Trusting your Father
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding”(Proverbs 3:5).
For me, this was the key scripture that catapulted me down the road to recovery. When we trust God with our lives and don’t try to figure things out on our own, then fear–no matter what it may be–does not have foothold in our lives.
It all comes down to trust. Can you trust God with your life? With your death? With your family? When your heart is racing and your mind is filled with fear? Can you not fight those uninvited thoughts? Can you stand still and see the salvation of the Lord?
My first victory over panic attacks came when I was sitting in a recliner holding my son. The panic hit. My mind was racing. Then, I thought, “Lord, I don’t care what happens. I will trust you. If I die, then I die. Whatever happens, I will trust you.”
Do you know what happened? The fear came and went. It didn’t stay around long enough to do anything. No panic attack. No overwhelming fear. It just came to pass.
That was my first victory. Since then, I’ve been able to rest during an attack. Occasionally, an attack will get the best of me. But, I press into God and spend time alone with him. I pray and worship until I can hear that still, small voice encourage me, “Don’t fear, my child. You can trust me.”
I pray that each one of you will experience the overcoming power of trusting our Father. Our salvation was paid for with a very high price–the death of God’s Son. Do you think God would pay such a high price for our lives and not watch over us?
This weekend, let me encourage you to do two things: First, don’t lean on your own understanding–don’t try to figure it all out. Secondly, trust God. Trust your Father in heaven. When the fear hits, pray, “Father, I will trust you no matter what happens. With all that I am, I will trust you.” Then, just rest in his arms of love, and he will carry you. He will not let you fall.
Prayer: Father, I trust you. I put all of my trust in you, for you are my King, my Protector, my Lord. My hope is in you.
Listening to the Voice of God
This week, I want to share what I believe is one of the most important commands that God requires of us. Before we can love him, obey him, serve him, receive him, or worship him, we must first hear him.
In Mark 12:28-29, one of the scribes came to Jesus and asked, “Which is the first commandment of all?” Jesus answered him by quoting a scripture. He said, “The first of all the commandments is this: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one.” Jesus goes on to explain that we should love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind. But, before we can do that, we must hear. How do we know how to love God with all of our heart, soul and mind if we can’t hear him?
Listening, according to Jesus, was very important. Throughout scripture, Jesus would say, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15). Why? Because it is through hearing that we receive faith. It is the words of God spoken to our heart that kindles our faith, for “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
Picture the scene: Jesus and three of his disciples–Peter, James and John–went up to a mountain. There, Jesus was transfigured right before their eyes. As they watched, Jesus’ appearance changed from an earthly body with dirty clothes to a heavenly body with a brilliant, white robe. Moses and Elijah were there. Heaven touched earth. And when it did, God the Father’s voice thundered with this simple command: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him” (Mark 9:7).
Before we can do anything, we must listen to God. We must hear him. Sadly, most cultures shun the thought of “hearing God.” Sure, you can talk to God–that’s called praying. But if God talks to you, then most people think you are strange or spooky. Why is that? Why can we talk to God, but him not talk to us? I think the devil knows that so much of our strength and confidence and peace come through hearing God. So, if this enemy of God wants to thwart those good things from the Father, he only needs to convince us that God doesn’t speak or that we can’t hear him.
On the contrary, God does speak. And, we can hear him. Jesus explains very clearly: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). We can hear his voice, not his audible voice, but his still, small voice that speaks to our spirit. Through convictions, thoughts, circumstances, dreams, situations, God guides and directs our lives. Why? Because he longs for a relationship with us.
“So how does this relate to fear and anxiety?” you may ask. For anyone battling anxious thoughts or crippling fear, listening to God can bring peace. Why? Psalms 85:8 explains, “I listen carefully to what God the LORD is saying, for he speaks peace to his people, his faithful ones.”
You see, God is constantly speaking peace over your life. If you can just listen for a moment and hear your Father’s heart speak to your heart, you would hear wonderful, peaceful, restful words of love that can transform you from a fearful human being to a confident, peaceful child of God. That’s what listening can do.
All relationships are birthed in communication–husbands and wives, parents and children, friend to friend. God created us for relationship. This week, I encourage you simply to do one thing–listen. Take time to listen to the peaceful words God wants to speak over you.
Awhile back, I setup a new blog to help people learn how to hear God more clearly called My Journey with God.
Prayer: Father, help me hear your voice. Help me to turn off the things of this world, and tune in my spiritual ears.
