For those who prayed for me, it was nothing short of a miracle that as I spoke I did not cough once and my voice according to those ladies did not sound raspy. I felt the power of everyone praying all through my body...there was strength in my spirit.
After three session on being wise hearted God helped me bring it to a close with these three points that keeps us from being courageous wise hearted women of faith.
1. Full garage, empty soul. Materialism conditions our soul to play life very safe and be selfish. By contrast, courage requires us to be thankful and not trust our stuff here on earth. Jesus warned against materialism...a life comprised of a full garage but with an empty trivial souls.
2. Cynicism drains our lives of hope, optimism and creatively..raw material that help build our foundation of courage. The ability to always see the worst in people and situations is often a hiding place for fear, timidity and indifference. It allows us to be invulnerable observers rather than participants in stepping out in faith which could result in sacrificing. Worse, the cynic often justifies his lack of redemptive and courageous action. Ultimately, cynicism is the language of self preservation, which drains us of courage and shrivels our soul
3. But the one that robs us most of courage is fear. Fear is destructive and irrational. For example, some people possess a destructive pre-occupation with what others think about them--what the Bible calls part of the "fear of man", that cause them to betray their values and integrity . They have the disease to please man instead of God.
We all face a staggering array of "what if". What if I get cancer, what if my spouse dies, what if my husband never loves me, what if my child never believe in Jesus, and the list could go on and on.
The uncomfortable truth is, any of those things could happen. No one is free from tragedy and pain. There are no guarantees of an easy life. For any of us, Ever.
What steal courage from you, materialism, cynicism or just plain fear?
Glad to hear my prayers were answered Betty. Thanks for the update. I can't really answer your question though because I don't have a problem with materialism anymore (age has a way of dampening the "thing" movement). I'm not a cynical person. And I can't say I really have a specific fear that paralyzes me. I hope that doesn't sound arrogant or super spiritual because I do have and make my mistakes.
ReplyDeleteNot arrogant at all brother. Fact is if we walk with Him long enough those issues will become fewer and fewer. That is not mean we are sinless but sin does not control us anymore. One of the thing I like about being older is not having fear of man. I do worry sometime about the "what ifs" but through the years have learned there is a huge difference between fear and concern. Thanks Bill for your comment.
ReplyDeleteFear is by far the most destructive weapon I have battled, but God's grace is always so good and He is continually meeting me in those places where I have let it get a foothold. Because of His perfect love, I can say that fear is not winning the war. ;)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Dawn
Thanks Dawn for that encouraging comment. Yes, it is His perfect love, not ours that will give us victory over those issue of the flesh.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad to hear that the retreat went so well. I had no doubt that God would come through for you, and that YOU would come through for Him! I prayed, and I'm sure that the Spirit spoke to many women through your words.
ReplyDeleteLoved your last three points. Very wise indeed! You asked a question at the end of your post. What steals my courage? Hands down, it's fear. I worry so much about so many things. I pray, I try to have more faith, and sometimes I still lose the battle with anxiety.
But, what I am learning is that though the journey to trust is hard, the biggest antidote to worry is getting to know God more and more. Also, the more that I realize how very much He loves me, the less I seem to worry!
GOD BLESS!
Oh Sharon you are so right in your comment. It is know how Him that drives worry away, knowing nothing comes through to us that it first has to come through Him. By the way, where do you live in California...is it near Simi Valley?
ReplyDeleteNo, we live farther south. My hubby likes to stay private about where we live, so suffice it to say that we live about two hours away from San Diego.
ReplyDeleteWas just wondering, we have missionaries tucked all over the state of California. In fact we are heading to San Diego a week in November, tons of New Tribes Missionaries all over that area. I understand private...when we were overseas we never told when we were traveling...too risky. Thanks Sharon for wisdom, I so appreciate your comments on posts.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the answer of prayers for you and the words that God had for you to speak!
ReplyDeleteGreat lesson and I agree with you about fear being the biggest hindrance to our Father. We fear or revere the things of this world more than we do the One who holds everything in His palm! How could He not need to provide His lessons in the lives of those, especially believers that respect the people and things of this world in which He controls? !!! With you, sister. Nice job!
Thanks Floyd, I agree with you brother...the only fear we need to entertain is, "the fear of the Lord". Praying all is well with you, enjoying your posts, thanks for continuing to put out truth with honesty.
ReplyDeleteHey Betty ... Nothing like fear creeping in to steal our joy, our confidence, our serenity. The enemy of our souls knows just where to hit us, doesn't he.
ReplyDeleteBut always, always - greater is He who is in us than He who is in the world.
And therein lies our hope!
May your sabbath be blessed with restoration and smiles ...
Linda thanks for the comment..yes yes yes, He is greater then the one who wants us to fall into discouragement.
ReplyDeleteOh, all of the above (in your post). What an inspiring article. I am so thankful I found this today. My garage is downright embarrassing, and I've been meaning to fix it. Thank you so much for your inspirational words. God really is all we need.
ReplyDeleteOh Betty, thank you for linking this at Counting My Blessings. I remember my first moment of fear when I was 2 years old, and it was my faithful companion for more than 50 years. Then God allowed my worst fear - to have my love rejected. By His grace, the healing began. And living in freedom with Him . . . the best life has to offer. Sounds like the ladies at the retreat were especially blessed by your message.
ReplyDeleteApril, thanks for stopping by. I had to laugh at what you wrote about your garage, but it's so true. Usually we all have enough to outfit a couple houses. It's weird how much we keep that we don't ever use...a few moves usually take care of a lot of it. One idea I read was to put everything you use in a weeks time and get rid of the rest. Praise the Lord you are aware of the excess.
ReplyDeleteDeb, I love the wisdom I gleam from you blog. Thanks for your honest comment about fear.
ReplyDeleteGod is so good to show up just in time and He did an amazing thing for you and for those who prayed for you! Thank you for sharing with us here at "Tell Me a Story."
ReplyDeleteHazel my sister, I know you are a long time prayer warrior and I thank you for your prayers.
ReplyDeleteto be honest, all of them can and have in my life. Thankfully, God is showing me when I am letting materialism, cynicism, and/or fear hold me back from serving Him.
ReplyDeleteI don't always step forward in faith as I should. But God is patient, loving and gracious to as I learn to trust Him more.
Thanks so much for sharing these words of wisdom. God bless.
TC, you step out in faith every time you write your post, you took courage by the hand and wrote a book. From you post it is evident you are courageous wise hearted woman. I always welcome you comment on my post.
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