afraid. We no longer worry about the what-ifs. Rather, we experience peace that passes human understanding. We find hope. We find strength. Our inner man is quieted, as a small child is quiet with its mother.

“Father, teach me to be still and quiet in Your arms. I put my hope in You alone now and always. Amen.”

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Peace Be With You

Tuesday, June 9th, 2009

I posted a day early because I’m heading out of town for speaking engagements and not sure whether or not I’ll have email access while I’m away. Blessings on you, my friend. Here’s the next devotional…

Huddling in a room behind locked doors, Jesus’ disciples reeled from the events they’d just experienced. They’d witnessed their beloved leader being crucified like a common criminal, and now they feared for their own lives. The atmosphere was sullen, the mood grim. But not for long!

Suddenly Jesus – the risen and victorious Son of God – stood among His disciples! His first words to them were, “Peace be with you.” As He spoke, He showed them the nail prints in His hands and the wound in His side. Then He spoke again: “Peace be with you.” (John 20:19,20)

Why did He speak these words to His followers? And why did He show His wounds to them at that moment? Perhaps it’s because He recognized their shock and sorrow at His death. He also knew their fear of the future. He wanted to reassure them, to comfort and soothe them at their deepest point of need rather than leave them in their distress. His words and His wounds – visual evidence of His deep love for them and of His power to overcome all things – served that purpose.   

Let’s remember this encounter between Jesus and His followers when we experience situations that leave us feeling lonely, abandoned, hopeless, or afraid. Jesus is the risen and victorious Son of God! We can know His peace when we remember who He is and that His presence is with us.

Can you recall a time when He met you at your deepest point of need? How did He do that?

“Thank You, Jesus, for being my peace no matter what life brings.”

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