How can this little rat be so happy sitting on that bomb? Perhaps he's become willing for the worst to happen?!That's my technique for overcoming fear. It sounds unpleasant, but I promise if you try it, it will take the power out of any fear you are experiencing. The thinking that gives fear it's power is, If that happens it will be terrible, horrible, beyond my ability to bear! So the first step is to imagine the worst-case scenario, and go there with God in your mind. What would you do? What might God do? Would you survive? If not, what then?Then comes the next step in the process. Believe for the best to happen! What is the best possible outcome? Imagine it and set your sights on it. This is not presuming upon God, but simply developing a positive outlook. You will be happier if you're believing for the best.Prepare for the worst; believe for the best, and you will find peace! Promise.Blessings,
Come visit us at warrenfamilylife.comIMAGE: Blue Sky Disney
I used to be afraid to ask God for something that might not be His will. After all, I thought, isn't Jesus our example when He prayed, "Not my will but Thine be done"? (Luke 22:42)But the truth is that when Jesus prayed that way, He knew God's will clearly. He realized it conflicted with his own desires at that time, and His prayer was one of surrender to His beloved heavenly Father. In contrast, I have prayed "Thy will not mine" out of unbelief, thinking that if I asked and God said "no" my faith might be shipwrecked.
Petitioning God for His will is not the only way to pray. Jesus also told us we could ask God for anything (John 14:14). We can enter His throne room with confidence (Hebrews 4:16) and pray for whatever we want, anything at all.If we ask Him for bread, He won't give us a stone, or a scorpion (Luke 11:11-13). If you think of one of your children requesting something that isn't best for her, you wouldn't give it just because she asked for the wrong thing! You would simply tell your child, no. God won't give us a bad outcome because we pray for something that's not His will, for He is the supremely loving Parent.Perhaps you are afraid of disappointment if you don't get what you ask for. But isn't it just as disappointing to not ask and not get (James 4:2)?Although I try to be led by the Spirit when I pray, I usually just ask God for what I want in faith, knowing He is conforming my desires in large part to His own (Psalm 37:4-6), and I let God decide what His will is!Blessings,
Come visit us at warrenfamilylife.comImage: The Passion of the Christ
You are good.
You are the Beloved of God.(Only because of the blood of Christ.)But still -- your identity is changed forever."I am deeply loved,
completely forgiven,
fully pleasing,
totally accepted by God,
and absolutely complete in Christ."
Stop for a moment, and read that out loud if you are able. I wrote these words on index cards and put one on my bathroom mirror, another on my dashboard, and another in my wallet. (This is random, but you might put the same words with your mate's name on the mirror as well. It is easy to forget that our mates are creatures of infinite value and not our enemies!)If you don't know in your gut (not just because "the Bible tells me so") but in your heart, emotions, and every fiber of your being that God loves you completely, then it is essential to keep the truth running through your mind until it sinks down into your heart ... for Satan is the "father of lies." If we keep our minds saturated with Truth, the evil one cannot touch us. It is not enough to read this little series of blogs once and have victory over self esteem. We must have the weapons of truth secure in the arsenal of our minds--truth that we can access in those times when life changes in an instant.The Search for Significance workbook is excellent for just that. As you work through the exercises, your self-esteem gradually becomes solidified, because it is based on the truth and the truth, my friend, will set you free.
Peace to you,warrenfamilylife.com
