Get Out of the Ant Bed!!!!!!!!

When there is good news to share, who do you call first? When a crisis comes into your family, where do you run? When the stress of life heightens to volcanic levels, how do you simmer down? When your insides are all twisted up, how do you unwind?
As a Believer, our answer ought to be first, "God!!" But if we are all honest, our first response is usually a person or a thing, then the Lord.
When panic and anxiety first came upon me, I went to Google. I read stories, testimonies, books, articles, self-help websites and bought books. I learned how to cut out certain triggers in my diet like sugars and caffeine. (Yes, I had to completely stop drinking sodas and coffee and cut out all desserts; and yes, I lost about 5lbs almost immediately!!!) Then, I studied breathing techniques. I also learned a lot about how stress hurts our bodies and the benefits of Conscious Language. There was lots of "wisdom" to be learned about handling anxiety and panic attacks. But what about healing my anxiety?!?
And while these "things" were helpful, they weren't healing. Truly, God is our Healer. It wasn't until my mentor had me in The Word of God that I began to understand my circumstances, my body, my mind...my war. Healing began "In the Beginning." The medication and help I needed was God's Manna of Daily Bread and drinking up The Living Water on a daily basis, and being satisfied fully! The Word of God is alive and it heals the soul. The sword of the Spirit is how wars are won!  (Ephesians 6)
Let me ask this: If you found yourself standing in an ant bed, would you simply just keep standing there putting ointment on as your body was under attack? Of course not! You would jump out and run, being sure to never step in that spot again and to be sure that never happened again, you'd return only to drop some death on that sinful spot! And yet, we allow ourselves to stand in emotional or spiritual "ant beds." We try to stop the pain from the bites without success because we don't remove the "ants." We will not find relief until we get out of the sinful spot!!
I am surprised at how long we will keep standing there apply ointment when what we need to do is flee!!!
I could talk (and blog-lol) forever about this but I think it's simply said, "Friend, stop standing there!!! Jump out of that ant bed and drop some death on that sinful spot!!" Get into The Word of God and let the healing blood of Jesus rescue You and grant you peace that surpasses your understanding and comfort beyond compare!

Father God, forgive us when we turn to other people or things before turning to You, the True Healer and Comforter, our Great Physician of our body, heart, mind, spirit and soul. Thank You for those You have given to us as Your hands and feet of healing and health, bless their ministries to us in this dark and sick world. May You be the source of glory through them. But Father, remind us to run to You first. May we put to death the "ants" in Your Name, in Your Power alone. Hear our cries for mercy as we stand bitten fiercely and please rescue us quickly! Heal our hurts God. Lead us into Your Refuge and place Your ointment of grace on the wounds left on us. Heal our anger, bitterness, fear, doubt, tongues, illness, addictions, impurities. "Create in me (us) a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me (us)." There is none like You and Your blood surely is our Covering Ointment and Victory!! In Your Holy and Gracious Name, we come. Amen!

"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. " Colossians 3:1-17  

Where's the discretion & respect?!?

Discretion: the quality of having or showing discernment or good judgment

Respect: an act of giving particular attention; a high or special regard

As much as I want World Peace, I wonder if there would be more peace if we had more discretion and respect. In this "It's-all-about-me" "have-it-your-way...NOW!!" culture we live in, I think we are quickly loosing peace because we are loosing discretion and respect.
For most of us, these aren't intentional disregards. But I am afraid for some, they just don't care, or know. To some extent, we all miss the mark on occasion. There are days I am completely in a hurry and I am not paying attention to the wake I leave behind me. Sometimes I am just so stressed out, I can't get past my own agenda or attitude.
I grew up under the authority of a "Military Dad" and the "Everyone's Best Friend Mom." My parents were both very respectful of others and this was at the core of our training up. (No, that doesn't mean my sister or I were perfect, but we were taught and held accountable when we didn't display these. Remember the ol' Soap in the Mouth?!? Blech!! ) And now that I am a parent, I am focused on not only my behaviors (ultimately my heart for the Lord's witness) and my example but the training up of my own 4 children to be respectful to others and using discretion in what they share with others and how they share it. Ultimately, having a heart desiring to honor God.

