Facing Down Fear like Nehemiah (Neh 4)

Boy, I feel I could write a book on the fear and discouragement I have faced over the years. I hope the Lord is contending with your spirit on these matters through our lesson this week.

I keep telling the LORD... he can have all my life. But I haven't always realized what that means. For instance, its fine for me to consider being surrendered about certain things that I like and the adventure of how God might play that out.... but what about the 'thorns' in my life.... Remember, James' sermon on the 'thorn in the flesh'? He challenged us to consider what our thorn is right now. I did. And, frankly its the thing that is breaking me. I want to run from it. I'm afraid it will last forever. And, when I recognize it....

I witnessed someone being confronted by sin recently. It was interesting to watch from the outside. They threw a pity-party. A Big one. And, they blamed everyone else. Brought other people into it. Carried on for a week. Then dumped it out. I prayed for them... waited on God... trusted. And, frankly, still don't know what all happened in their heart. I may be seeing some of the fruit of true repentance... but i don't expect to know until eternity.

Then it was my turn... I had to resist the same urges.... I had to remind myself that it is okay to accept the correction... and hold myself back from letting my flesh throw a tantrum. I had to find God's word.... apply it .... and in my thoughts I had to cling to what is good.... and throw off the sin that so easily entangles me. And, I had to remember, the story IS NOT OVER!!!!

Our enemy comes in and shows us our imperfections. He stands at the corner of our lives and mocks us... tells us we are not worthy to call ourselves Christians. He sometimes uses co-workers to also taunt us.... just like Nehemiah's friends. And he tries to get us to think that we won't succeed at glorifying God.... that we are rotten to the core... OR... here's one he got me with (temporarily) recently.... that the sins of my past are still as debillitating as they used to be.... frankly, in my soul I was whimpering in defeat.... until Jesus, by His Holy and most Gracious Spirit, reminded me I am More than a CONQUERER in Christ Jesus. WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERERS in CHRIST JESUS. Amen?

So, how is the enemy taughting you? Don't believe those lies girlfriend! You are an overcomer. You are a child of the Promise. Your life has been redeemed and now you have Christ's Resurrection Power to love others.. even your enemies, to abide in peace, to bear patiently with people, to endure hardship, to see past the tough circumstances and feed on the fountain of Joy that flows from the Throne of GOD.

Will you notice with me the word 'power' that is in the verse below. I've prayed and will continue to pray this verse for you.... and me too... that God will help us to understand HIS resurrection power that is at work in us.

Eph 1:18
¹⁸I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, ¹⁹and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, ²⁰which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. ²²And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, ²³which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

See? We have NO reason to fear or to be discouraged.... if our agenda is that same as God's.... to be conformed to Christ's image.... and the only opinion of ourselves that matters is God's opinion... and he LOVES you tenderly.... then, we just need to walk in the light... and let Him deal with the rest. Chances are you are making a huge impact if you are being tempted towards fear and discouragement.... just like Nehemiah!