Tag: fear

To Fear or To Not

I did a scary thing this week.

It wasn’t sky diving or acting on stage.

I didn’t speak in front of 1000 people or dance in the spotlight. (If I did the latter, that would be scary for ALL involved.)

And if I told you what I did, you wouldn’t think much of it. In fact, you probably wouldn’t think it scary at all.

For Joshua, stepping into the role he had only seen Moses do, must have been scary. In Exodus 34, it says that no one had ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Those are some big shoes to fill!

Joshua was told over and over again that the Lord was with him. The Lord told Joshua that he would lead the people to the promised land (Joshua 1:6.) No ifs, ands or buts…Joshua and the people would go into the promised land.

And Joshua was told multiple times to not be afraid or discouraged. But, being human and about to walk into the unknown, I’m sure he was.

I believe I know what the Lord has told me to do. I believe He is with me. I believe that what God initiates, He will sustain.

And yet, I fear. I think at the root is the fear of men and women. Sigh….

So once again, I am reminded that God is with me as He was with Joshua. If God is for me, who can be against me? He is a good Father. He will never leave me. If I continue to walk with Him, He will show me whether to go the the left or the right. I will remind myself of this constantly.

So yes, I fear. But I continue to do scary things. But not because I muster up my will and put my big girl pants on.

But because greater is He that is in me that he that is in the world. I’m on a mission.

You are too. Let’s move together and do the scary things. Let’s change our worlds. All for His glory.

Things Change

My retreat week has been quite uneventful. It’s been great. Very slow-moving. But things for others have changed. And sometimes it was quite quickly.

One man was doing his job – just as he had done for many years. But this day didn’t end like the others. He was struck by a vehicle and died.

I wonder about his wife. Did he kiss her goodbye that morning or because it was so early, did he let her sleep? Did they have lunch plans later that day or a vacation planned?

I wonder about the person who was driving the vehicle. What is he feeling?

People in California had to pack quickly and evacuate because of fires. What about their families, friends, pets, homes? Did they grab their pictures?

A person my age had a stroke. How has his life changed? A young person had a virus that landed him in the hospital for days. What has been going on in his mind?

Tim had minor surgery this week. Everything went as planned and we ended the day eating supper together and laughing. Other people received different news.

Oh, how do people do life without knowing that God is in control…that there is a plan and a purpose for pain? It’s hard sometimes even when we know that God is working. But there is comfort and peace that comes with that knowledge.

Peace isn’t the absence of pain or trouble or hurt. It is the very presence of Jesus in the midst of all that. Invite His presence into every area of your life. Every area – even the pain, the hurt, the doubts.

Oh, thank you, Lord. We don’t understand but, we trust in You. You are working – even when we don’t see it.