"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:18

You always hold the door for others, especially young mothers and the elderly. You always say Please and Thank You. You pay special regard to elders. If someone drops something, you pick it up and give it to them. You never take the last thing in the house without making sure someone else would want it or need it. You drop your trash, you pick it up. You spill it, you clean it. You borrow something, you give it back. You break something, you fix it. You use the last of something, you replace it. You don't say bad words or words that sound the same. You don't talk back in sass. You take off your shoes at the door, not wherever. When you are in public, you don't make out, PDA is private. You don't let others see more of your skin than clothes and you definitely don't let people see your bra or underware! Bras were for support, not accessories. Underware was for under-ware, not over-ware. (Wedgies were a cosequence if they were spotted on boys!) And bathing suits were made for covering not revealing. You speak quietly in public so others don't hear your business. No one wants to hear all about the local gossip or about your issues when they are paying for  peace and pampering!! Movies are a place to be quiet, as are libraries, spas, nail salons, steam rooms, and certain restaurants. And by the way, you do not answer the phone/text/email (cell or land) or read the paper while sharing a meal with someone unless it's urgent and/or an emergency-not an update. Belching and Tooting were things of great embarrassments if heard or seen, not badges of honor. Guests are always served first and you wait for the "chef" to sit down before saying grace and eating. Taking care of the house was a family job, not Mom's job. Computers were for education and keeping intouch, not for selfish sin. Friends are precious, not disposable. Dating is for purpose and not experimentation. The Bible is for life and not decoration. God is a Holy Name not an angry blurt. The news was balanced, helpful and fair. Having your own car as a teen was a great privilege, not expectation. Car radios were for your own personal enjoyment, not a public service announcement. The Great Outdoors was to be kept, not trashed. We used to cut the plastic soda rings. When someone asks you to hand them something, you handed it, not threw it at them. Kisses were for your significant other, not roll call. Chips should be eaten not carried. Gentlemen were gentle men.

It all begins in the heart. God, gives us Yours so that Your glory may be revealed!! Amen.

"The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." Luke 6:45

 

"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul," Deuteronomy 10:12

 

"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing." 1 Peter 3:8-9   

Saying YES!!!!

There comes a time when you just have to make a Declaration. A Commitment. Saying "Yes" is what takes wishing and hoping to being and doing. Saying "Yes" is what causes a Girlfriend to be a Wife. Saying "Yes" makes a lost person saved. Changing jobs, helping others, making any change, begins with a point of declaration to accept the change. A Commitment starts with a declaration. Commitments to walk the dog, take out the trash, run an errand, volunteering, can be seemingly small and yet, if they are not made, they are not done. Commitments can be huge life altering decisions- embracing a new career, changing relationships, family planning. At some point, you have said, "Yes."
I recently had someone ask me how I finally overcame my fear and anxiety. I wish I could have given a Hollywood scripted story of how I prayed that one prayer or attended a church service that changed me, or that I had a dream I was healed and I woke up to that reality. My counselor and my mentor told me it would be a process and boy were they right! It certainly was a process.
Day by day, I learned, studied, prayed, received counsel, processed, memorized, struggled within, hoped and wished upon The Word of God. I liken the process to loosing weight...you don't notice the first pound lost or the second. It's not until the third and fourth pounds that you notice the loose pants. Before you know it, one day you step on the scale and you have lost 6lbs. People around you begin to take notice and you can feel it. You knew it, but you didn't feel the 6lbs drop. And yet, there is a day of realization of a new truth! You have lost the weight! Awesome!!!
I do believe God can bring a sudden healing, be it emotional, physical or spiritual. I have experienced those as well. God is our Healer and our Rescue. But God's ways are not man's way. His way is not found in The Handbook of Quick Fixes, which is what we all wish for. So, my friend asked me, how did I know I had been healed, that my bondage to fear was gone. I knew I was stronger. I had less moments of panic and despair and more moments of hope. Truth, courage, clarity, comfort began to fill me, leaving less and less room for anxiousness, fear or worry, defeat or despair. With every prayer, every study, every scripture memorized, I fought for the next breath of peace. My only hope was the Prince of Peace, The Living Water and my daily Bread. All I could do was focus on the basics of being alive. Weeks and Months passed and as I dropped each "weight" I was healthier!There came a moment when I had to declare, "I am free!!" I knew God had lifted "one pound" at a time off of me and I was ready to commit to loosing the rest and keeping the "weight" off. It was time to celebrate victory!
April 4, 2009 was such a day for me! Everything that I had gone through and learned about myself and my God, was ready to be put into practice. It was time to stand firm! I felt free and knew how to be free, and I just needed to commit to being free! Now, that prayer of declaration was a defining moment of change. It is like the moment the Groom slips on the ring of his Bride's finger. That was it. They declared it official as they turned around facing their family and friends and sealed it all up with a kiss! From that moment on, they would walk and live as husband and wife. That sunny April day, which happened to be my Birthday, I made that commitment. I chose that day whom I would serve. I chose to trust The Lord my God for my protection, provision and my peace. Feasting on The Word every day, and He strengthened me. It began to consume and direct my heart, mind and soul! My spirit has been set free from that bondage of fear!! AMEN!!!
Now, in that moment, I did feel the weight lifted off my heart! It was such a freeing moment. I wonder if Peter had that same feeling when he stuck his toes in the water and found a foundation upon which he could stand! Hope and Anticipation filled my once hopeless and defeated body, mind and spirit. That was Day One of a life set free from the bondage of fear and anxiety! My counselor and mentors were right, it was a process and I needed to keeping moving forward, hoping, trusting and faithfully focused on Christ alone! Besides, our lives are not even about us. Yes we are a Light and Ambassador of Christ, but we are living for God, loving on behalf of God!! Our very being is about and because of God!!! I was not created for me....but God!
Sure, there have been moments of anxiousness and times when fear has come at me, but I am remaining faithful to the commitment I made back on that Beautiful April day, to place all my trust and hope and strength in The Lord God Almighty who rescues, remembers, provides and protects!

