Month: November 2017

But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. Acts 28:5

When I was away getting refreshed and refueled, one day my hubby informed me that it would be a brilliant idea to go for a “little” hike. Remember, I take my strolls in the morning with the dog, so I probably had already walked five miles that day. As the supportive wife that I am, I enthusiastically supported his idea. Ok, fine. I supported his idea.

We drove to our starting point and thoroughly covered ourselves with bug spray before heading out. I was trying to make sure we had everything we needed while the guys became like bobble-heads letting me know they were ready. We had good food, drinks, more bug spray, and a first aid kit. Nope, had to search for the first aid kit. I’m telling you that moms trump boy scouts in preparedness. Oooh, I had to remind them not to forget biodegradable toilet paper too. They’re going with a girl, ok? Did they forget the second thing on the list? Drinks!

We had a destination, and we don’t mess around like turtles getting there. We don’t want to waste our time staring at the road as we trudge along…well maybe I should do that just a tad more. When we get to awesome wildlife, that’s where we want to spend the majority of our time. The ice cream that’s always promised at the end may have had something to do with the pace too.

My youngest loves the Would You Rather game, but my oldest started groaning as soon as it was mentioned because we’ve played it so often. I figured we’d better put a spin on the old favorite before I had a mutiny on my hands. I started asking questions that would require more than one-word answers. We really had to think and get creative with our responses. It was interesting to hear the thoughtful answers and new ideas that were given.

It was my turn to come up with something I’d build for people to visit, and I was really getting into it. I could see it in my mind and was trying to describe the park I came up with in words. I was focused! All of a sudden, my youngest goes into some sort of tribal war dance on me. He’s chanting and dancing with quite a lot of enthusiasm. What was with him? Finally, I made out the word “snake.” Seeing everyone’s reaction, my heart started pounding, my breathing became shallow, and I was searching frantically for the danger that was being posed to my family.

Focusing in on my son, I tried to decipher the snake dance in order figure out where it was located. With his arm out and finger pointed, I used my decoding abilities to find the skinny green snake that was sticking straight out like a stick on the side of the path. As I took gulping breaths from the adrenaline of being so startled by the commotion, I made out the words, “You stepped on it!” I did what? Huh, didn’t realize it and it didn’t even bite me (unlike the mosquitoes), yet I was thinking about what could’ve happened after the fact!

Within a couple of minutes, my thoughts went onto Paul being bit by a snake. I just felt the need to let God know that I appreciated him keeping me safe and reminded him that we’re all believers so there wasn’t any reason for a snake to actually fasten itself to me. We’ll take the lesson and learn from it without him having to go to such extremes. You know what? The next snake that we came across, which was much bigger than the first, slithered out of our path without any excitement. We were able to get a visual instead of being so emotional. Thank you Jesus!

As I was looking back on our exciting, “little”, fifteen-mile hike, I realized a few things. First, I was covered in mosquito bites, which were swelling to the size of baseballs. Lesson one, those nasty things bite through clothing and ignore bug spray when they want to. The after-effects can be worse than going through the attack.

The snake took me a couple weeks to fully understand how significant of a lesson it was. I came to understand that I was so focused on things that were pleasant (God thoughts), that I wasn’t focused on things that could harm me. Hey, I didn’t even know that I’d stepped on a snake until the danger had passed. Plus, it had to be pointed out to me.

The crazy thing was that my heart started racing and I was pretty much gasping for air! Why? The danger was no longer a threat, so I should’ve been past the point of worry. I figured out that it was because my eyes were turned away from the good thoughts (God) and became stuck on what already took place. It wasn’t even in my path any more!

I recognize now that I went right through the dangerous part safely not because of what I did, but in spite of what I did. God had me. It wasn’t that I didn’t get bit because of my right actions, I didn’t get bit because I had a supernatural protection surrounding me. What a waste to use up all my emotions on something that was over with!

There are a variety of dangers that lurk everywhere that can cause us to turn in circles, have our heart race, and make us double over in fear. We can be calm and in control while we’re going through the situation, but we can go into shock after the danger has passed, not because of the incident, but because of our thoughts after the incident.

