Godzilla

I read a story of a young boy who was being terrorized by a dog.  Not a German Shepherd or Pit Bull… but a Chihuahua.  The dog’s name?  Godzilla.

He would run around the house and the dog would follow him.  The boy played and the dog stared.  In this little boy’s mind, Godzilla was stalking him…waiting for his moment to pounce.  While we know the dog just wanted to play… to this boy… the fear was real and unrelenting.  He was convinced that he was being hunted by a beast that wanted to hurt him.  

Guilt is a lot like that dog.  

Something we’ve done, said, or thought is sitting in wait.   But our guilt is no tiny chihuahua... it’s bark is much larger... and more menacing...  It’s pinned us in a corner and made us doubt the size of our God.  It has chased us through counseling, good advice, and numerous readings of scripture.  It torments our dreams and drops in every now and then throughout our day to remind us that we shouldn’t feel good about ourselves. 

You know what you did.

You know who you were.

You can’t overcome it.  You won’t change.  

And just when it seems like we get away... it sniffs us out again.  The chase continues.  

We’re tired of running.  

So how do we handle that overwhelming feeling of guilt?  We invite another big dog into the hunt... worry.  Guilt and worry... both crushing emotions in their own right.  Together they’re simply terrifying.  They’ve been known to cause sleepless nights, hopelessness, and an overwhelming dependence on our own strength.  

So why do we do it?  Why do we allow what we did to define what we’re becoming?  Why is guilt so powerful?  

We don’t believe this verse.

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”  Romans 8:1-2 (NLT)

If you are in relationship with Jesus... and He is your Lord and Savior... there is nobody holding your past over your head except you.  Scripture tells us that when we confess our sin... when we tell God what we’ve done... He sends it away forever.  Forgotten and over.  That is so hard for our minds to comprehend... that something that once defined us is now voided?  Something that once paralyzed us with worry and fear was one confession away from the feeling of freedom?

We don’t have to fully understand it for it to be true.  God’s thoughts are different than our own (Isaiah 55:8).  He loves us unconditionally, wholly, and without reservation.  When we ask for freedom from the chains on our thought life, Jesus gives us the keys of confession to unlock them.  Today’s the day to breathe without burden... shed the shackles of the past... and leave the guilt where it belongs... with the old you.    

Those dogs... guilt and worry... they’ll stop chasing you with one simple command.  

“Be still...”

God said it to your heart in Psalm 46:10  “Be still, and know that I am God!”

Today can be the day you stop running and be still.  Guilt-free.  Burden-lifted.  Heart deep in love with God again.

I came across a paragraph by an 85 year old woman that I think sums it up best. She wrote, 

"If you live to be 75 years old you will live over 657,000 hours. Did you know that? That’s almost 2/3rds of a million hours that you’re going to live. That’s too much to be anxious about all the time. So don’t worry.  God, if I had my life to live over, I would relax & ramble around and be sillier than I had been on this trip. I would take fewer things so seriously and I would take more chances. I would take more trips and I would climb more mountains & swim more rivers.

"I would eat more ice cream and less prunes.  I would perhaps have some actual troubles but I’m sure I would have fewer imaginary ones. You see, I’m one of those people who have lived sensibly & safely, hour after hour, day after day.  Oh, I have had my moments. And if I had it all to do over again I would have more of them. Just moments one after another instead of living so many years in a big chair, acting like all those persons who never go anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, or a parachute.

If I had it to do over again I would worry less. I would laugh more, & I would pick a lot more daisies."

Good insight from a burdened life.   Your life can be different.  The last paragraph of your story doesn’t have to say.... “If I had my life to live over...”   Shedding the guilt and worry, you will have lived it to it’s fullest without the weight of “what if.”

Make today the day that you begin to release your guilt and worry through confession... start enjoying freedom... and live the long and purposeful life you were created to.  I’ll be praying for you as you do.

Fly Don't Crawl

I can’t imagine how confused the caterpillar is.  He crawls along the ground... little legs propelling him ever so slowly toward his destination.  But somewhere in his heart he knows there is supposed to be more to life.  He has dreams about it.  Day after day he sees his friends “disappear” and in their place emerge beautiful creatures with brightly colored wings... soaring beyond the restrictions of tiny legs.  

Yet there he sits tethered to the earth by his tiny feet.  

And he begins to doubt the dream.  

What has God made me for?

Am I REALLY supposed to fly?

Wouldn’t it be easier to just give in and stay small?

“No, I can’t.  I was born to fly.”

“No you weren’t.  You were meant to be just like the other caterpillars.  Just go over there, eat those leaves, and give up.”

“But I can’t.  It’s stamped on my soul.  God made me to be a butterfly!”

