This message hit close to home being in line with my 2011 words to live by: Be Not Afraid. At the start of the new year I declared these to by my words for 2011. In January the calendar already had three big events, not to mention the family shift of graduation and eventually starting college.
In the past six months, like most Christians, I have had to exercise my faith over and over. In each instance I have sought God and claimed I would not be afraid of what I did not know or could not control. Assessing these stressful situations from an internal point of view I believe I have managed most events in a calm and peaceful manner, experiencing much more enjoyment than anticipated through the pre-planning.
Spiritual maturity is often so incremental we don't notice until we have sufficient hindsight, much less expect notice from our general public. Conscious exercise to "be not afraid" in situations that I would naturally mull and worry over has allowed me to reduce my worry and concerns and in some cases letting them go. This is evidence my faith is deepening. Like all change, this doesn't happen without conscious discipline and exercise. If you are an agent of the kingdom your faith is all ready with you. The strength of that faith is yours to exercise daily with Bible study and prayer. Join me in these exercises, do not be afraid.
Pictures from:
wallpaper4god.com
rpmministries.org
canadaroses.com
"..the strength of that faith is yours to exercise daily..."
ReplyDeleteHold on to what works for you.
Sally,
ReplyDeleteI just memorized this verse this past week, so imagine my surprise when I read your blog post today :).
It's Psalms 56:3-4, "When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You. In God, whose word I praise, in God, I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me."
Rosaria, hope you are having a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteCJ, timeless lessons out there to be learned. Happy to be learning them with you!
I totally get you. If it were not for faith and trust in God, I could become so fearful and maybe even hopeless at times. Thank you for commenting on my blog. I understand exactly how you feel with 'graduations'!
ReplyDeleteSally,
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to meet a sister in Christ......Your blog is so full of inspiration and encouragement.....
You are so right....we do have to exercise our faith for it to grow not just wait for the big moment when it's needed....
Hugs and blessings,
Nancy
Good reminder and exercises, and yes, I'm in. It really is a walk, isn't it? Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteVery nicely written! Thanks for stopping by, I'll be checking out more!
ReplyDeleteYes and Amen...just like muscles in our body, which we don't always use, but when we need them we learn if we have kept them in shape or not...our walk of faith. Building and strengthening for those times when we need our spiritual muscles.
ReplyDelete