Fear

Fear

 

 

Fear: a crippling, gut wrenching uneasiness; a restlessness that infects your mind, body, and emotions.  Fear can be created by the most simple, insufficient things, yet has a stronghold that can overtake you if you’re not intentional about seeking the Savior in the midst of it all.  When I was a little girl, I can remember lying in my bed at night, paralyzed with fear. Sure, looking back, the things I was afraid of were probably rather insufficient and dramatic, but it didn’t matter.  The fear I faced was incredibly real.  I distinctly remember feeling as though I literally could not move because I was too afraid to.  Although being older, we may not frequently face this extreme degree of fear; it is metaphorical to the distress we so often may feel in everyday situations. There are ways to avoid fear, and there are ways to ignore fear, but I only know of One who can destroy it.

The truth: Fear is a choice.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

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

 Since the children are made of flesh and blood, it’s logical that the Savior took on flesh and blood in order to rescue them by his death. By embracing death, taking it into himself, he destroyed the Devil’s hold on death and freed all who cower through life Hebrews 2:14-15 (MSG)

It’s easy to fall into the trap of fear.  If you let it, fear can completely overtake your being.  On the contrary, the Bible specifically states (hundreds of times, might I add) that we don’t have to fear. Rather, we can dwell in the safety of the Lord. The simple awareness of God’s presence brings a peace greater than our own understanding.  God died for our freedom, and by simply seeking his presence He offers us this peace. Fear is, in fact, a choice as a result of God’s sacrifice.  I don’t know about you, but I think that offer sounds pretty good!

The truth: Acting in spite of fear is POWERFUL.

 God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Ephesians 6:11-12 (MSG)

Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you. Deuteronomy 3:22

Whatever your “them” in that last verse may be, it is clearly stated that if we stand up against fear, God will act on our behalf.  And from my experience, when God acts on my behalf, He moves in a powerful way!

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

God has already overcome evil, so fear is such a miniscule battle we face.  God’s got your back, there’s no need to fear!

Back to my childhood story….

This fear I faced as a child, I was very blessed to have overcome.  Although my experience may not be considered a typical way God defeats fear, I have decided to share something that reminds me (and can remind you) that God really does care about our struggles, like fear.

As stated earlier, many nights I spent, restless and paralyzed with fear.  On one particular occasion, however, I was especially fearful.  I wanted to run to my parents, but was too scared to move.  Just then, I heard a comforting voice state, “Fear not, for the Lord your God is with you.” Instantly I felt a weight had been lifted off of me.  Peace enveloped my being.  I was calm, and I could rest.  I woke up the next morning, wondering where this voice came from.  The voice seemed to have been an angel speaking to me.  Whether or not that is true, God used those words to bring me peace. 

Although God may not always audibly free you from your fear, He is dying to take away your fear, too. Literally. (Sorry, this post was lacking humor… ;) )

With that, I close….

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10

-Tamara

I Found Love

I Found Love

 

 

No, this is not what you’re thinking.  I’m not here to tell you about a new boyfriend in my life, and I’m not here to tell you that “Jesus is my bf!” I have entered a season in life where it’s very common for friends of mine to feel like they need a boyfriend/girlfriend; and there’s nothing wrong with wanting this.  Needing this, however, is a different story.  As I see people feeling depressed and unwanted simply because they don’t have a date to prom a significant other, it really bothers me.  When it comes down to it, we all want to be loved.  Romantically, respectfully, and admirably. However, somewhere along the way we have distorted this romantic love into a necessity for fulfillment.  Love is something we need, yes, but a boyfriend/girlfriend is not the only way to happiness and fulfillment.

The truth: You are loved.

Before dipping into the Word, can I remind you of something?  There are people who deeply love and care about you.  For some of us, this may mean our parents, others; a close friend or mentor.  Sure, this love is not romantic.  However, it is something we must cherish.  When it comes down to it, I’m a selfish, mistake-making, imperfect individual.  Yet I am loved.

Too often, we take a single person and label them as “unloved” or “undesirable” simply because of a relationship status.  Sounds silly, but I see people do it every day! In reality, a relationship status is rather irrelevant to the great value every person has.  And nothing demonstrates the value of every individual better than what God did for us.

We all know it, but just in case you forgot…

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

When you think about it, giving up a son is a huge sacrifice.  When I think of the people closest to me, I wonder if I could sacrifice like God did.  Nonetheless, He must have found us pretty important to give up the one dearest to Him.

The truth: Love is something exciting and fun, not something meant to tear you down.

