Get on the Boat, Sis!
People are a trip. They will pray fervently for the Lord to remove them from a difficult situation and place them into a better one. However, when the Lord sends THE boat that He intends to use to get them to the other side, they hold their feet and refuse to get on. Mannnn, people are a trip. It’s me. I’m people.
The Lord has continually prepared and provided me with new opportunities, but because they weren’t packaged like I wanted or expected them to be… I rejected them. Whether it was due to my fear of the unknown or my limiting expectations, that nature is disrespectful to God’s omniscient presence and power as well as His divine will for our lives. How do we overcome our human nature that can predispose us to such unbecoming characteristics as worry, fear and self-doubt? These characteristics only serve to limit our progress and impede us from enjoying the fullness of God.
The 3 things that I am currently using to help me overcome the paralyzing effects of fear:
1. Spending time in the Word:
Daily reflection on God’s word provides with the opportunity to praise and worship Him for being God and for the marvelous works that He has done in my life. The scripture provides countless examples of faith, perseverance, love, restoration, power, hope and grace; helping me endure when life is difficult and rejoice because I’m equipped with the confidence to know that better is coming. It always does.
While solitude and uninterrupted time with the Lord is ideal, suburbanchicmoms everywhere unite and realize that we’re always chasing more time. Time for ourselves… our spouses… our friends… our hobbies… our kids already get all of the time, but we long for more time with them, too. However, it’s important not to allow the days when you’re short on time to prevent you from spending time in God’s presence. His time just as our tithes should come off of the top. #periodt Audible, The Bible App and most devotional apps have an audio feature, which allows you to effectively utilize those moments while you’re getting dressed or driving into work that would otherwise be filled with nonsense.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
2. Daily prayer and positive affirmations:
Prayer offers the opportunity to share with God the desires of your heart while expressing your worries and fears that you’re attempting to carry, independently. I feel such a release following prayer also sense of peace, most times. Even when I am lost for words, I tell the Lord just that and find peace in knowing that He still hears me and understands.
It’s also important to incorporate prayer into my family. We didn’t get to where we are on our own will. I’m thankful for those that came before me and prayed for because they had the divine inclination to know that I would need it. For my husband and me, prayer is an additional form of communication, in a judgment free zone, that deepens our bond with one another and ultimately our relationships with God. For my children, it is preparation for a fulfilling and effective prayer life as they grow.
I have always believed in the power of positive thoughts and positive speech… even before the positive affirmations craze. Practicing positive thoughts and speech provide the opportunity to place positive energy into the atmosphere while restoring my confidence in myself, my beliefs and my abilities. It’s a cycle. The more you speak positivity, the more positivity will come your way. Prayer and positivity (some refer to it as faith) change things.
Mark 11:22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
3. Lastly, acting on the steps to achieve your goals in spite of fear, worry and/or self-doubt:
As believers we know, faith without works is dead. (James 2: 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.) God has equipped us will all that we need, but it is up to us to move our feet. Can you imagine the things that you will accomplish, places you will go and the things that you will see if you just take the first step… then the next… and the next… until you get to the other side?
I challenge everyone that has taken the time to read this blog, to implement these tips into your daily routine and make the rest of this year one of your most pivotal, life-changing experiences, yet. Ask yourself, what do you want and how will you get there. AND always remain open to the various methods of transportation that the Lord may supply to get you there.
In the Name of Jesus. Amen.
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”