The Peace of God – Finding freedom from fear and panic
From reading the morning newspaper to watching the evening news, we are daily surrounded by fearful things. School shootings. Murder. Disease. Terrorism. How can anyone find peace in such a fearful world?
Let me share some verses from the Bible that have truly opened my eyes to the peace of God: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Philippians 4:6).
What weighs you down? What thoughts consume your mind? How do you respond to them? The command is clear–don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need. Are you in need of something? Tell your Father. He cares for you and he desires to help you. Don’t tell him what you want. Tell him what you need.
And, to help you gain a perspective on what you need, take some time to thank him for all he has done. Surely God has done some good things in your life. A heart of thankfulness will open the door to prayer.
Now, if you do those things–don’t worry, pray, tell God what you need and thank him–then God promises you his peace. Read the very next verse: “If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (verse 7).
And, it’s not a peace that the world can offer you–it’s a peace that is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. It’s a peace that passes all understanding. There is no way to define or explain this kind of peace. It’s a divine peace, a supernatural peace, a heavenly peace.
And, here’s what makes God’s peace so special–it will guard your heart and mind as you live in Christ Jesus. Does your heart and mind need guarding? Live in Christ Jesus, and it will be guarded.
Prayer: Dear Father, I live in a fearful world. All around the storms of fear consume my thoughts and my mind. So many things weigh me down. Help me to give those burdens to you. Help me not be anxious about anything, but pray about everything. I will tell you what I need, and thank you for all you have done for me. Help me to live in Christ Jesus. I surrender my life to you, and to you alone. Let your heavenly peace cover me that I may rest in you. I ask these things in your Son’s precious name. Amen.
Panic attacks – Punishment or Discipline
I’ve talked with thousands of people over the years regarding anxiety, panic attacks and fear. One of the most common things people say to me is this: “Surely, God is punishing me.” Most people see this crippling fear and anxiety as God’s punishment.
For years, I was convinced that these episodes of fear were God’s way of punishing me. After all, I deserved it. I was living an unholy life, walking in my own ways, doing my own thing. Surely, this was God’s punishment.
Over the years, I began learning about the punishment of God. You see, punishment has to do with a penalty. Once a violation has been made, there’s a penalty for that violation. When you are punished, you’re receiving the penalty for your violation.
“But Russell, I’ve done a lot of bad things in my life. I probably deserve to be punished.” Yes, I know. I deserve punishment as well. The Bible says that we are all sinners, and that all of us have turned away from God (Romans 3:23). So yes, we all deserve punishment.
But listen carefully to the next two verses in Romans 3, “Yet now God in his gracious kindness declares us not guilty. He has done this through Christ Jesus, who has freed us by taking away our sins. For God sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to satisfy God’s anger against us. We are made right with God when we believe that Jesus shed his blood, sacrificing his life for us” (verses 24-25a).
If you’ve committed your life to Jesus Christ, then you are free from the punishment of sin. You are free from the penalty of your wrongdoing. God has declared you “Not Guilty”. That’s God’s promise to you, and what a wonderful promise!
I believe most people’s fears are based on an incorrect understanding of punishment. Here’s what the Bible says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18). Let me rephrase that in my own words: “God loves you so much that he has released you from the punishment of your sins through Jesus Christ. There is no need to fear God’s punishment for those who are in Christ.”
“But Russell,” you may respond, “I received Jesus into my heart. Yet, I still fear.”
I know. It’s frustrating. When I became a Christian, and I still experienced episodes of fear. But here’s what I learned from the Bible about these hard times: “Endure hardship as discipline. God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness” (Hebrews 7a, 10b). Today, years later, after being trained by this discipline, I am now free from these crippling panic attacks.
Discipline is not the same as punishment. Discipline has a good, redemptive purpose. Yes, it’s painful. Yes, it hurts. Yes, I wanted it to stop. But, the purpose of discipline is to teach us. Hebrews 12:11 confirms this: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
Are you being trained by your hardships? Are you learning anything from these difficult circumstances? Or, have you chosen to step back into your comfortable world of victim-ness, where it’s easier to blame others rather than do something yourself?
Take time to carefully listen to his discipline of the Lord, because God promises a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who are trained by it. Step out courageously into God’s training. Seek the Lord and spend time with him. Learn from your pain. Dig deep into the truths of the Bible and carefully obey the instructions of the Lord. Remember, God disciplines those he loves.
