I am afraid.....

I wrote this as a facebook note in December and wanted to include it in my blog - fear is something I fight regularly and I need to be reminded of these promises often!

I am afraid.  I am afraid of the dark, afraid of being exposed, of being vulnerable, of being rejected and of being ignored.  I am afraid of failing and disappointing those who are counting on me to follow through.  I am afraid of fear!  I fight fear regularly.  Although I've loved Jesus since before I can even remember, and am more aware today of God's power and promises than I was yesterday....I still struggle with fear on a regular basis.  (I'm even afraid that some of you may think I'm weird for writing about this!)

So - because I need to be encouraged by how God "speaks" to others, I thought I'd share this note to remind whoever may read it, that God knows exactly what you are going through, that He sees you and that He has specific words to say to you about your struggle.

Last night I went to bed a little anxious of what today may bring.  So - I set my alarm for 5am and headed out to the gym so I could be home by 6:30, just in time to get the kids off the school.  Mostly, my early morning gym run was an effort to convince myself of how strong I really am -- running a little faster and a little longer than usual.

Thankfully, just like God often does, a weekly devotional arrived in my email in-box this morning addressing ....yup, you guessed it.... FEAR.  God had some things to say to me about fear.  Nothing like addressing the specific issue I'm facing today, huh?

"I, even I, am he who comforts you. Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men who are but grass, that you forget the Lord your Maker." Isaiah 51:12-13

ouch.....have I forgotten who God really is?

"Hear me, you who know what is right, you people who have my law in your hearts: Do not fear the reproach of men or be terrified by their insults." Isaiah 51:7

ok....now I'm listening God.  Forgive me for fearing the wrong thing.

I was reminded to remember who God is....and who I am - His treasured child.

"I, even I, am he who comforts you...the Lord your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth..."
"For I am the Lord your God, who churns up the seas so that its waves roar—the Lord Almighty is his name."
"I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand—I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’” Isaiah 51:12-13, 15-16

"When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” (Psalm 56.1-13)

WOW - that's all great news for my fears, right?

God wrote a lot about fear in the Bible, Jesus talked of it often.  God knows that we are human and that, at any given time we may be fearful....of many different things.  I am not minimizing that there are real fearful situations out there.  This economy is unstable, our health may take a nosedive with one test result or doctor visit, accidents happen, and this is a cruel cruel world we live in -- yet, those of us who follow Jesus and trust in His promises are not to fear......there are countless principles and promises in God's word that assure us that God is in control, that He can fix any mess, resolve any situation and that He can accomplish any task!

I must remember that I can trust God, that I do not need to be afraid, no matter what may (or may not) come my way.

Have a FEAR-LESS day!!

My Creative Best

Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you've been given and then sink yourself into that.  Don't be impressed with yourself - don't compare yourself with others.  Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.  Galatians 6:4-5 The Message

This is great stuff and such encouraging words for an insecurity-ridden woman like me!  My creative best.....to sink myself into it and do the best I can with what God has given me....now, today.

I often find myself saying something to the effect of, "I'm doing the best I can with what I've got" -- or I may encourage someone else with the same words -- knowing that we can all get down on ourselves for not doing better, being smarter, loving more, ________  .... fill in the blank girlfriends.  We are not all that different.

Where do you find yourself lately?  I've hit the mid-forty mark in December and cannot believe how quickly the years go by.  Staring UP at my oldest child even more so makes me realize that my life is but a fleeting moment on God's timeline. 

Oh yeah, sidetracked - back to my thought.....  sometimes we can find ourselves so caught up in the planning for the big creative moment that we lose of those divine surprises that appear out of nowhere.  An opportunity to join God at work using the unique gifts given to each of us.

OR....

We find ourselves pondering the years we've "wasted" thinking about doing "something" ....  then finding ourselves doing nothing.  Know what?  I think we may be too hard on ourselves. 

Some of us may not feel all that creative when in actuality we are.  Its really how we look at it, isn't it?  You may be a writer with the ability to pen a story of intrigue and suspense while another is artistically creative -- with paints, clay or a camera.  None of those happen to be my forte.  But....I have ideas that brew in my head, causing me to dream big dreams about a life of risk and adventure.  I have words of wisdom because of where God has allowed me to wander and then brought me back to a place of restoration.  You probably do too!

According to this passage of scripture, God has certainly gifted us with a unique ability to express just how individual we are and creative He is!  It may be a talent or gift....or it may be a vocation....or season.....

So - how can I do the best I can today with what I've got?  Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Spend a few more minutes pondering on a passage from God's WORD, rather than rushing through our morning quiet time
• Linger a little longer on the phone with a friend, intentionally encouraging her (or him)
• Write a note of encouragement to one of your kids, or a friend
• Look for a blessing amidst the mundane
• Set aside an hour or two to work on a creative project...draw a picture....pen a poem
• Look for those divine surprises in your day - an opportunity to do something for the Kingdom, even if it remains forever unseen

Remember - each of us have been fashioned with God's hands, in His image, for His purposes.  Its up to us to believe this and take the next step in honoring Him with what we've got.  Have a creative day!!