“If God made you to fly... how come you didn’t start out already doing it?”

A good question.   One that many people ask.  If God created me for greatness... how come I’m not that way by default?  Why do I have to take the long road to my potential... why wouldn’t a loving God give me the shortcut?  Why does it take so long to fly?

Because you need the process so you can handle the progress.   

You need the cocoon experience.  The growth.  The challenges.  The preparation.  The learning.  The strengthening.  And maybe the hardest of all...

The waiting. 

Cocoon time... that time where we develop and change shape... is often the most challenging part of our existence.   We wonder when it will happen... or even if it will.  God says everything happens in His perfect time:

“For everything there is a season,

    a time for every activity under heaven.”  Ecclesiastes 3:1

God’s timing may seem slow to us... but it often takes that much time for us to learn to trust Him more.  He’s not waiting to act... He’s waiting on us.

And while you’re waiting... everyone else seems to be judging you.  But remember, the world sees an ugly cocoon... but God sees the beauty that’s developing inside of it.  

The transformation from scared to secure.

The change from sullen to satisfied

The metamorphosis from shackled to set free.

God sees you.  Challenged...curious... like the caterpillar... wondering if that stirring in your heart will really happen or not.   You’re seeing your friends prosper.   Being blessed.   They’re moving forward and you seem to be going nowhere.  

Make no mistake.  God is working in your life.  He’s just making sure that your transformation is complete.  Everything that is happening right now is for a reason.

Romans 8:28 “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Please don’t misread this verse... all things that happen to you won’t be good things.  But, like I said last weekend, God can use them for something positive in your life.   

-  Your pain will build muscles to endure future challenges.  

• That break-up will hurt now... but someday you will learn to trust again.  Only this time, you’ll know more about yourself.

• The financial pit you find yourself in?  An opportunity to re-prioritize and grow.

The cocoon isn’t always pleasant.  In fact, getting out of it can be a struggle too.   Science tells us that if you try to help a butterfly by cutting open it’s cocoon and letting it out... it won’t survive.  It needs the struggle of pushing out... building endurance... strengthening  its wings.  Without the effort... it fails.

Same for you.  Your challenges make you stronger. So you can do more than just survive for the long-term...  the difficulties...the transformation.. the pushing through... all build important life-muscle so you can

fly.  

It’s stamped on your soul.  You were created with a purpose to do something great.  

If you woke up this morning feeling like a tiny caterpillar... spend some time with God and let Him reassure you that you were meant for so much more...  You’re getting stronger with each passing day... and someday soon, in God’s perfect time, you’ll break free and fly.  

Shadow

As you read this today... you might be worried about something.  It’s kept you awake... taken over your thoughts... and made prayer time with God seemingly impossible to get through without distraction.  In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul tells us how to deal with these types of burdens:  “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Is worry casting a huge shadow over your life?  Pray and don’t stop until you have an answer.  Be honest... blunt... straightforward with your requests.  Pray specifically and unceasingly... and when God comes through (and He will in His own perfect way and time)... give thanks for what He does.  Worry is destructive and never works.  Give your burdens to God... leave them there... and experience a peace like never before.

Sleepless?

In August of 2010, Ron S. of Brewester, Massachusetts had a problem.  Doctors discovered an “ominous dark spot” on one of his lungs. They feared the worst.  Multiple tests were run but all came back inconclusive.  There was only one thing left to do... surgery.  The mass was removed and sent to the labs.  After a couple of days it was concluded that it wasn’t cancer at all... it was a pea that had somehow worked its way into his windpipe and then his lung.  The moist environment of the lung had caused it to sprout.  

How much time do we spend dreading those “ominous dark spots” in our lives.  We work ourselves up... preparing ourselves for doom and gloom... only to find that what we dread isn’t what comes to pass.  Over 90% of what we worry about never happens.  9 out of 10 sleepless nights are pointless.   We allow the unknown to grow in the dark damp environment of our minds..holding us prisoner to fear and worry.  Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has plans for us... He knows what’s coming... and He’s already ahead of us preparing the way.  No need to doubt, dread, or waste time wondering where the next “dark spot” may come.  Take time to trust!   When we do so, life gets easier and our faith grows stronger!

What Keeps You Up At Night?

A father had told his son he would send him to sleep in the attic with only bread and water for his supper if he disobeyed. Well, the boy disobeyed and was sent to the attic. But the father couldn’t eat. He had his son on his mind and his heart.  His wife said, “I know what you are thinking. But you must not bring the boy from the attic. It would cause him to disobey again. He would have no respect for your word. You must not cheapen your position as his father by failing to keep your word."

The husband replied, "You are right. But he is so lonely up there." 

