So last week i posted a question on facebook that i wanted a response to. Now i have another one that i would like a response to, but this question can be very personal, so i figure posting it on my blog that allows anonymous comments would be better. I am not asking for comments unless you feel like you want to, the reason for asking this question is to spark some thoughts on yourself. So here is the question:
What is the biggest vice that you deal with and what are the lies that make you fall into that specific vice?
How can you better flee from this specific vice?
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Fear and Faith
Matthew 14:27-33 (New International Version)
27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
29"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
When I worked at Horn Creek (a camp in Colorado) there was an issue with finances. I went up knowing that I was not going to be making much money, in fact, I knew I was going to break even after paying rent back home and car payment and such. Then we get the news that the camp may not be able to pay the summer staff, or really any of the staff, at all. I was devastated, and ready to just leave. I had fear of paying my bills. Fear that I had come to Colorado all in vain. Then God moved. God played his pieces just right so that we all did get paid each month. God worked in ways that summer that just strengthened my life and my walk with him. It also taught me about fear.
Many times in my life I have experienced fear, as I am sure you have had as well. I worry about my plans, my finances, my relationships with friends. What I have come to realize is that when I have fear in my mind, there is no faith in God in my heart. My faith in God's provision and his plans and promises in my life.
When my faith is strong, I know God can help me to do the impossible and the improbable. But when there is just a little seed of doubt, I become like Peter and just sink in my own fear and failures as I try to mend what may not be broken.
When you have fear in your mind, you leave faith with no room to live in. God's plan for you may not lead you to where you want it to right now, but I know from experience that where I am right now is where I want to be at the moment, because this is definitely where God has put me. So have faith that God wants to put you in a great place, and to keep you in great places throughout your life. Have faith that His plans are greater than you could ever hope for. And fear not. As Yoda puts it, "Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering." I'm not sure about all the middle stuff, but I can vouch for the whole fear eventually leads to suffering if you let it guide your life.
27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
29"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
When I worked at Horn Creek (a camp in Colorado) there was an issue with finances. I went up knowing that I was not going to be making much money, in fact, I knew I was going to break even after paying rent back home and car payment and such. Then we get the news that the camp may not be able to pay the summer staff, or really any of the staff, at all. I was devastated, and ready to just leave. I had fear of paying my bills. Fear that I had come to Colorado all in vain. Then God moved. God played his pieces just right so that we all did get paid each month. God worked in ways that summer that just strengthened my life and my walk with him. It also taught me about fear.
Many times in my life I have experienced fear, as I am sure you have had as well. I worry about my plans, my finances, my relationships with friends. What I have come to realize is that when I have fear in my mind, there is no faith in God in my heart. My faith in God's provision and his plans and promises in my life.
When my faith is strong, I know God can help me to do the impossible and the improbable. But when there is just a little seed of doubt, I become like Peter and just sink in my own fear and failures as I try to mend what may not be broken.
When you have fear in your mind, you leave faith with no room to live in. God's plan for you may not lead you to where you want it to right now, but I know from experience that where I am right now is where I want to be at the moment, because this is definitely where God has put me. So have faith that God wants to put you in a great place, and to keep you in great places throughout your life. Have faith that His plans are greater than you could ever hope for. And fear not. As Yoda puts it, "Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, and hate leads to suffering." I'm not sure about all the middle stuff, but I can vouch for the whole fear eventually leads to suffering if you let it guide your life.
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