Trust Part II: Learning to Trust

Learning to Trust.

Once again I feel led to talk about the issue of trust. Our society likes to think of themselves as independent and self-reliant so we essentially have forgotten how to trust. But tonight at my moms Bible study at church we studied trust and how it builds the bridge to joy. A book I read a long time ago, One Thousand Gifts, was the topic of discussion.

First, I want you to think of roadblocks in your life that make you too afraid to step out of your comfort zone and trust the will of God. These roadblocks, are the things that blind you to truth, truth that brings about trust. Once you have thought of these things, I want you to write them down on a paper and visualize the words. Then one by one I want you to pray over each word and cross it out. Because we all have to tell satan that he has no control over us, and that our strength comes from God.

I am embarrassed to admit, and for a long time I wouldn't admit it, but for sooooo long I relied on food. I not only relied on it but for a while it had become my backbone in life. To the point that when things in life didn't go my way I would just eat rather than getting in the word. I would physically fill myself up rather than allowing God to spiritually fill me up. Essentially my trust was in food, because of my strong mental reign that dictated over my spiritual. But there are other roadblocks such as control  selfishness, busyness, and failure. All of these roadblocks we allow to steal our joy and control our spiritual life.

The author of this book, Ann Voskamp, brought  up a lot of good points and one that really convicted my heart was that, every time I choose stress/worry/food over Him I am committing an act of disbelief, a form of practical atheism. Belief is a verb, it is something that you actively do.

So I ask the question, how do you begin to trust? How do you truly believe that God is real and capable of acting in your life????

Well, I know this is going to sound stupid easy but, its as simple as counting your blessings! When you count your blessings you recognize who can be counted on in your life. When you give thanks to God for what He has already done then you can begin to trust Him in the future.

Romans 8:32 [ He who did not spare his own Son, but gave Him up for us all,

 how will he not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? ]

When we get away from our facebooks, twitters, pinterest, cell phones, distractions, etc... and reflect on all that we  have, we are able to see all that God has done... There is nothing to lose in trusting Him to continue His work in your heart and life. 

Trust.

So this week I have  been praying asking God to reveal to me what He wanted posted on this blog and I felt like He wasn't speaking to me, but honestly I wasn't truly seeking His will because I was too preoccupied with Netflix and Facebook. But when I finally got away from them for a few days I was able to hear His ever so quiet whisper.

Last week mom and I were doing yard work when we discovered a birds nest in one of our trees we were pruning. Well I noticed how fiercely the mother abandoned the nest when we were coming, but she never stopped watching us work around the tree. As I reflect back on that moment, I wanted and I knew I could help the momma bird! Our society is so capable of doing above and beyond what that momma bird needs for her babies! WE practically could raise her babies for her and give them all of the nutrition that they need. But she would abandon the eggs if we tried because she doesn't trust us.

When I think about this concept, I look to my relationship with God. Like the momma bird, I like to think I know how to control the situation and make sure everything is great. However,  like the caring gardener [God], when He tries to intervene on my behalf, I get scared and don't trust Him. I am like the bird, I abandon Him because I am no longer in control. This is a toxic cycle and has caused me to stumble many times because of my stubbornness and desire to be in control!

A wise pastor recently told me, we trust God to a point, we struggle with trusting him because we believe we are not capable, we are insecure, we make every excuse to not trust God.  It is hard to trust God with all those things, but God is omnipresent and all powerful. God has given us the keys to the kingdom. He trust us with His kingdom, yet we fail to trust him with all these little things. [Pastor John Matson, Bayside Community Church]

Isaiah 42:16-18
[I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,    along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them   and make the rough places smooth.These are the things I will do;  I will not forsake them. But those who trust in idols   who say to images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back in utter shame.“Hear, you deaf;    look, you blind, and see!]

Proverbs 3:5-6 
[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.]

Post Traumatic Tech Obsession

Post Traumatic Tech Obsession

Have you ever tried to talk to someone who is focused on their technological device of choice? Ever feel like you are disturbing them from their game or snap chat that is clearly more important than you? What has happened to our society, we are unable to have a conversation without pulling out our iphone or ipad. We are so "wanted" by everyone else that it is impossible to maintain 5 minute conversation without getting cut off by someone else who is miles away.

Well I fell into this trap my sophomore year of college. I wanted to feel wanted and desired by my friends, which of course meant that the only way I could do that was through a smart phone. I loved it! Literately every spare moment I had I would stare into my smart phone rather than trying to be friendly or meet people. This lifestyle consumed me and I was unable to make new friends because I refused to leave the security of my phone. My phone had become part of my self-identity and confidence. I couldn't live without it because I lived for it.