In the beginning of Genesis, we observe that God created man, then created woman. As God says, “It’s not good for the Man to be alone; I’ll make him a helper, a companion.” God gave us the opportunity of this close companionship with a significant other, but He never states the necessity for this gift.  God will meet all our needs (Isaiah 41:10), romantic love is just a little bonus ;). So it’s not the end of the world if you don’t have that “special someone.”

The truth: Love is not meant for your decoration, but is a dedication; a declaration.

Often times, we want a boyfriend/girlfriend because they spice up our life.  They make us happy, they boost our self-esteem, or they improve our image.  But really, is that what love is about at all? 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.⁸ Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

When we search for love (romantically, or NOT romantically) in the ways the Bible describes, we find something entirely different than the butterflies or confidence we may receive from a so-called “decoration.”  Rather, we may recognize the people placed in our lives that have given us this great gift.  We recognize the gift of love God has given us. 

So truthfully, I have found love.  Whether or not romantic love comes, I have been blessed with love that’s far more fulfilling than any relationship.  God loved me so much, that He took the time to create me.  He made the sacrifice of His son to die for me.  And he did the same for you. Now that is love.

-Tamara

Sour Apple

Sour Apple

 

 

So I think it’s safe to assume that as human beings, we’ve all had a family member or friend do something or say something that just downright infuriates us.  I’m going to be real here and admit…when people make a mistake I’m not quick to get over it.  In fact, it’s one of the greatest challenges I face.  As I have gone through many experiences of this crippling anger, however, I begin to wonder if it’s really worth it.  When it comes down to it, my anger solves nothing.  Not only does it keep me from the joy God has for me, but it also seeps into the lives of others, pulling them down as well.

Although letting things go is something very difficult to do, I’ve found that holding onto them is actually a lot more painful.  The process of releasing your anger and forgiving has an end, whereas resentment and bitterness can tear you apart until there’s nothing left but a “sour apple.”  We’ve all met that person, the one who manages to pick out every single negative thing in life.  As I examine my own life, I see the risk of getting to that point.  Now I’m not there yet, but even if I was…there is always time to turn it all around. As you read on, I encourage you to examine your own life and come alongside me in a challenge to rid yourself of the “sourness.”

The truth: Anger can destroy you.

For man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:20

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.  Psalm 37:8

A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly. Proverbs 14:29

Yikes, these are only a couple of the many verses I found on this topic.  I’m going to go ahead and conclude that anger is something that must NOT be disregarded.  It has the potential to lead one into bad behavior and sin.  Not only that, but the choice to be angry is a deliberate decision to go against the righteous will God has for our lives.

The truth: Judgment and correction are taken care of by God.

Romans 14:10-12 (MSG):

So where does that leave you when you criticize a brother? And where does that leave you when you condescend to a sister? I’d say it leaves you looking pretty silly—or worse. Eventually, we’re all going to end up kneeling side by side in the place of judgment, facing God. Your critical and condescending ways aren’t going to improve your position there one bit. Read it for yourself in Scripture:

“As I live and breathe,” God says,
“every knee will bow before me;
Every tongue will tell the honest truth
that I and only I am God.”

So tend to your knitting. You’ve got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God.

So in the end, those who have hurt you are accountable for what they did.  Leave it to God to judge them, because it’s not our responsibility to “punish” the ones who hurt us.  Another point to take note of in this scripture is the statement that “all will face judgment.”  Ironically, we often try to attack those who have harmed us, when our anger towards them is also sinful (and will be judged by God) (Matthew 5:22.)  In a sense, doesn’t that make us just as guilty? Just a thought…

The truth: A constant attitude of forgiveness affects every aspect of life. 

Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you. Proverbs 20:22

Just as anger/resentment can infect each element of your life, an attitude of forgiveness has the power to refresh and restore.  There’s a freedom that comes along with the decision to forgive, and this deliverance opens a door to whatever God may have in store for your life. When I think about it, there are probably several opportunities of spiritual growth I’ve missed simply because of sulking in my own bitterness. Anger is such a hindrance to growth, and its tight grip can pull us away from God’s plan. When it comes down to it, we can do one of two things: allow the grip of anger and bitterness to dictate our lives; or let it go and move forward.

What will you choose?

-Tamara

Worth Dying For

Worth Dying For

 

 

There are many people in this world.  There are many possessions we have.  But what would you really be willing to sacrifice your life for?  Would you endure excruciating pain to defend something important to you?  Lately, I’ve been reading the book “Radical,” by David Platt, and it’s really beginning to alter my perspective on my faith.  I’ve come to a point where God is so real to me, and He has become the focus in my life.  However, as I read this book I am faced with wonder.  I wonder…would I be willing to sneak to an underground church in a small town in China, risking being tormented the government for breaking the law? Would I be willing to give away ALL my possessions, like the guy in Mark 10, to honor my God? As questions like these envelop my mind, some truths about the church of today have become clear to me. 

