Saturday, June 19, 2010
Thursday, June 17, 2010
FEAR
"I tell you not to worry about everyday life -- whether you have enough." Matthew 6:25
Fear is a mean and selfish girlfriend. She takes all of your time if you let her, bugs you endlessly, robs you (of your peace of mind), demands all of your attention and will consume your mind, spirit and body wreaking havoc and leaving you weak at the knees. Oh yes, she absolutely refuses to share you with anyone so you will find yourself alienating your friends and family. She will, however, share you with her best friend, Worry. Together they will tag team you into a vortex of despair with no return.
If she sounds like the girl for you, think twice. When she's through with you, you will die spiritually and physically. She'll leave you with her trademark gray hair, tired eyes, empty spirit, and some kind of health problem, for sure.
There is no fear that can't be resolved by turning to God. He told us:
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Luke 11:9)
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. (John 15:7)
Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24)
He is no liar.
If you need practical advice on HOW to do this, here are eight worry-stoppers as written by Max Lucado in his book FEARLESS:
1. Pray first. (God should be your first resort, not your last)
2. Easy, now. Slow down. "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him" (Ps. 37:7)
3. Act on it. Become a worry-slapper. Treat frets like mosquitoes. As easily as you would swat a pesty mosquitoe, be equally decisive with anxiety. The moment a concern surfaces, deal with it. Be a doer, not a stewer.
4. Compile a worry list. Over a period of days, record your thoughts. Review them and see how many of them turned into a reality?
5. Evaluate your worry categories. Your list will highlight themes of worry. Pray specifically about them.
6. Focus on today. God meets daily needs daily. Not weekly or annually. He will give you what you need when it is needed.
7. Unleash a worry army. Share your feelings with a few loved ones. Ask them to pray with and for you.
8. Let God be enough. "Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need" (Matt. 6:32)
Eight Steps: {P}ray, {E}asy now, {A}ct on it, {C}ompile a worry list. {E}valuate your worry categories. {F}ocus on today. {U}nleash a worry army. {L}et God be enough.
P-E-A-C-E-F-U-L.
Fear is a mean and selfish girlfriend. She takes all of your time if you let her, bugs you endlessly, robs you (of your peace of mind), demands all of your attention and will consume your mind, spirit and body wreaking havoc and leaving you weak at the knees. Oh yes, she absolutely refuses to share you with anyone so you will find yourself alienating your friends and family. She will, however, share you with her best friend, Worry. Together they will tag team you into a vortex of despair with no return.
If she sounds like the girl for you, think twice. When she's through with you, you will die spiritually and physically. She'll leave you with her trademark gray hair, tired eyes, empty spirit, and some kind of health problem, for sure.
There is no fear that can't be resolved by turning to God. He told us:
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Luke 11:9)
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. (John 15:7)
Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24)
He is no liar.
If you need practical advice on HOW to do this, here are eight worry-stoppers as written by Max Lucado in his book FEARLESS:
1. Pray first. (God should be your first resort, not your last)
2. Easy, now. Slow down. "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him" (Ps. 37:7)
3. Act on it. Become a worry-slapper. Treat frets like mosquitoes. As easily as you would swat a pesty mosquitoe, be equally decisive with anxiety. The moment a concern surfaces, deal with it. Be a doer, not a stewer.
4. Compile a worry list. Over a period of days, record your thoughts. Review them and see how many of them turned into a reality?
5. Evaluate your worry categories. Your list will highlight themes of worry. Pray specifically about them.
6. Focus on today. God meets daily needs daily. Not weekly or annually. He will give you what you need when it is needed.
7. Unleash a worry army. Share your feelings with a few loved ones. Ask them to pray with and for you.
8. Let God be enough. "Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need" (Matt. 6:32)
Eight Steps: {P}ray, {E}asy now, {A}ct on it, {C}ompile a worry list. {E}valuate your worry categories. {F}ocus on today. {U}nleash a worry army. {L}et God be enough.
P-E-A-C-E-F-U-L.
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