Maybe this story looks familiar to you.  Not the role of the parent, but of the child.  You’ve done something you’re not proud of even though you told yourself you wouldn’t do it again.  

You have broken a trust... or a friendship...or a heart... or a promise.  

And there you are.  Night has come and you have to face the shadows again. Alone in the dark.  Punished.  Not by God... but by your own mind.  Sitting in isolation and wondering how you’ll get through it.   

Each passing hour brings thoughts of loneliness and regret.  Sleep?  Not even close.

Does God hear your prayers anymore?  Does He even know you’re tossing and turning night after night?  Can God stop your pain and restore your rest?

Absolutely.  We just need to renew our faith in Him.  

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”  Psalm 4:8

God alone leads us to safety... but do you believe He can?  Or are you convinced that the prison of doubt, worry, and fear is too strong for even Him?

Do we have faith He will see us through?  

Do we have faith He will release us from the guilt?

Do we have faith He has overcome the world?

Do we have faith He is all we need?

Do we have faith He is all powerful?

Do we have faith He still heals broken hearts?

Do we have faith He isn’t the God of the accusing finger but of the open arms?

Have we replaced “I believe” with “I think He can”? 

The time has come to break free and believe again...

How do I do that?

Choose reliance not regret.  

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

  in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs 3:5-6

Select peace over pain. 

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."  John 16:33

Decide to have faith not fear.

“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.”  Hebrews 3:12

Let’s look at the conclusion of our story...

His wife said, “I know what you are thinking. But you must not bring the boy from the attic. It would cause him to disobey again. He would have no respect for your word. You must not cheapen your position as his father by failing to keep your word."

The husband replied, "You are right. But he is so lonely up there." 

The man kissed his wife goodnight, entered the attic and when the child went to sleep on the hard boards, his father’s arm was his pillow.

In the darkest of dark nights... God is there.   When we punish ourselves with memories of the past... He is with us.   When we mess up for the hundredth time and find ourselves wrecked by regret and fear... His arms are there...

Ready to cradle our head as if a pillow.  

To allow us a night of deep and rejuvenating sleep... protected by our Heavenly Father who loves us more than anyone.    

Has your faith been rocked?  Choose today to start believing with your whole heart that God CAN.  

And for the first time in a long time there will be...

Sweet dreams. 

Lost Sleep

There is a story told about a woman who for many years couldn’t sleep at night because she worried that her home would be burglarized. One night her husband heard a noise in the house, so he went downstairs to investigate. When he got there, he found a burglar. The husband said to the burglar, "Come upstairs and meet my wife. She has been waiting 10 years to meet you."

The tragic thing about the story above? If the robber had come in ...and the woman had never previously thought about him... he would have stolen stuff and left. One event. One outcome. Instead, this robber stole much more... 10 years of sleep... peace of mind... tranquility... contentment...

The what-ifs were much worse than the burglar who eventually showed up.

Worry is just like that. Precious seconds of our lives spent waiting for someone or something to happen. Sometimes it comes and sometimes it doesn’t. But our bodies and minds don’t know the difference. The scenario in our head seems very real...and our body reacts. Stress, high blood pressure, sleeplessness, anxiety, tension, irritability... all byproducts of a life focused on what could happen over what sometimes actually does.

Worry is powerful... and many times it leads us to turn away from God and try to manage it ourselves. Problem is... there usually isn’t a problem. Look at these stats:

An average person’s anxiety is focused on :
40% -- things that will never happen
30% -- things about the past that can’t be changed
12% -- things about criticism by others, mostly untrue
10% -- about health, which gets worse with stress
8% -- about real problems that will be faced

8%. That tells me that 92% of what we worry about is unnecessary. In the Psalms, David dealt with the 92% too... only he chose a different path than worry.

“O God, have mercy on me,
for people are hounding me.
My foes attack me all day long.
I am constantly hounded by those who slander me,
and many are boldly attacking me.
But when I am afraid,
I will put my trust in you.
I praise God for what he has promised.
I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalm 56:1-4

David chose to trust. Not try to trust. Not say he was going to trust. Not tell others to trust. Not think that trusting was a good idea. Not hear a message about trusting and then worrying all the way home. Not just trusting when things were going great. Not trusting when he ran out of his own power. Not trusting in the small things and trying to handle the big things. Not trusting his past successes. Not trusting his gut over his God.

He trusted.

Is this always easy? Are you always going to feel like trusting? Maybe not. My suggestion to overcoming worry may seem cliché but it works...

Take it one day at a time.

One day.... one decision...one choice at a time. Handle what’s now instead of what may never be. Intentionally decide...even if it’s hour by hour...to give things to God instead of allowing the enemy to intimidate us with scenarios and what-ifs.