I titled this blog, Post Traumatic Tech Obsession, because I still suffer from my addiction to my old phone. I know this sounds weird, but I had to quit cold-turkey and walk away from my phone because it was my idol and I was unable to grow closer to God when I was living for the world. I go through days where I feel left out or "abandoned" because I don't have the latest technology or an iPhone. When all my friends are snap chatting, face timing, or checking their Facebook, I am sitting there with my dumb phone and not a Bible app but a good old-fashion paper Bible.

It took me years to figure out that living for my phone pushed me farther away from the Lord, and if anything, it blinded me to the truth and His will for my life. I walked in my own will and claimed that I was unable to discern God will, when really I didn't want to have anything to do with it. I challenge you today to reflect on these questions that helped me break away from my obsession:

1. How many times do you check your Facebook a day? versus. How many times do you check in with God a day?
2. How many text messages have you sent today? versus. How many people have you lifted up in prayer today?
3. What is the definition of an idol?
4. Who is the ruler of your life (i.e. in our busy world who engulfs the majority of your time)?

Ironic how as I am writing this blog, a friend on Facebook posted, "I miss my phone, I never thought I would become this reliant upon technology."  I am so guilty of this technology obsession, I have to constantly cut it out of my life before it begins to control me and draw me away from the Lord.

Stress.

Stress. 

It seems to wash over me like the waves in the sea. One moment the stress is there and next moment I am embracing the dry sand and sun. This week has been a tsunami wave for me, except the stress I once before felt is no longer there. I no longer worry about the grades that I will receive because worrying and stressing never made the teacher grade easier or like me more. I have let go of the momentary, the things I have no control over and allow God to do what He does best.

This stress we allow to control us, from daily chores to final exams and ultimately with life altering choices. Rather than allowing God to be in control we have put ourselves as masters and ultimately in bondage to the stress and worry, when it really has no legitimate power over us. One of my favorite verses Philippians 4:6-7  ^[ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 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.]

As a college student these past few weeks have been hard, and everyone reacts to the change in workload differently but regardless God has been in control since the beginning of time and He is not going to stop during finals week of Spring 2013.

Guard Your Heart!

Proverbs 4:23 [Above all else guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it]

In society today, we [as ladies] are fed the lie that we have to be in a relationship. It is all over the media, tabloids, and news. We cant make it a few hours without being exposed to this "false truth." Thirstiness to be in a relationship has forced a compromise of our values and morals, for a fleshly desire. The social norm is to be in these shallow relationships. These relationships where we share permanent feelings with a temporary person and yet we are surprised when our hearts are broken in to, when we allowed them in. We allowed them in by forcing a relationship built on our control and capabilities. We appease our boredom and loneliness, settling for a false companion.

This season of singleness is an opportunity, not only a time of serving God but more importantly a heart make over. For so many, we overlook this important season, constantly seeking out the next guy that will appease this desire in our heart for companionship. Finding boys that are kind of "godly", that go to church on Sunday, guys that we can change and make into the image we want. But we fail to recognize, we are no creator.  We have no authority over the heart of man. For so many years I went through this toxic cycle of trying to change people to make them into the image I desired. Yet time and time again they failed me by pushing my values and morals away from  God and time and time again I repeated the cycle.

I failed to recognized, I was created for a purpose. My inner most being was created for something bigger than my shallowness, my loneliness, my boredom, my selfishness. Behind all of that was a heart that was created in the image of God, an image our shallowness and selfishness has a hard time grasping. But this heart had the desires to serve and grow closer to God, yet was blind because of desperation.

Your heart is in God's possession and if a man wants to pursue you he will need to go to God first. If he does not, then he is not the man that deserves the emotions and desires God has hidden in your heart; desires meant to be shared with your future husband. A husband who has God's word over-flowing from his heart, is the man you are waiting for. A man who values your heart for God and not what you can offer him during this temporary life on earth.

I know this concept may sound crazy or even impossible and you're probably thinking that guy doesn't exist and he never will. But I encourage you to really surrender your control over this and allow God to work in your heart because the moment you let go, serious make-overs begin and God is able to reveal Himself to you. God says in Ecclesiastes that there is a season for everything and God could be calling you to a season of singleness so he can work in your heart, transforming you into that Proverbs 31 woman.

blog inspired by:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igCj3jsbcqs  and a good friend :)

Under Attack.

Under Attack?

Feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt or shame from temptations or trials that have been overcome by Gods power? Well this is spiritual warfare and satan puts these negative thoughts and feeling in your heart, to blind you to the joy of Christ power in overcoming the temptation or trial. You never know how mad you make Satan until he tries to destroy the good things God is doing for you and in you. Last week I posted about purity and before I posted it I was really nervous because I felt that it might have been too blunt and to the point and that ultimately I might offend someone. Well I definitely offended Satan because he clearly came for me this weekend.

Satan knows that God will protect His children:
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have summoned by name you are mine." Isaiah 43:1
Throughout the Old Testament, God continually protected His people. Moses promises Gods people, who were in fear because of Pharaohs army nearing the Red Sea, that the "Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." Exodus 14:14 
We are promised that, "no temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

He protects. He rescues. He fights.

When we are no longer willing to follow satan and decide to follow Christ, we are allowing Him to be the leader of our lives. Like any human being rejection hurts and Satan hates it. Our sinful nature seeks revenge when rejected, but Satan seeks destruction. And he made an attack on the precious covenant I made to God and my future husband. A covenant that has become part of my foundation in life. An area of my life I have struggled with he prowled out and tried to destroy, but because I have put my trust and faith in Christ, He protected me from the attack of satan. 1 Peter 5:8-9 [ Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.]

A good friend reminded me that God has anointed me with wisdom and courage to speak about what He has put on my heart. And while it may seem that I have it all together, I am only a woman and also a sinner and I face the same temptations and trials. This weekend was a wake-up call to me that satan is real and he is out there trying to rob me of everything good that God does for me. 2 Peter 2:9 [the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VGwVtYxEy8

Hide Your Love Away

Attention Young Ladies!

Ever felt lonely and desperate to be in a relationship?  Have you ever done something with a guy just to keep a relationship going? Is purity a word you find yourself avoiding?

Well, I know exactly how you feel and my heart has a heavy burden to share. A burden that I carried for so long, until I allowed God to take that burden and pain away. This pain was not something that I volunteered myself for or allowed freely to happen. This pain began when I consciously chose to put my life before my relationship with God. The moment I turned my back on God was the moment I unconsciously told Satan I was willing to follow him.

Satan will not tempt you with something he knows you will overcome, he has been in this world for far to long to lose that easy. He targets each of us with what he knows will keep us away from a relationship with the Father and for me that was physical purity. For me, Satan put guys in my life that were nice, from good "Christian" homes, and were exactly what I "thought" I was looking for. He is going to tempt each of us differently, for you it may be mental purity, physical purity, or both. But there are 3 things young women desire: we want to be pursued by our prince charming, we want to be told we are beautiful, and we want to be heard/undivided attention.

Any boy that is willing to pursue you, tell you that you are beautiful, and give you his undivided attention over his relationship with the Lord, does not truly desire the Lord or your purity. He desires to know you and only you  and while his intentions may seem innocent at first, he is also a sinner and without a foundation built on the Lord, your relationship with him will lead down a path that leads to mental or physical sin, because that is what our sinful nature desires. A godly man is someone that is willing to guard your heart and pursue you only when he knows that it is the will of God, and he is the one worth waiting for.


Watch this first: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgRFAY7gEmM

From My Heart:
I watched this video the other night and it ripped my heart apart, mostly because this is something I have failed to do in my past, I didn't hide my love away and in this sinfallen world there is always going to be those painful memories, but God has restored my heart when I rededicated my purity. For me it is not just a physical purity but also a purity of mind as well. [1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.] 

I want to encourage you and let you know that you can take this back. Satan does not have control over you.  By surrendering your purity to Christ and your future husband you are surrendering to Gods plan. The more you pursue Gods will, the more he will heal your heart from the pain it holds on to. He will fill you with desires that you would have never seen if you were still following the world. Its okay to mess up, that is how God breaks our pride and uses us to reach others [James 1:2-3  Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.]

The most awesome example of this is in the Bible in John 8:2-11. Basically a woman was "caught in the act" of adultery and like today there was a double standard, they were more critical of a woman who was unfaithful, than of a man unfaithful. But Jesus knew that this woman had made a mistake, had committed a sin, but that she wanted to be forgiven. She deserved to be stoned, yet Jesus held every one accountable and said "Let those who have never sinned throw the first stones." John 8:7. Jesus is more than ready to forgive each one of us than we are ready to forgive each other.

You deserve to be treated with respect. You deserve to be treated in a loving manner. You deserve forgiveness. You deserve undivided attention. The desire of God's heart is a relationship and fellowship with others. Jesus sets the example for all godly men with respect to caring for women, however, no human relationship can satisfy the deep soul-need you have. A relationships with a man cannot match it. Only Jesus can satisfy that desire! You can start over and rededicate your purity to God and your future husband.