Conversations can be like my snake to many of us. God can give us the words to say during the chat, while we stand confidently, letting his words flow. It’s later that we get upset. What’s different? Timing. We need to be focused on getting through with dignity and tact (let’s just face it that God is the only source of provision in “those types” of conversations), that there’s no time for worry.  It’s when we stop moving forward that we think on what already left our path. When our thoughts go to what could’ve happened (the danger) and what was said, that’s when we get worked up! WHY? It’s over. It is finished.

The second lesson is to always have something that is right to focus on, so we don’t stop moving forward. Those things that have passed, allow to be in the past. We can’t move forward when we’ve stopped to visit the danger we’ve already gone through.

I also see that this will happen in a variety of ways…the outside situations could be different, but the result is always the same. Smooth sailing when keeping our head up and confidence out, panic attack when the danger is over. It’s in our thinking and allowing a situation, a person, or a thought to stop us from moving forward…from keeping to the path and walking straight ahead. It’s not the situation, it’s the focus. It’s like Elijah running away from Jezebel after the miracle took place. He turned fearful and hid after seeing God was with him.

We need to recognize that the devil is out there trying to get us to mess up.  If you think of the snake as the devil, I want you to notice something.  I wasn’t physically harmed.  It didn’t bite me.  I even had to be told that I stepped on it, so pay attention to what you’re allowing people to tell you. It could be a matter of moving forward or getting stuck. It was my thoughts on it afterward that created the stress on my body and got my eyes on something other than God and the future.  It was visiting the situation and not continuing my hike.

I challenge you to be like Paul today. No, don’t get bit by an actual snake, but when your “snake” fastens itself onto you, shake it off! Keep moving without dwelling on the danger. Learning is one thing, but visiting (taking your shoes off, settling in, and staying a while) is another. Stop wasting time in the areas that are already over and move forward. Paul didn’t just shake off that snake onto the ground, he shook it off into the fire where it became no more. Shake it off!

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  Psalm 56:3

I was asked a question in August that I didn’t have an answer immediately ready for.  I hate when that happens!  Sometimes I ask God, “How could I have lost that opportunity to help someone?”  Maybe it wasn’t the right time or maybe there was a bigger plan ahead.  Maybe I didn’t lose the opportunity at all, and I was just to comfort her with the knowledge she wasn’t alone.  More could be said later.

It was a simple question, but if I would’ve tried to give the answer that I really wanted to give, it would’ve turned into a missed opportunity because fear was clouding a sweet, little girl’s mind.  It wouldn’t have had as much of a lasting answer than the letter I felt God nudging me to prepare.

You see, God had this question come back to me several times over the last few months.  He opened my eyes to something that he wanted me to give away to go along with the real answer that I hope helps this young lady in years to come.

The letter and gift I’m giving has allowed me to really look at how I handle the issue of fear.  I learned that there are steps that I take to overcome fear in my life, but I don’t always do them intentionally.  This has allowed me to recognize that and do better going forward.

I really debated about posting this because it’s personal…between me and a young person.  I do believe however, that it can help many kids and adults that are dealing with fear in a simple way.  I just left out the personal information that won’t really matter to you anyhow.

I was also concerned that people would think that I don’t take the damage weather can do seriously.  I’m heartbroken at the devastation I’ve seen from tornadoes, hurricanes, and fires.  This can be a cause of even more fear.  At the same time, I believe some of this advice (along with many other things) can help those whose eyes have seen what certain weather can do.  I encourage generosity in helping rebuild, giving support, and lots of prayers!

So, after changing a few things, let me share:

Recently you asked me a question that I wasn’t sure how to answer. You asked me if I’ve ever been afraid of storms. I told you that I used to be, but I had to think about what made me learn to be brave during them. I told you what other people had told me, but I never really answered your question on how not to be afraid. Actually, what other people told me never really helped me, so I’m guessing it probably didn’t help you either! I want to give you an answer that might get you passed that fear. I want you to be able to laugh and be calm when the storm is still going on!

As I got older, I realized that people call the weather that makes us hear loud booms and see bright lightning: storms, but people also call hard times that we have in life storms too. There isn’t actually thunder and lightning, but these times can be just as scary. As I grew up and experienced many of the weather type storms, my fear lessened because I was still ok after each one. I got more confident that I’d get through them.

