Good morning ladies. On Wednesday, March 28th we will wrap up our book study, What Women Fear. I trust it has been a source of growth and encouragement for you. I was hit hard by a few things and found much peace and comfort in others. I love Angie’s style of writing and I can feel her raw emotions in her writing. I made contact with her prior to the beginning of this session, she is a wonderful woman of God and has been praying for our group during these past weeks.
This book has been a challenge to us as the topics each week seemed to be on something that some of us were going through at that moment in our lives. You have been an amazing group and it has been my privilege to lead you. I appreciate your faithfulness and I will always cherish the time we spent together.
Angie has prompted me to look into my past and see why I respond as I do to things today. We are all faced with fears many days in our lives. It is not the fear that tears us up, it is how we face and handle it that does. Several of you are walking though pretty tough days right now. I am sensitive to your plight and I pray for you. Many are facing decisions and choices that would leave each one of weak in the knees. Praise God, when we are weak, He is strong. His Word promises us that He will never leave or forsake us.
Believe me ladies, each one of you is stronger than you think. How else could one endure the grief of the loss of a spouse or other close family member? Or the sad news that your child is living with a life threatening illness or the fact that your husband has chosen to break his vow to you and God and you must find the strength to go on as a single mother. I realize this is a very specific blog and I am not insensitive to your pain today but I need you to know how very proud of each one of you and that I am in awe of your strength. Those of you who are facing illnesses and those who have walked through your journey, you are incredible to me. When we think we are about to give up, we need only to look to our Father and tell Him, I am weak today, please be strong in me. Don’t stop to focus on what causes you to be anxious and the fear raging in you, rather praise the LORD and invite Him in to shield and cover you. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7. Ladies, we must allow God to guard our hearts and minds; it is a playground for the enemy.
If you are facing a tough battle, as some are, try to focus on the time beyond the event that has you anxious. Look forward to the strength that God will give you and the reward of making it to the other side. It may not be, and probably won’t be, easy to arrive at the other side, but we can make it when we lift each other up in prayer and go to battle on our knees for ourselves and others. Continue to lift each other up, share your burdens, be as transparent as you can be and know I love each one of you with an everlasting love. To quote Michael W. Smith, “Friends are friends forever, if the LORD is the LORD of them.”
Peace with you until we meet again on Wednesday.
I can't. God can.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your post, Marilyn. Please pray for Hillary as she and Chris go back to Arkansas today. She expressed some fear about possible confrontation with his parents and even fear for her safety. We have prayed and shared scriptures about fear and trusting God to take care of her. Fear is new territory for her because she has always been so confident and fearless, really, as she faces life. I believe this is an area that Satan is attacking her because she has not really been a fearful person. It is one thing to overcome fear for myself through the Lord's power, but it is another to watch my precious child have to learn and grow in this area on her own. Praying and trusting God's word is the best I can offer her. Thank you friends for your support and prayers.
ReplyDeleteI'll be praying for Hillary and Chris. Thank you for sharing your heart, Ann.
ReplyDeleteAnn, Thank you for sharing your heart and passion for your child. You are right, it is one thing for me to struggle with fear or any other issue for that matter, but quite another for me to witness my children go through struggles. I pray that Hillary will soon be an experience great release from her Father as she travels this path of growing. May you know the peace of God as you pray for your daughter. Thank you for your faithfulness and the precious example you set before her and everyone else your life touches. Marilyn
ReplyDeleteThank you for such encouraging words, Marilyn. You and your family have faced a lot of challenges, too, and have been a testimony of living by faith in the fear of trials.
ReplyDeleteAnn, from every mother's heart is a desire to protect our children. It is difficult to watch them face their own fears and struggles; it is easier when they are little and we seem to have more control, but letting them spread their own wings in their walk with God is sort of a fear within itself. I have prayed and will continue to pray for all of you. Love and hugs.
Friends,
ReplyDeleteI won't be at class on Wednesday. My friend Donna's Dad passed away and the visitation is Wednesday night. Pray for me that I might be able to plan some seeds of salvation while I am there.