I plug in and connect to God in many ways. Currently through and
online Bible Study hosted by Proverbs 31 ministries called Stressed Less
Living, also with an email devotional called The Word for You Today and a Joyce
Meyer devotional called Trusting God Day by Day. I also meet in a small group
bible study on a regular basis and listen to my local Christian radio station.
While each provide encouragement and relevant insight into my life and
circumstances I find, that God often touches the depth of my heart through
songs of praise which prompt me to go to His word and seek to get to know him
better.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to grow in Christ and share
my vulnerabilities with people after God's heart. Here is an example of
revelation I received after one of my bible study group meetings.
It still amazes me that once I confess a fear outloud just how
easily God renders it powerless and it loses its grip on my mind, heart and
actions. Glory to God.
Following my confession that my fear of not belonging was
hindering me from taking bold steps- no sooner home, God began unravelling the
lie and revealing his truth...I do belong. I belong to him. To his kingdom. To
his people. No need to long for belonging or fear not belonging. Glory to God.
Then when I woke up the next morning, I was already praising him
with the following; “I am not home yet-this is not where I belong-take this
world and give me Jesus-I won't keep searching for answers that aren't here to
find” (lyrics to where i belong from building 429) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he32vwlKQPY
By the end of the day and my his grace alone his words finally
sunk in and dropped the short distance from my mind to my heart- a process that
doesn't always happen so quickly. Glory to God.
Finally, he revealed to me the assurance of belonging no matter
where I am or who I am with because he has blessed me with an eternal
perspective on belonging- my heart is filled with joy and anticipation for a
hope and a future of belonging eternally; afterall, life on earth passes in the
blink of an eye. Glory to God.
As I sought deeper understanding of this fear and confirmation for
his word I came across the following http://www.jennyraearmstrong.com/2012/12/02/good-christian-fears-is-fear-crippling-your-walk-with-christ/
It was particularly interesting to read about the fear of my own
potential then to go on and complete an exercise asking God to help me identify fears I have,
lies I believe and shame I carry. Then I searched Scripture for truth and
posted it on my fridge, mirror, at my desk and in the car so that I could call
it to mind often and allow it to soak in my heart.
I am so thankful to God for his unrelenting faithfulness and for
pouring his word into my spirit through the sweet sweet sound of music and
lyrics. I pray that God reveals the truth of your fear this week and that by
his grace you can walk freely and boldly through the things he is calling you.
In the meantime, I share with you other songs that have personally
touched my life- the experience of which have created such powerful joyful
memories that when I hear these songs I am reminded of God’s unconditional
love, faithfulness and grace.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdjRmM0Q0qs By your side – Tenth Avenue North (at a time
in my life when I was heartbroken over a lost love)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCJ3eHYs3vI
Seventh Day Slumber – I am not the same (as I prepared to live a stressed less
life in my job and immediately prior to my water baptism)
2 Corinthians 5:17 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ
has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in
me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because
I have overcome the world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFld2jeqKfw
We won’t be shaken – Building 429 (following a decision to explore a different
path in my career and to grow in my commitment to Christ and God’s purpose for
my life)
Psalm 62:2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress (a
place of safety where the enemy cannot follow) where I will not be greatly
shaken.
Psalm 16:8 I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be
shaken, for he is right beside me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtg9axTtNLg
Already There – Casting Crowns (when anxious thoughts began to take over
despite proclaiming that I am free from worry and anxiety)
“God is not bound by time as I am. All I see is the
here and now and things often look random and out of control-God is standing at
the end of my life looking back on it. Jesus will bring this world together for
good- it makes no sense from here but we have to remember that Jesus is Already
There.” Mark Hall Casting Crowns. Jeremiah
29:11| Romans 8:28|Matthew 25:14-30| 2 Timothy 1:9
This last one also ties into my take away from Chapter
5 of Stressed Less Living by Tracie Miles:
“The truth is, no matter how strong we think our faith
is, we can never live up to the standards and perfection of Jesus. We will
never be able to handle stress with holiness as he did. We will never be immune
to the temptation of reacting to stress in negative ways, but we can rest
in knowing that Jesus understands our shortcomings.”
May you be richly blessed.
Chantale
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