Hello, Sisters of Mine!!!
This week is going to be a doozie for me. I come from a long line of professional worriers. In fact, if you don't suffer with anxiety and worry over your children, you must not love them very much. All this is baloney, but honestly, there was a time when I saw worry and anxiety over my family as "normal" for a loving mom. It was all I knew. It was a shock to my system to discover that anxiety and worry were actually sin!!!
How many of you have suffered with the French philosopher Montaigne (whoever he is) who said: "My life has been full of terrible misfortunes, most of which never happened"? I will be the first to raise my hand! I have spent sleepless nights worrying about symptoms I was absolutely sure would kill me by morning...along with various other vain imaginings. Right about now, those of you who know Peter are feeling a great deal of compassion for him:) and it is justly deserved.
So, girlfriends, what are thinking about as you work through this chapter on "Courage"?
Love to you all!!!
Cherri
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I am finally back and was able to read all your post over the last coouple of chapters. Thanks for sharing your hearts.
ReplyDeleteWorry, anxiety, lying! This last year I have really seen how worring and anxiety are sin! Seeing our oldest son struggle with health issues and one of his sons struggle with health issues and just this week our newest grandson struggle with issues. Anxiety controlled me. I still go and visit but don't stay long. Anxiety definitely Chokes us!! Nothing surprises God! For me I cling to Phil 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your request to God" "in everything" Yes everything. "by prayer and petition"- earnestly pleading, persevering, and enduring, and waiting, waiting, waiting on God. " with thanksgiving" Big struggle for me. How could I be thankful. Oh Karen you have so much to be thankful for. He saved me, He has given me His Holy Word, His Holy Spirit, and the most precious gift of all- His Son. So I have abundant reasons to be thankful. " and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard (karen's) your heart and your (karen's) mind in Christ Jesus Phil 4:7 What a precious blessing.
Karen. It is so good to have you back on the blog with us! It seems God has been trying to get across to many of us that same lesson: to trust and wait and in the meantime to do good. You would think that after all the years of watching our God do the miraculous with the ashes we give Him, we would finally be able to stop our ears against the lies of our enemy and defeat the anxiety in our minds. Lynn, reminded us the other day about the importance of doing what we learned in "Breaking Free"...taking every anxious thought captive and remembering God's truth, just as you did in your post. I think we are all getting better. Honestly, none of us STAY there any longer. Doing this new Bible study has encouraged me because I remember how completely debilitating my fear and anxiety used to be...I was incapacitated. I was thanking God tonight here in North Carolina. It is because of Him and His healing work in my life that I can even visit my son and his family. He is good! Thank you for sharing, Karen. Please let us know how to pray for your family. Love to you, sweet friend!
ReplyDeleteCherri
Ps. Once again I am typing on an iPhone. So my typing is literally "all thumbs":)! Forgive any bizarre auto corrects or typos!!!
I have fallen behind, playing catch up today. I had lots going on the 4th and a birthday party on yesterday (Sunday the 10th) for my little granddaughter Ella she turned 5. We had about 51 people at my house for a pool party. This morning when I did courage day 4, the Holy Spirit really convicted me of judging my husband. Of course I didn't think I was doing it, but I was. As I set allowing the Holy Spirit to talk to me I could plainly see I need help in this area. God has really restored me from my past, 2 aboritions, and so much more, I need to give others mercy. This is really a area I struggling with. One of my first scriptures I memorized my II Cor 5:17, old things passing away. I need to trust that God can allow old things to pass away for others as well... Please sisters pray that I will allow mercy and grace for others, manily family, but everyone. This Character Makeover is hard work, maybe I need to just relax and let God do the work. Looking forward to a week of more dying to my flesh. God Bless
ReplyDeleteOne of the beauties of doing a Bible study online through a blog is that there is really no set time limit on when we need to have each week of this study done. We can take our time individually and add to the blog as we work through the book. So don't fret Bettie! We enjoy your posts as you can make them.
ReplyDeleteI will gladly pray for you, Bettie. I can see that God is answering your prayer already in the words you write. I am so thankful that our Lord does not allow us to stay where we are. I think it was Beth Moore who said once in one of her studies that she hoped she would always keep growing...that God would continue to show her areas that needed change because that is the great adventure with God...growing more and more into the likeness of His Son!!!
I hope you have a blessed week, Bettie!!! And that you can get some well-deserved rest!
Love,
Cherri
Hi all!! My name is Tina Little. I have been going through the book, but haven't had the chance to come onto the blog - so I'm gonna give it a try. I am a kindergarten teacher enjoying my last few weeks of summer (we start school on august 8th) and spending as much time as I can with my husband and five small children.
ReplyDeleteThere were several things that hit home in this chapter on courage. Worry and anxiety are things that I struggle with often, but have been learning to let go of by leaning on God!! I love Matthew 6:34, "So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of it's own. There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings." This is so my life!! Since I had triplets 4 1/2 years ago I have to focus on today, enjoy it, praise God for everything that I have, and get done as much as I can, then try again tomorrow.
An area that I am praying about and will focus on is the "fear of criticism" or what other people think. I am memorizing Joshua 1:9, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Anytime I am in a situation that I start to focus on me, I will turn my focus back to God, where it should be.
Tina Little
Hi Tina!
ReplyDeleteIt is so good to hear from you!! I love what you posted about focus...that you focus on the day...not tomorrow or next week or next year and all the "what ifs" in life. I have been thinking about the same thing. Doing what God has asked me to do today. Sometimes my fretting so about the future makes it difficult to hear what God has for me in the moment for that day!
I also can relate to your last thought... "anytime that I am in a situation that I start to focus on me, I will turn my focus back to God, where it should be." Amen, Tina! This is my desire as well.
I hope you have a blessed week and I look forward to hearing from you again!!!
Love you...
Cherri
Good morning ladies.
ReplyDeleteCourage...perhaps being "older" has its advantages after all. I was blessed to see how far the Lord has brought me in this area. I used to think the most fearful thing would be to lose my job (I was an executive in corporate America for over 25 years.) When it happened five years ago (not related to the recession but due to "religious persecution" so they accused), my hubby & I decided I would work in my business.
Then my husband abruptly ended up on disability from his job, the recession hit and my biz starting taking a tumble. Our income that first year was less than what I had paid in taxes the year before. Our mortgage consumed over half of our income. We had more month than we had money. Anxiety consumed me.
Looking back now, I see it was God taking me to a new level of trusting in Him. Letting go. Letting God. Considering the worst possible outcome & saying "not my will, but Thine by done." Counting my blessings instead of my trials. Courage to stand. He took a cowardly lion and made me strong in Him.
What He did reveal to me currently in my life is that I need courage to lovingly face my adult daughter when called to and wisdom to step back and let Him take care of the situation as He directs.
I continue to be amused at what the Holy Spirit reveals with each new character trait we study. It has been nothing that I had anticipated. But then, that is so like God isn't it?
Love to you ladies!