I noticed that I was spending a lot of time afraid when the thunder started, but nothing ever happened.  I was getting mad because I was ruining time that I had to feel good! I can’t even remember what I was actually afraid of…the lightning hitting me?  I started realizing that kind of thinking was silly for me because I didn’t want to waste my time and I don’t want you to waste your time either.

Try to count how many storms you’ve gone through already in your life. You’re still ok! I’ve gone through a whole bunch too…I’m still ok! Now think about how much time you’ve spent afraid. All those times probably didn’t help you (like they didn’t help me), but only made you more fearful…ugg. My first piece of advice for you is to be confident. It’s happened before and we’re still safe. We can’t control it, so let’s not make ourselves sick worrying about it!

My cousin was so afraid of storms, that when she was young she would watch the meteorologists on television giving reports about the weather. She decided that learning about what was making her afraid would help her conquer her fears. That was many years ago, and now she’s on television after going to college and becoming a meteorologist! She learned how to take action to be the safest she could be and pass that information on to others.

Learn about how storms are good for the earth. Learn the best ways to be safe when you see lightning outside. My second piece of advice for you is to learn about what you’re afraid of and use that information to stay as safe as possible. You just might find your life’s calling (what you’re meant to do when you get older) like my cousin did!

The most important thing that I’ve learned to do was trust God. That’s easy to say, but not easy to do when you hear the thunder rumbling isn’t it? That’s because we have “crazy” thinking when the storms come! We need to change what we’re focusing on. I’ve learned that the more we’re focused on something, the bigger it becomes. When we start thinking about good things, it shrinks the bad things.

I challenge you to think about things that make you happy. Knowing that God is surrounding me makes me happy and comfortable, so I thank Him that He’s protecting me. I know that if something bad does happen, God is there to get me through it. I start thinking about the family and friends who make my days better. Those go on my list! I say that I’m thankful for things like my vacations I’ve gone on and warm blankets right out of the dryer. I get thankful for areas where I’ve seen success (have you gotten a good score on a hard test?) I’m thankful for hugs…those are yours!

You’re changing your mind to think on good and right thoughts when you start naming things you’re thankful for! My third piece of advice for you is to start naming all the things you can think of that you’re thankful for when you start getting “crazy” thinking. I want to give you a rock that has been sitting in front of me for nearly a year. It’s called a crazy lace agate. I kept the “crazy” rock on my desk so that when I’d see it, it would remind me to focus on gratitude (thankfulness) and not “crazy” thinking. We found it in North Carolina, and it even has the one side polished. Feel how smooth it is! When we’re thankful, we smooth out our feelings and emotions. They aren’t so rough any more!

I heard a lady named Terri Savelle Foy express F.E.A.R. like this:  False Evidence Appearing Real

When we have those thoughts about what’s going to happen, but they don’t, it’s kind of like false evidence appearing real (F.E.A.R) right?

I’m giving you ways that help me get out of fear, and I hope you’ll try some of them and they work for you. The first thing I do is pray though, because I know God is bigger than my fear. I like to repeat something it says in the Bible under Isaiah 41:10. It says, “Fear not! There is nothing to fear, for I am with you.” We’re never alone!  The boys like that one too. My final and most important piece of advice is to say a prayer and repeat verses like in Isaiah. It helps!

You aren’t alone in experiencing fear. Every person does. I still do too…especially with those life storms! Many of the ways that I found to deal with the weather storms helps us deal with the life storms too.

Well, that was it.  I sure hope it helps her as much as it helped me writing it.  I’m posting it believing there’s someone else who needed this too.

 

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed–a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:17

My hubby, Mr. Hunter himself, sent me an email a few weeks back that made my jaw drop. It simply asked what I thought about going away on his week off. Was he talking about the week that it’s just him and the deer? That week when he transforms into a highly focused hunter out to provide food for his family? If I was right, we’re talking about the week that reduces him to grunts from full sentences. That’s the week that he looks forward to all year! Was that the week he was talking about?

