Much ado about nothing...

I was talking to Curtis last week and he asked me a pretty pointed question. “Why don’t you post anymore about what the Lord is doing in your life?” The question kind of caught me off guard. I knew my posts had turned a lot more informational, but I hadn’t allowed myself much time to think why. But, the more I thought about it, the more I realized it’s a couple of reasons.

Fear. Not fear to post about what the Lord is teaching me, but that I feel like I’m constantly battling a spirit of fear. Honestly, it’s a fear that something is going to happen to prevent me from knowing a healthy, living Grey.

Second reason I haven’t really posted is because I haven’t really felt like there was really anything to share. During our infertility, the Lord was pouring down words of encouragement through His Word. I felt like I was learning something new every time I opened His Word.

But I was wrong to think, that this time during my pregnancy with Grey, He wasn’t also trying to teach me something. When Curtis asked me that question I realized what exactly the Lord was trying to teach me.

Being still, knowing that He is God, He’s in control, and resting in His arms. Just simply trusting and thus, resting.

There is such a stigma on the word fear, isn’t there? I find that in the Christian world very few people will admit to being fearful…especially if you believe that God is Sovereign and in control of all things.

Why is that? After all, we are all human and bad, unexpected things do happen. Is it because in the Christian community we are often too quick to counsel someone, “don’t worry, God’s in control” like it’s a slogan for a park at Disney? Could it be that too often we really don’t want to hear someone’s fears for fear that we’ll have to know too much, get involved or see them through to a better resolution?

I’m here to admit that for the majority of this pregnancy, I have really, really battled fear. However, I have not lived in a state of fear by God’s grace! I recognize that those fears are not of Him and claim His promises over Satan’s lies. But they do still surface.

I think that’s the mix up. Fear is going to arise. The turning point is – what are you doing with that fear?? Are you wrapped up in it? Living in it? Being it? Or do you recognize it for what it is and recognize God for how much BIGGER He is than that fear?

What are you fearful of? What constantly worries you? I want to encourage you to dig into the Word and claim God’s promises over your fears. Turn that fear into a specific prayer request. For example, “Lord, I pray that you would sustain Grey’s life in my womb, so that I might celebrate his life, hear his cries and teach him of this mighty God who made Him!”

Are you around others who remain fearful? Don’t be so quick to give counsel not to worry. Instead, take time to pray for them specifically, encourage them in God’s promises to His people.
In some ways the label of “Christian walk” implies that you are constantly moving, constantly attaining new promises…just never standing still. That is actually not true. I’ve found that, I’m not always “moving” in my walk. There are times when the command is to be still, seek Me and learn this principal. Really learn it.

This is where I am. I really feel like trust is something He’s really wanting me to seek from Him and learn. I have not even come close to mastering it, but I’m leaning further and further into Him and finding tremendous peace there.

I want to leave you with some great prayers of scripture from Beth Moore’s book “Praying God’s Word”.

Father, so often I feel like the boy’s father who first exclaimed, “I do believe!” then in a flood of sincerity cried out, “Help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) Please help me overcome my own unbelief, Lord, so I can start taking You at Your Word.

Father, I pray that the eyes of my heart may be enlightened in order that I may know the hope to which You have called me, the riches of Your glorious inheritance in the saints, and Your incomparably great power for us who believe! (Eph. 1:18-19)

Father God, according to Your Word, without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to You must believe that You exist and that You reward those who earnestly seek You. (Heb. 11:6) Lord, I want to please You. Build faith in me so my life will honor the life of Your Son.

If you feel comfortable enough, feel free to post your fears and I’ll be honored to pray over those. …or you can email me at sarah.jefferson@comcast.net.

“Faith never denies reality but leaves room for God to grant a new reality.”
-Jim Cymbala