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Articles by Emily Wickham

“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

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

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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 Confrontation

 

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.”

2 Corinthians 9:8

UnknownI’m afraid. Not of what you might expect; rather, I’m afraid of speaking correction to one of my children. Difficulties arise from time to time in family life, and I’m beginning to recognize my tremendous hesitation to speak out. I’m afraid it will make matters worse. Plus, it’s easier to just take it and let it pass. Or is it?

Yesterday was filled with challenges. One of them was a strong difference of opinion with one of my children, which led to much upset. Wanting to respond properly, I endured and mostly maintained my composure. Yet eventually I retreated outside and dissolved in tears.

Life’s pressures overwhelm at times. Just when it seems we can’t handle anymore, something else descends heavily. Wonderfully God had given me today’s Dose verse earlier in the day. Grace–whew! I needed it! Abundant, overflowing, precious grace.

Thankfully my child apologized. That doesn’t mean, however, we saw eye to eye on everything our situation entailed. Which is where my fear comes in. Wholeheartedly I long for God’s best for my child, but I frequently feel so timid or inept when it comes to speaking correction. Instead of prayerfully trusting God for the outcome and moving forward responsibly, I’m cringing and avoiding conflict.

Motherhood takes courage. In a world where many positions are rightfully honored and valued, sometimes motherhood gets left behind. Sometimes Christian mothers aren’t appreciated for their repeated march into battle for their children. Certainly I don’t see myself as an amazing mother–probably a good thing. Perhaps, though, if I start looking at myself as God’s instrument in the lives of my children, courage will swell within and flow out with positive force.

While often I’m blind to it, God continually equips me as a mom. Though my faults abound, His grace abounds all the more. I will lean on Him to provide exactly what I need in this particular circumstance. He will not fail.

Motherhood takes courage … and God will supply.

Emily