The truth: The sacrificial lifestyle of a Christian is for today.

In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. Luke 14:33

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1

I’m not sure where or when perception got distorted, but God certainly isn’t lowering His standards as time goes by.  He asks that we, as disciples, are willing to sacrifice ourselves, our possessions, our everything for Him. And if were not willing to do that, then are we really being disciples at all?

The truth: Comfort = stagnancy.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. Matthew 5:13

¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Matthew 3:15-16

As you can see, God likes them spicay Christians ;).  When we become content and stop stepping outside our comfort zone to draw nearer to Him, He gets bored!  I mean seriously…spitting out the “lukewarm?”  I do NOT want to be that person. If we fail to obey God when it gets a little uncomfortable, we’re taking a step in the wrong direction.

The truth: God is always by your side.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

Things God asks of us can be scary, no doubt.  But even in the silence, he is still right by our side.  These verses (truths) are encouraging tools to remind us of God’s faithfulness.  Sure, sacrifice is painful.  Sacrifice is hard!  God does not ask us to endure it alone though. 

The truth: It’s worth it.

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. Deuteronomy 28:1

Although the blessing is not the goal, giving everything to God in your life on earth does not go unnoticed. God keeps track of our every move, and will reward us for our sacrifice.

 

Now I’ll be real, the idea of giving up my life for my faith is something I am certainly still shaky on.  It’s very difficult to get away from the selfish part of me that helplessly values my own life.  When it comes down to it though, God truly is worth it all. I hope that as you read this you, too, are challenged to stretch your faith. I also encourage you to read the book “Radical.”  It will mess you up!

Until next time,

Tamara

Fine Arts Essay

Hey guys, I know it's been a while since I've posted. Well, this is why! Below is a copy of my Fine Arts First Person Essay. The theme this year was "Finish/ed," which, as you can imagine, has potential for all sorts of different interpretations. What does it mean to finish, how often do we start something and not finish, what's the point in finishing...the list goes on. Anyway, this is my interepretation. Hope you enjoy!

 

The Arrival 

Finish: to complete; to refine; to arrive.  Starting a task has never been an issue for me.  Perhaps that’s because the only possibility was to improve from my current standings.  On the other hand, finishing can be quite a daunting endeavor, and may include obstacles and hardships that I never intended to face.  I can remember as a young child, I’d play games with my brothers and the second I started to lose I would say, “I quit!”  As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that the same childish attitude I possessed during those games is still my natural tendency when the cost of obstacles seemingly begin to outweigh the goal of the finish line.

            God never promised that the things He asks of me will be easy, rather He stated that through HIM, I am a conqueror  because of His great love which will bring me through (Romans 8:37.)    One time I remember feeling led to pray over a girl for healing.  However, I’d never met this girl before, nor did I feel comfortable doing so.  Despite my feelings, I pushed myself to do it, and words beyond my own wisdom came out of my mouth. I realized something: God will give me the strength I need to finish His work.  I simply need to take action.  This is something I find I must constantly remind myself because it’s so easy to get caught up in worldly views of self-empowerment, when ultimately my strength to finish doesn’t have to come from me; but from HIM.

            A couple years prior to my example above, I was at a point where I had stopped working towards the finish line. I’ve been a Christian for as long as I can remember, but about five years ago I recall feeling spiritually stuck; like I wasn’t moving forward at all.  If anything, I was moving backward.  I began to wonder why God wasn’t bringing me out of the rut I was in.  In all honesty, I had reached a point of complacency.  Sure, God was challenging me to do new things; but not things I wanted to do!  For some reason, He wasn’t getting closer to me! Little did I know that it was my responsibility to grow, and being complacent was simply not an option.

            Finally one day in church, a simple message about Bible reading and prayer caught my attention.  As basic of a sermon it was, it made me realize that I wasn’t actively pursuing God like I should have been.  God is there to carry my burdens, but I have to seek Him to find Him!  I made a decision that day (which still stands true): I choose to run to the finish line.  Sure, I could probably still get into heaven by remaining where I’m at right now.  In the same sense, I could also walk to a finish line.  But why?  Finishing is more than just scraping by; it’s a journey which leads to an arrival.

            Sure enough, this decision ensured obstacles, discomfort, and pain.  Just like running, the battles only got stronger as I went further along. My decision, although rewarding, definitely impacted my relationships with others.  As I became more vocal about my relationship with God, people often treated me differently or tagged me as “weird.” Many friends of mine had difficulty understanding why I became “so religious,” and often questioned or mocked my decisions that went against the “norms” of society.  I was also faced with fear and discomfort as God led me to serve in ways beyond my own capabilities. For example, I distinctly remember God pushing me to speak up in a situation with some friends of mine.  It was awkward and distressing at the time, but little experiences like this reminded me of God’s power, peace, and comfort. Perhaps it was my age, or perhaps God gave me strength I needed; nonetheless, I began to realize that obstacles are inevitable, but the finish line is well worth the fight. 