Prayer: Father, first and foremost, I declare that I’m a sinner who deserves punishment. I’ve done many wrong things in my life. I turn from those things now. I choose to believe in Jesus Christ, who has taking upon himself my punishment. I receive Christ as my Lord. Father, help me through this time of discipline. I want to be trained quickly. Strengthen me and help me that I may walk in this harvest of peace and righteousness. I ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
listening for peace
As I was reading through the Psalms, I came across an encouraging verse. The author writes: “I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his people, his faithful ones” (Psalm 85:8a).
This is an amazing truth. If we listen carefully to what God is saying to us, we would hear words of peace. God, right this very moment, is speaking peace over you. All you have to do is listen.
But how do we listen? Obviously, we don’t “listen” with our natural ears–we listen with our spiritual ears. “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24).
It’s hard sometimes to tune in our spiritual ears so that we can hear God. Our minds are so distracted by the things of this world. The onslaught of thoughts and decisions keep our minds focused on the things of this world, not on God.
I think that’s why God commands us to “be still and know that he is God” (Psalm 46:10). When’s the last time you were just still; so still, that no intrusive thought could make its way into your mind? It’s hard to be still in this hectic, fast-paced world. But, it is so important.
“Well Russell,” you might respond, “I can’t control these thoughts in my mind.” Yes, I know that feeling all too well. The harder you try to push away those thoughts, the stronger they come crashing in.
Romans 8:6 says this: “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” If your mind is focused on the things of this world, then it will lead to fear and anxiety. But, if your mind is controlled by the Spirit, the Holy Spirit of God, then it will lead to life and peace.
Amazingly, when I surrender my mind and my thoughts to God, I am filled with peace. It’s as if I can “hear” God speaking peace over me. With my spirit, I listen carefully to what my Father is saying. His words of peace soothe my anxious soul.
Prayer: Father, you say in Romans 8:6 that a mind controlled by the spirit is life and peace. Lord, I surrender my mind to your Holy Spirit right now. Speak words of life and peace to my spiritual ears. I will listen carefully.
can you trust me?
On a business trip one year, I traveled to Japan for work. I remember sitting there in my hotel room on the 37th floor in downtown Tokyo. As I peered out the huge window gazing upon the sea of buildings and lights, I could see the hints of sunrise off in the distance.
A thought came to my mind as I sat there: Tokyo is famous for earthquakes. If one were to happen right now, this building could easily crumble to the ground, and I could die.
So, I prayed: “Lord, this is kind of scary.”
His words rang through my spirit, “Can you trust me?”
“Yes Lord, I trust you. I trust you with my life and with my death. I trust you with all that I am and with all that I have.” (John 14:1).
The fear melted away.
Just two days before that hotel experience, I had boarded a plane from Dallas to Tokyo. Thirteen hours in a cramped cabin flying 6 miles above the ground at almost 10 times the speed I drive my car could be terrifying. But again I prayed, “Lord, I trust you with all my heart” (Proverbs 3:5).
Away from my family, more fearful thoughts about their safety filled my mind. Again, a prayer, “Lord, I entrust my family to your care. You are more than able to guard them and keep them safe” (2 Timothy 1:12).
Learning to trust God has been the cornerstone to freedom from panic. Anxiety and fear can easily consume my mind when those fearful thoughts are not dealt with. The cycle of “what if’s” can spin wildly out of control. It’s a cycle most of you know very well.
“Well Russell, you have such strong faith. It’s easy for you to trust God.” Constantly, people write to me with these kinds of comments. But, it’s not as easy as they claim. I still battle fearful thoughts. The cycle of “what if’s” still sneaks its way into my mind. Strong faith does not equal perfect peace. Perfect peace comes from total trust.
One aspect of faith is how you respond to the crumbling world around you, especially when you can’t understand all the reasons why. Can you trust God even when nothing makes sense? Can you trust him with your life? With your death? Can you trust him even when you don’t understand?
When those fearful thoughts come crashing in, I’ve learned to cry out in prayer: “Lord, I don’t really understand why this is happening, but I will trust you. I want to run and scream and panic! But, I will stand still and not give in to the fear. I will trust you.”
I encourage you this week with Proverbs 3:5, my life scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.” Trusting God is the foundation of faith. When you can place all of your trust in your Father, especially when nothing makes sense, then his “peace that passes all understanding will fill your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
Prayer: Lord, I want to trust you more. Teach me to trust in the midst of fear. Teach me to rest in the midst of the storms.
the sabbath principle
Rest is so important for anyone dealing with anxiety and stress. Our bodies were not created for intense, non-stop activity. Down time is a physical and mental requirement if we are to experience any peace in our life.
