Day Seventeen
DAY SEVENTEEN
Over the next two days we are going to continue to look at the things that steal our faith, and stop us from building reserves and riches of faith. This journey has been very helpful for me, because I’m not naturally a very self-analytical person. It has helped me to stop, and take stock of where I am and what is affecting me, so that I can move forward and deal with it.
Today we are going to look at the faith stealer of worry and anxiety. Ps Ashley wrote in his book “No More Fear” that worry is a form of control. Because we feel alarmed by circumstances that seem beyond our control we become anxious about the future, and try to control the outcome through worry. Fear or worry is the opposite of faith and yet it is our natural and human response to circumstances that challenge us. Instead of avoiding worry, and trying to escape its clutches (which some could call denial) what if we embraced it, and felt its force but then allowed it to push us through it, to find a place of trust and faith filled rest in God. (Even as I’m writing this, this is speaking to me!) Sometimes I’m guilty of trying to run FROM fear instead of run TO God! While I’m running from fear, tangled in worry, I’m the prey of fear, it ravages my emotions and body so I can’t sleep, think straight and drains my emotional energy. On the contrary, when I run to God He shelters me in safety, gives me peace in the storm, and gives my faith a safe place to become activated!
I love the words of Psalm 46
God is our refuge and strength, avery present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains becarried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling.
There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;
God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;
He uttered His voice, the earth melted.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
Who has made desolations in the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;
He burns the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
The Lord of hosts is with us;
The God of Jacob is our refuge.
Lets meditate on this Scripture today