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?”
This 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
Thank you Emily. Feeling a bit lost this morning in my own issues and issues of the family, I turned to seek out a verse from the Bible to help comfort me. I first looked into Romans, then changed over to Psalm 27. After I read this, I saw your communication on Facebook and began to read your article. Although my situation is a bit different, I still could relate to what you were saying .
You have helped me gain a bit of hope this morning. It has been a rough couple of months and even more the last several weeks.
Thank you again for what you do.
Karen
Karen, Thank you for your encouraging comments! God has a way of reaching our hearts with His hope when we search for Him, does He not? We at Daily Dose of Encouragement will pray for you and your situation – for the Lord to continue to draw you to Himself, and give you hope and peace! There is always hope, for as Jesus said with His own lips…with God, all things are possible!