Only within the last few decades has mankind been able to travel around the world with such ease and speed. We live in an age of technology that allows us to zip around the world in a matter of hours and minutes. Supersonic jets, e-mail, Federal Express and Internet all provide avenues by which we run with such great intensity.
That’s why I’ve started implementing what I call the “sabbath principle”. I’m not talking about the ceremonial Sabbath as required by Jewish Law. No, what I’m referring to is simply an appointed time of rest–a sabbath time of rest. Whether or not you observe the Biblical Sabbath is completely between you and God.
As for the “sabbath principle”, I’m trying each day to set aside appointed times of rest. Between breakfast and lunch, a 15-minute sabbath. Between lunch and dinner, another 15-minute sabbath. Then, when I get home from a busy day at work, another sabbath.
After working all week and getting all my personal chores done on Saturday, I take a daily sabbath. Sunday is our family day with no chores, no responsibilities, no distractions. We just eat and sleep and occasionally go out and do family things. It is day of rest.
I still get overwhelmed with things at work and miss my appointed times of rest, only the face the consequences of anxiety and stress later. But, I’m learning more and more just how important these sabbaths are.
We are adaptive creatures. God created us that way. When exposed to a hot or cold environment, we adapt. When walking outside into the bright sunlight, our eyes adapt. But, adaptability also has a down side. When faced with a deadline or tense situation, we wind ourselves up pumping more adrenaline in your bodies. This speeds up our thinking, making us more productive and efficient. We meet the demand. But in most cases, we never take time to wind down and recover. Rather, we adapt to this level of intensity. Then, when faced with another project, another deadline, another tense situation, we wind ourselves up again pushing our body and mind to the brink of overload.
We must take time to slow down and rest. We must give our minds and bodies the needed time to recover. If not, we will burn out and overheat just like an engine pushed to its limits. This week, I encourage you to implement the sabbath principle into your life. Set aside some time to rest. Schedule it if you have to. Take time to be still before the Lord and enjoy the peace he has waiting for you.
“May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest…”коли под наем (Ruth 1:9a).
Prayer: Father, help me slow down. Help me rest in you, for you are my life. Give me the wisdom to know when I am pushing myself too hard. I choose this week to rest in you.
sleds and slopes
A few years ago, my family and I had the wonderful opportunity of spending Christmas in the Swiss Alps. What a blessing it was for us to have this special holiday vacation! Not to mention, the snow was a welcome sight for this Texas family.
In fact, the snow provided for most of our entertainment and recreation. Although we did not do any skiing, we did have lots of snowball fights, made lots of snow angels and, best of all, did lots of sledding.
The trail from Murren to Gimmelwald wasn’t too steep, but the sharp turns–lined with bed cushions–made for an exciting run. The half-hour ride was quickly followed by a gondola ride back to Murren for another run.
Being new to sledding, our son, Caleb, was quite cautious when we first climbed aboard the tiny sled. “Daddy?” Caleb asked curiously, “Will we go fast?” As I wrapped my arms around him tightly, I responded, “I hope so!”
As we started down the hill with nothing more than our feet to steer, Caleb grabbed tightly to my arm. I could sense some fear in his grip. I pulled him closer to me, and away we went.
Slipping, sliding, slushing. A close one here, a near miss there. Yes,
even an occasional wipe out. Soon, Caleb was filled with sheer excitement. “Again Daddy! Again!” The fear was gone. Only excitement and expectation filled his mind.
When it comes to crippling fear and anxiety, we can either avoid the sleds and slopes of life, or we can grab onto our Father and enjoy the ride. There is one thing that turned my son’s fear into joy–trust. He trusted me. He held on for dear life, but he knew I would not let him get hurt. His trust in me gave him the opportunity to enjoy the ride instead of fear it.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding” (Proverb 3:5).
This is my life scripture. With it, I grab hold of my Father’s arm and enjoy the ride. Yes, I’ve been down this trail alone many times, and it was terrifying. But, with my Father’s arms wrapped tightly around me, I have learned to trust him through the turns, the near misses and the occasional wipe out. My fear has turned into excitement and expectation.