What process do YOU need to begin healing of? What do YOU need to declare today?! Is there something you need to choose to get victory over? What do you believe has more "weight" in you- fear or faith? Doubts or The Defender? Bondages or Beauty? What in YOUR life do you need to commit YES to overcoming in Jesus' Name?

God, YOU are my VICTORY!! Phil 4:13

God, I WILL serve You!! Joshua 24:15b

God, I will TRUST You!! Romans 8:31-39

Where are you? Shore, Boat or Water?

"Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." And Peter answered Him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me! Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."  Matthew 14:22-33

It's a very familiar Bible testimony. Many sermons have been preached from this passage. While there are numerous applications and lessons to be learned, God brought this back to mind as I visited with a friend who was struggling with  anxiety: her strength and courage, and the lack of it. Many of us struggle with anxiety and it can be paralyzing. Fear can nearly suffocate us. This was me for many years, until God's healing power suffocated my fear. It drowned it out and it was no more! AMEN!!!
As I was listening to my friend, I was trying to understand where she was in her walk of faith. Where was she in her fear? How do I encourage her to the next step? God brought this passage to my mind and He showed me the steps between courage, trust and fear.
Here are the different places you can be:
1. Those standing on the shore looking at the boat, wanting to get on it. Hope
2. Those on the boat. Faith
3. Those who step out of the boat. Trust
4. Those who continue to walk after the fall. Boldness.
Disclaimer: I am not a therapist or trained professional!!! I can only share from my personal experience and those shared with me. Just sayin'
Now we can continue (lol)...as I stand on this side of healing from the bondage of fear and anxiety, I can see the different places I have been. I have to be careful to not take steps backwards. I can clearly see that I am on the shore or maybe even in the boat in certain things while there are things in my life that are all about persevering boldness. Many people stand there on the shore wishing and hoping and wanting to get on the boat yet they are too afraid. Fear keeps their feet dry. What a victory when you step out in faith and finally get in the boat! And probably the hardest part is trusting the call to get out of the boat and walk! It takes guts, a Holy Courageous Confidence, to walk, to step out there and trust that Jesus really is there. Do you believe it? Do you trust Him? Then, some of us have trusted and made that declaration to walk out to Him! We have an eternal hope that is placed in Saving Grace, we have faith assured through walking with Him and we trust the Promises of a faithful God and we are bold enough to keep on walking even after we trip and fall, We hold onto His helping hands and boldly take another step, and another, and another.

Where are you? What is your next move? If you know a friend who feels "stuck," Can you see where they are and challenge them to hope, believe, trust or grow in Holy Courageous Confidence? We are each somewhere! May we join together as we encourage each other and intercede for one another on our walk towards Jesus!!! There is nothing better than getting your feet wet!!!! Take the time to go back to the shore and help others get on the boat and into the Water!!!

 

 

Thank You Lord Jesus for being faithful when I am weak. Thank You for Your saving Grace that helps me get in the boat and walk on water with You! You are an amazing God! All glory, honor and praise belong to You! Thank You Father God for those You have placed in my life as Captains of the boats, Lifeguards on the shores, who help me, guide me, teach me, instruct me, mentor me and show me how I can do all things through You! Bless them for their servants hearts and may their passions be flamed in You and caught by many more to be set as a city on a hill, shining a beacon light for You!! Amen.