We are a masterpiece... and our lives are a beautiful mosaic of experiences (both uplifting and challenging). Let’s turn our hearts and minds over to Christ...there’s no need to worry anymore.

No Worries

I read about a woman with an extremely rare condition.  So rare, in fact, that only 400 cases have been reported worldwide.  It causes her to speak without hesitation… jump when others pull back… boldly face danger… and do it all with a smile.  Her condition?  Urbach-Wiethe syndrome… also known as “no fear” disease.

This woman lives with absolutely no external fears.  No sweaty palms.  No elevated heartbeat.  No worry.  She still logically senses incoming danger…  for example, if a car is heading toward her, she knows to get out of the way.   She is able to face external stresses with no fear.  But the internal ones?

Still there. 

Isn’t it interesting that this condition blocks her from being afraid of what she can see… but still allows the mind to process fear on the inside?   The mind is powerful… and if we let it, it will paralyze us in worry and strife.  It causes us to fear externally and internally… spending our days stuck in neutral waiting for things to change.  But did you also know that you don’t need a rare condition to numb you to worry and stress.  In fact, God has already given you the plan.

A plan for you, the worrier.  A hope for you, the stressed.  A peace for you, the burdened.  His plan?  He wants you to get up everyday and internalize these two verses:

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

“So do not fear, for I am with you;

    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Isaiah 41:10

No fear.  No wringing  your hands over an empty bank account.  No more late night crying sessions over children that have lost their way.  No more feeling the dread of upcoming evaluations… or examinations… or loss.  You weren’t sent here to fear.  You weren’t designed to live in denial.  You weren’t meant to spend every day grasping for control of situations that you can’t possibly bend to your will.  

You were meant to trust.  

You don’t need more faith.  You need to live out the faith that you already have.  Even if all the faith you’ve got left is the size of a pebble… God can move mountains with it.  Take the two verses from today’s devotional and write them down on index cards.  Keep those cards with you everywhere you go… purse, wallet, dashboard, vanity, mirror, etc.   And when the enemy tries to take you down by buckling your knees,  stand strong in the power of these truths from our Heavenly Father.  

Life’s coming at you… and because of these verses, I can assure you that you’ll be ready… not in your own strength, but through the One who walks with you in the valley of uncertainty and challenge.   He’s more than enough and He’ll never let you go.  

Dark Spot

In August of 2010, Ron S. of Brewester, Massachusetts had a problem.  Doctors discovered an “ominous dark spot” on one of his lungs. They feared the worst.  Multiple tests were run but all came back inconclusive.  There was only one thing left to do... surgery.  The mass was removed and sent to the labs.  After a couple of days it was concluded that it wasn’t cancer at all... it was a pea that had somehow worked its way into his windpipe and then his lung.  The moist environment of the lung had caused it to sprout.  

How much time do we spend dreading those “ominous dark spots” in our lives.  We work ourselves up... preparing ourselves for doom and gloom... only to find that what we dread isn’t what comes to pass.  Over 90% of what we worry about never happens.  9 out of 10 sleepless nights are pointless.   We allow the unknown to grow in the dark damp environment of our minds..holding us prisoner to fear and worry.  Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that God has plans for us... He knows what’s coming... and He’s already ahead of us preparing the way.  No need to doubt, dread, or waste time wondering where the next “dark spot” may come.  Take time to trust!   When we do so, life gets easier and our faith grows stronger!

Keep Going

Mary Fasano’s parents pulled her out of eighth grade so she could work in a cotton mill in Rhode Island.  Fifty-five years later, she made a major decision.  She decided that she was going to go back to school to complete her education.  At 71, she completed her coursework and received her high school diploma… but she wasn’t done yet!  She signed up for Harvard University’s extension program and took one class at a time.  Week after week, she drove the twenty miles to the school… and did so for seventeen years!  In June of 2003, Mary Fasano graduated from Harvard at the age of 89.

Many called her crazy.

Many would have told her that her dream was impossible.

But what they forgot…?  Something is impossible ONLY until it is accomplished.

Mary lived her life by this truth from Matthew 19:26 “For nothing is impossible with God”

Today you may be facing something that nobody else believes in but you.   It’s a mountain that’s never been climbed… and achievement the world’s never seen… a way of doing something that’s never been done.  Be bold.  Read that verse above over and over until it weaves its way into the fabric of your heart.  You have been created for greatness… and your greatest competition is the status quo.  The odds of success mean nothing when you have God on your side.  He sets the odds.  He gets you through.  And He will equip you with everything you need to push onward.  Seize the day.  Take your dreams back from the critics because someday you will be dancing in victory while the doubters stand silent.