Prayer: Father, you know the sharp turns, up and downs that lie ahead. Wrap your arms of love around me tightly and hold me close. I trust you to take care of me.
seasons of change
Change can be uncomfortable. In March of 1999; I went through a season of change in my life–a change that many people are experiencing today in this economy. After ten years of service with this company, I was laid off without warning.
I remember that morning so clearly. It started off just like any other Monday morning, but I had no idea what was coming. At 10:00 am, my boss walked up to me and said, “Russ, we have to let you go. You need to be out of here by 5:00 pm.” What started out as a typical Monday morning quickly became a life-changing experience in just a matter of hours.
At first, I was kind of numb. Ten years at one job was a long time. Yet, as my boss walked out of my office that day, I began to weep–not at the job loss; not at an uncertain future; not even at the abrupt ending of my income. No. When I wept, I was weeping over God’s goodness. I had no idea what the next day held, but I knew God was good, and he could be trusted. My life, my future, my family was really in his hands. I was already in God’s hands before that Monday morning, but now the revelation of that truth had come to life.
Months passed with no promising offers. An interview here; an interview there. Nothing came my way. I was riding the roller coaster of emotions. Yet, I knew deep down that God would not fail me. I could trust him.
One morning, I got a call from a local company. We talked for a bit, and then I went in that very day for an interview. By the end of the interview, they had verbally offered me the job. In a matter of hours–just like that day in March–my life had changed.
When I look back over the past four months of unemployment, it was a good time–times of rest; times of seeking God; times of divine provision; times of prayer. And yes, even times of questioning God. I figured if David and Jesus could ask “why” (Psalm 22:1, Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34), then surely it’s okay for me to ask “why”. Yet even in my questions, God proved himself faithful.
I could have battled all the “what if’s” and spent endless hours worrying and stressing over my situation, but I chose not to. I knew God could be trusted. I knew he would provide for us. So, I decided to rest, and let God bring about the right job at the right time.
I want to encourage everyone reading this that God can be trusted. No matter if it’s unemployment, fears, family problems, marital issues, personal struggles or just questioning your faith, God is there for you. Through his Son, Jesus, God is ready to help you through any problem, any situation and any circumstance.
Jesus said, “So I tell you, don’t worry about everyday life–whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn’t life consist of more than food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not. And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:25-34).
Prayer: компютриFather, I want to trust you more. I want to understand your heart, your will, your desires for me. I want to live in your faithfulness, because you are completely and totally faithful. Today, I choose to trust you. I choose to not listen to me circumstances. I will rest in you.
a fragile moment of hope
A Fragile Moment of Hope
Today’s message comes from a book I picked up at the library during a lunch break one afternoon. I was so moved by this one story. It really created within me a new kind of hope. I pray it will do the same for you.
“A Fragile Moment of Hope” by Josephine Jensen
The sun had not yet risen as I walked alone along the beach. The night’s high tide had left the beach strewn with debris. A seagull, which once had glided in the blue, lay lifeless on the sand. Matted seaweed, once a living part of the deep, was now discarded by the waves. Driftwood, too, once green and growing, lay in silver-gray desolation.
Tears welled in my eyes. Those tragic bits and pieces, broken and still, were reminders of something in my life which had once been vibrant and alive, but now, too, was dead.
I slumped on the sand and closed my eyes. How long I sat there I do not know. Then a child’s shout rang across the beach.
Two children were running down the beach. As I looked up, they stopped. They had found the seagull. For a moment they stood silently around it. Then they dug a grave with a piece of driftwood, buried the bird and placed shells in an elaborate pattern on the mound.
With a whoop, they then dashed to the seaweed. Draping it around their waists, they wiggled their hips and, in their imagination, were in Hawaii. A long tendril became a jump rope. In each newfound object there was fresh discovery.
Everything they looked at, I had looked at. Yet while I saw only death, they saw wonder and excitement.
I rose and started home. A fragment of Scripture, half forgotten, came to mind: “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before…” (Philippians 3:13).
The rays of the rising sun flooded the hills. The same became a thousand diamonds, and I walked on them. It was the beginning of a new day.
Philippians 3:13 encourages us to forget what is behind and reach forward to what lies ahead. Panic attacks and fear can leave lots of mental and emotional debris in its path, making things seem lifeless and dead, but God encourages us to press on, forgetting those things and reaching for new things in our lives.
Prayer: Lord, help me to cast off all dead baggage that serves no healthy purpose. Help me to not look behind, but forward. Help me to understand that you are the God of hope. Lord, I will trust in you as we move forward from this day forward.