When I got the email, I thought someone might be forcing him to write it. There was something wrong with my hubby! I’m telling you that I started to wonder if he was ok. Of course I love to have time away because I always seem to learn and grow when we look at life through different adventures, but I didn’t see how it was possible even if he was serious. First, it was his hunting week! Second, we had stuff scheduled on the calendar. Third, it wasn’t in the budget. I brushed off the moment of insanity from my hubby and told him it wasn’t possible.

Wouldn’t you know that I got a check in my spirit? Was I shutting doors that we were meant to go through? I gently brought it up later on when I could actually see his face. He wasn’t joking at all and told me it was like a tidal wave came over him and we needed to go. Wow! If he felt that strongly, I needed to think about this. Soon after, I received a message that told me to start using faith and not logic. I like logic! Logic is easy for me. I love faith, but I admit that logic will sometimes get in my way of that faith.

I still wasn’t completely on board and even thought he was a bit crazy, so I prayed that God would close doors if we weren’t supposed to go through them. Wouldn’t you know that not only did the doors not close, He might as well have paved the path with gold bricks and lined them with arrows leading to the great big, opened door! First, my hubby was actually excited to get some fishing in and wasn’t worried about the hunting. Second, it was the only week on the calendar surrounded by weeks of completely filled squares that only had one appointment scheduled. Third, my hubby insisted we not worry about the budget for this.

Everything was looking like we actually could do it on our end, but the test would be finding a place to stay. Again, God might as well have taken those arrows and put blinking lights on them. You wouldn’t even believe the favor that was being shown to us. It wasn’t just finding a place that I’m talking about either. I’m talking about having a beautiful place dropped in our lap that by all accounts should’ve been impossible. When we start using faith and not logic, it’s amazing what God will do!

Since the logistics of it all were settled, the packing was next. Books are important to us when we travel. We pretty much always have one that we can learn and grow from. I had that one, but I wanted one that was funny and entertaining this time too. I was hoping it would have us laughing as much as one of Patrick McManus’s articles would. I had high hopes for the book that I found, and after a couple hours in the vehicle, I started talking up this book that I thought would be so much fun for us.

We were all excited to start reading the first story in it. I mean I really had everyone’s attention. It began a little differently than I expected, but I was sure we’d be getting to the really funny part soon. Then, not long into the story I stopped reading and we all sat in stunned silence. Umm, it was about death. My family wanted to know what kind of book I brought for entertainment.

I strongly considered giving up on the book right then and there, and I think my family would’ve preferred that. My logic said that it couldn’t get better because the mother was dead. I was determined there had to be more to it!  I couldn’t just stop and cut my losses, I had to read on because I got it for us to bond over. There had to be something redeemable about it. Let me tell you…that’s faith over logic! It was one of those times when I think my family would’ve preferred I used my logic and cut our losses, but I was digging my heals in.

As I continued to read, I kept thinking about how if this was supposed to be fun, I’d hate to see what miserable looked like. Anyhow, we made it to the end. It was bizarre and had us scratching our heads, but that’s not the point. The mother didn’t actually die. Ok, it still seems as odd now as it did after reading it, but we all laughed about how I kept on reading it and kind of glad we didn’t stop. My point is that if we had quit in the middle of the story, we’d have never known there was a happy ending. The death would’ve been all we knew.

I have to tell you one more thing.  On this trip we were walking through an area that used to be like a forest, but bugs had completely ruined the trees. What used to be a lush canopy is now what looks like dead sticks coming out of the ground. Logic told us those woods were ruined, but faith tells us there’ll be rebirth. You see…the story isn’t over. Just like our story in the vehicle, it wasn’t over. Faith over logic.

So many times I’ll catch myself saying, “No, that won’t work. No, that can’t be done.” If my story ended with that email from my hubby, what blessings would we have missed out on? Trust me when I say there were many before, during, and after that trip. Faith over logic.

Does something seem dead to you right now? Let me remind you that you’re in the middle of the story. Don’t get stuck in the dead trees and quit. That’s just depressing that you’d never know how the next chapter might turn out. Move forward and see the ending that God has planned for you. There’s still more to the story. After that story we read in the vehicle, most of the others in the book had us cracking up. It can get better.

What area in your life is God showing you an open door that doesn’t make sense to your thinking?  What’s God telling you not to shut the book on because the story isn’t over?  I challenge you to have faith over logic in that area today.