Friday, October 24, 2008
Fear, Anxiety, and Other Weapons Formed Against Us That Don't Have to Prosper
12:11 AM | 
Posted by
MB Sponski
It's election time in a very polarized nation....world for that matter. There is a lot at stake this year. People, positions, propositions that will dictate things for months, years, generations? to come. I keep hearing reports from friends throughout the nations of the effects of changing economies, of political unrest, of living in and amoung people who will and are making the ultimate sacrifice for following Jesus.
Here we face broken economies, job layoffs, inconveniences, and more I am sure, but truly, a broken economy in the U.S. is plush and secure compared to the devastation of broken world economies that reach deep into the developing nations where poverty already threatens life on a daily basis. Their money isn't caught up in the stock market; it is parsed out, stretched as thin as it can go to buy the simple things like food for their families...We hear of bombings and attacks in the Middle East....and persecution of Christians in India, Sudan, Iran, and others. These are things we don't want to or like to talk or think about...things that make me sad and sometimes, even, afraid. Then I think about traveling into dark places...and I think of stepping into new and unfamiliar places. I think about myself,my husband, my children; I think of friends living in these dark places....and nationals whose lives were birthed in these nations. And I THEN I remember the power, glory, victory, authority, tender loving kindness, and grace that He longs to pour out on His people...and not just His people, but all the people in all the nations don't yet know that it is Jesus they themselves are crying out for.And in tandem He cries out for them to be washed in His love, to know Him, and to encounter Him and to be encountered by Him. Our God is not slight and He is not needy. He is stategic, and loving, and good. And He shines in dark places and in dark seasons of time.
Here we face broken economies, job layoffs, inconveniences, and more I am sure, but truly, a broken economy in the U.S. is plush and secure compared to the devastation of broken world economies that reach deep into the developing nations where poverty already threatens life on a daily basis. Their money isn't caught up in the stock market; it is parsed out, stretched as thin as it can go to buy the simple things like food for their families...We hear of bombings and attacks in the Middle East....and persecution of Christians in India, Sudan, Iran, and others. These are things we don't want to or like to talk or think about...things that make me sad and sometimes, even, afraid. Then I think about traveling into dark places...and I think of stepping into new and unfamiliar places. I think about myself,my husband, my children; I think of friends living in these dark places....and nationals whose lives were birthed in these nations. And I THEN I remember the power, glory, victory, authority, tender loving kindness, and grace that He longs to pour out on His people...and not just His people, but all the people in all the nations don't yet know that it is Jesus they themselves are crying out for.And in tandem He cries out for them to be washed in His love, to know Him, and to encounter Him and to be encountered by Him. Our God is not slight and He is not needy. He is stategic, and loving, and good. And He shines in dark places and in dark seasons of time.
Today Josh and I have been reflecting on the life of my mother-in-law, Alma. She was sooooo in love with Jesus. She never met a stranger. She loved everyone like a mother. She was a woman of prayer, filled with faith, and love, and so much hope. She LOVED life. We were shocked and sick and angry and sad when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. We believed God could heal her. She believed, as well. This woman lived a surrendered life. Every breath until her last belonged to Him. She was tired and beaten down before she died, but she was NOT afraid. Things were getting darker for her there toward the end of her battle with colon cancer last summer (2007), but we watched His light get brighter in her, through her, for her. She had peace...true peace. I was with her during the weeks and months before she died. I went to her doctor's appointments with her. Never once did she faulter in her trust in God's plan for her life. She gave Him glory and Honor and permision to have His complete way with her. And in this dark season we saw His hand and His light and His love over and over again.
She was brave and courageous and she inspired me like no one ever has as she graduated to heaven. She showed me that we don't have to be afraid of the dark, because His Light resonates in us, through us, around us. His light penetrates the darkness around us.
She was brave and courageous and she inspired me like no one ever has as she graduated to heaven. She showed me that we don't have to be afraid of the dark, because His Light resonates in us, through us, around us. His light penetrates the darkness around us.
Throughout history seasons ebb and flow. Certainly there are times of Jubilee; times of plenty. And there are times of grave darkness. We are at a cross roads in our history. Lines are being drawn. It is a somber time; a time to think; a time to strategize; a time to rise up with courage and strength, joy, gratitude, and GREAT HOPE! ...a time rise up in love, praise, adoration, and trust in our Bridegroom, our King. Because as darkness covers the earth...even for a season, LIGHT, HIS Light radiates
even brighter. His grace, strength, unfailing love ABOUND. He has hidden treasures for us in dark places...We must look for these treasures and we must fix our eyes on this One who transcends darkness, dark places, dark seasons.The enemy...he's come to Kill, Steal, and Destroy....and I have let him have a hay day with my mind. I have let my mind worry, fear, feel anxious. Nothing go
od comes from these....you end up feeling sad, frettful, and hopeless, fearful. But today I choose to fix my eyes on Jesus and to trust His perspective and vantage point and the words He speaks to my heart...in honor of the One I love and in honor of Alma, who has inspired me to ALWAYS trust Him, ALWAYS see the treasure He's hidden for me....to Love Big and to Stand Strong strengthen by His presence and words....even when I can't feel Him or hear Him very well. So then, today, reflecting on Alma, I remember that the darker things get, the brighter His presence appears as I surrender
my fear, anxiety, and all those other weapons formed against me that I have come into agreement with. I SURRENDER THESE, JESUS!!! Thank you for your blood that covers me and my family. Thank you that you are MY VICTORIOUS WARRIOR! YOU ARE THE ONE WHO FIGHTS FOR ME! The battle belongs to YOU. Doesn't matter what the economy looks like, or our nation's issues are, or how unsettled the rest of the world may be. I TRUST YOU completely. YOU HOLD MY HEART. And I again SURRENDER to You 
in love and adoration and trust.
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1 comments:
MaryBeth, another very excellent post. You are the cheerleader of my heart! :) We do have the light of Jesus inside of our very soul, and we will shine brighter as it gets darker around us! What a blessing!
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