shadow

Articles from February 2015

“Fear not … ’’ You’ve Got to Be Kidding!: Fear in Exposure

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God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though ______ …

” Psalm 46:10

How would you fill in the blank for Psalm 46:10 as it appears above? Maybe you’re in a fearful place today. This week let’s talk about some of our fears and discover God’s way to overcome them.

 

Fear in Exposure

“The soldiers therefore … ‘DIVIDED MY OUTER GARMENTS AMONG THEM, AND FOR MY CLOTHING THEY CAST LOTS.’”

John 19:23-24

“Mom! Don’t let Gramma Weeze see me mak-ed!”

fridayAs a small chap, one of my sons uttered this cry. He was horrified at the thought of being seen without any clothes or pajamas covering him. I documented his words because the expression “mak-ed” was so cute and made me smile. But pondering his comment on a deeper level leads me to something people intrinsically possess: fear of complete exposure.

I’m not talking about exposure in the physical sense. I’m contemplating the fear of people seeing who we really are. What’s really inside. Our thoughts … our sins. Because we don’t want to be rejected, this frightful possibility prevents us from being real. And we lose out. Deeper relationships with our Christian brothers and sisters remain out of reach. The closeness we long to enjoy with our family in Christ eludes us like the proverbial carrot dangling from a string.

How can we change?

While Jesus hung on the cross, soldiers claimed parts of his clothing for themselves. Which means He was hanging up there … naked. Maybe He at least retained some sort of undergarment–I don’t know. But the humiliation of what He endured on our behalf surpasses my comprehension. The King of kings and Lord of Lords—stripped and crucified for all to see.

When the Holy Spirit helps us understand the depths Jesus went to secure our freedom from sin … the horror He suffered so we don’t have to … His love that’s ours and can never be taken away … we gain confidence to practice transparency with others. God sees every part of us and forgives us based on our faith in Christ. No matter how others see us, we are “accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:6)—truly a freeing thought.

That’s how we change.

Despite past failures or current struggles, “… where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin” (Hebrews 10:18). Jesus’ blood covers us! As we claim our identity in Christ, the Holy Spirit changes us.

We don’t need to live in fear of complete exposure. In Christ and by the Holy Spirit’s power, we are covered and changed.

Emily

“Fear not … ’’ You’ve Got to Be Kidding!: Fear in Anticipation

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God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though ______ …

” Psalm 46:10

How would you fill in the blank for Psalm 46:10 as it appears above? Maybe you’re in a fearful place today. This week let’s talk about some of our fears and discover God’s way to overcome them.

 

Fear in Anticipation

And it came about, when the days were approaching for His ascension, that He resolutely set His face to go to Jerusalem.”

Luke 9:51

thursday“Only two months away,” she happily commented. Anticipation brimming, my sweet friend referred to her upcoming wedding. Excited? Yes. Joyful? Indeed. Her dreams of being a bride would shortly become reality. In the meantime, she planned and prepared with twinkling eyes. Love motivates, propelling her closer and closer to her wedding day.

My mom used to say that half the fun of an upcoming event exists in looking forward to it. Counting the days, imagining details, and envisioning the overall delight surely does equal fun. Only this likely wasn’t the case for Jesus …

Throughout His life, Jesus anticipated the cross. He became a man for this very reason. What must it have been like for Him to look ahead to that torturous day? Did He dread it … fear it? Probably. Certainly Jesus experienced human feelings, yet they didn’t dictate His decisions.

Our heavenly Father’s express purpose in sending His Son was achieved on the cross. Jesus came to die … for our sins. Obediently, sacrificially, courageously Jesus left heaven’s splendor to ultimately hang on a splintered, humiliating cross. Before returning to His Father–ascending back into heaven–Jesus entered Jerusalem knowing the cross awaited. Undeniably He understood His calling and steadfastly remained committed to completing His Father’s will.

“These things Jesus spoke; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son, that the Son may glorify Thee.’”

John 17:1, NASB 

The Hour. Has. Come.

As we contemplate the cross, an instrument designed for destruction but destined by God to display His glory, we gaze upon the treasure of Christ’s Person. We’re transfixed by the vastness of WHO HE IS. As Jesus hung pierced by thorns and nails, scarlet blood flowing down, His unspeakably beautiful heart was exposed for all to see. The agony of the cross revealed Christ’s flawless, immense character, His extravagant love.

And in seeing Him, we’re enlightened to the character of the Father. They are one. Inexplicably united. Identical. Simply yet astoundingly, the cross—two pieces of wood— revealed God’s very essence. The Father willingly sacrificed His only beloved Son, and the Son was lovingly obedient unto death. Out of love for us.

Absolutely we cannot grasp this kind of LOVE!

Through Christ’s power living in me, I can deal with even the most unpleasant anticipation—whether of surgery, separation from a loved one, moving away from friends, whatever twists and curves life may throw my way. 

Marvel with me.

Emily

“Fear not … ’’ You’ve Got to Be Kidding!: Fear in Expectation

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God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though ______ …

” Psalm 46:10

How would you fill in the blank for Psalm 46:10 as it appears above? Maybe you’re in a fearful place today. This week let’s talk about some of our fears and discover God’s way to overcome them.

 

Fear in Expectation

“Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from God.”

2 Corinthians 3:5, NASB

“What storm are you facing?”

wednesdayThis morning as I chafed under a particular burden, Anne Graham Lotz’s comforting, wise voice spoke directly to me via the radio. I always love to hear what she shares: a thoughtful combination of God’s Word and corresponding, applicable wisdom. For my life. At that moment. Especially today.

Without hesitation I audibly answered her question, paraphrased above. My storm? Homeschooling.

I was experiencing an unpleasant moment of absolutely desiring to Throw. In. The. Towel. Weary of lousy attitudes, lack of motivation (mostly mine), helter-skelter scheduling, etc., I didn’t know which way to turn. But dear Mrs. Lotz followed her question with an encouragement, confidently communicating that whatever the storm, it would carry me closer to the Lord.

Homeschooling–this responsibility I’m often ready to relinquish, this daily sense of being behind, this constant concern my kids just aren’t getting enough educationally–THIS will carry me closer to Jesus?

YES. As I cling to Him in faith, He’ll handle my storm and every crashing wave in between. Nothing confounds or limits Him. NOTHING is impossible for Him. Why worry? GOD IS ABLE! Unfortunately, I waste time and energy entertaining anxiety, trying to homeschool in my own strength. I forget God maintains interest even in life’s ordinary aspects–mine, and yours–that sometimes brew into storms. Despite our frequent freak-out moments and feelings of inadequacy, He’s got it. We simply need to trust.

Now surrendering control yet again to my Lord, peace has re-entered my situation. I watch my children–one cheerfully participating in an online English class while another learns to utilize creativity in the wondrous outdoors. Still another one enjoys free time after successfully presenting a thoroughly researched verbal report this morning. What in the world had me so stressed?

I ponder in retrospect. Inwardly chiding myself, I recognize I’m too critical, too fearful about our homeschool state. Perhaps my negativity creates storms–ugh, what a discouraging thought. But even in that case, I hear the Lord’s gentle voice, reassuring me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9).

Breathing deeply, I rest within. God’s grace IS sufficient. Though I’m fragilely weak, HE remains strong.

Already I feel closer to Him.

Emily