            I look forward to the day when I finally do reach the finish line. Although the journey there is the main focus, the reward is the icing on the cake.  I cannot fathom what will come beyond the finish line; but I know this: It’s something worth running towards.  The obstacles I have faced, and the trials to come are simply attacks of the enemy meant to lead me astray.  As John 16:33 states, “In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world!”  Although finishing isn’t always the easiest option, it is unquestionably the most rewarding.   And when that day comes, I will not walk through the finish line; I will run; run to the One who carried me through it all.

-Tamara

Increase Your Peace

Increase Your Peace  

 

 

 

Stress.  It’s something we all deal with from time to time, but we all seem to handle it a bit differently.  How should we be handling it though?  For me, I tend to resort to missing meals, missing sleep, and a negative attitude.  None of those things are very good decisions; and to be honest with you all I definitely have some work to do in this area!  I’ve discovered a major flaw, however, in how I go about “fixing” my stress.  Typically if it’s caused by exams, friend problems, or anything I think I’m capable of overcoming, I spend a lot of time trying to fix the issue.  The problem with this is I can’t always fix the issue myself, thus, leading me into further frustration. 

The truth: When we are obedient and do everything with excellence, we can find peace through trust in God.

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.  The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation. Isaiah 12: 2

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)

In other words, when we are doing our best to serve God but there are still some bumps along the way, we really just need to step back and let God do the work.  He may not fix your problem but He will give you peace IF you let Him.

The truth: “Fixing” the stressors in your life isn’t always necessary.  God will calm your storm.  

You know that old saying, “everything happens for a reason?”  Well, whether or not you believe that to be true, God allows us to face trials for several reasons, but He never wanted to see us suffer.  God provides peace because He does care, and although it may seem hard, sometimes we just have to allow the stressful times to pass and rely on God to carry us through.

The Lord will fight for you. You have only to be still. Exodus 14:14

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

So God may have left us with the world in which we, in fact, will face many stressful events, but He also left us with the gift of peace.  Kind of silly to just ignore something like that, you know?  It’s so easy to slip into fix-it mode, but when we take another look at the Bible, it is clear that the stressful times have lessons to be learned and God will be there to give us PEACE.

The truth: God’s peace passes all understanding.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

I can tell you from my personal experience, all of the verses I have listed are no joke.  It’s hard to explain, but there have been times where I’ve been so stressed, then a simple prayer gives me such strong assurance and security that I’m not walking this journey alone, and everything is going to be alright. 

So next time you’re feeling overwhelmed with stress, rather than try to “fix it”, remember God’s promise.

Until next time…

Peace out. ;)

Integrity

Integrity

 

 

On my mind lately is the idea of what we do when nobody’s looking.  Now I’m not talking picking your nose or dancing like a crazy person to your favorite song…but rather, the person you are when the world isn’t watching.  We all have our morals, our beliefs, and our convictions; all of which are typically simple to follow when we have an audience.  I mean really, who wants to look bad in front of someone else? However, it can be pretty easy to step outside the lines when nobody’s there to call you out.  So maybe you already exercise what you preach, but if I were to guess, I’d say all of us have our moments where our selfish, humanly side takes the driver’s seat.

The truth: There’s always an audience of one.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men Colossians 3:23

Not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart Ephesians 6:6

Living on earth, it’s easy to assume that nobody sees the things we do it secret; but it’s foolish to draw this conclusion.  You can’t hide it from God—and his opinion is the only one that really matters anyway.  (For reference, Jonah is a perfect example of this.) 

The truth: True character is what you do when nobody’s looking.

Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ in front of others, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. ² “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Matthew 6:1-4

So sure, you may not get all the “credit” you desire for doing what’s right when nobody’s watching on earth; but I think that comes along with the territory of being a person of character.  We’re not always going to get rewarded for the things we do when nobody’s watching, but God sees and He will reward you in Heaven. When we do what is right simply because it’s right, God does not let that go un-noticed!

The truth: Everything you claim to be is meaningless if there’s an “on” and “off” switch.

Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. 2 Corinthians 5:11

Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. Proverbs 10:9

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them. Proverbs 11:3

Honestly, what’s the point in putting on a show?  Imagine judgment day…do you think God’s going to be there stating, “Wow, you did a great job living a righteous life when everyone was watching.  Forget about the times in secret where you fell short, because you sure impressed everyone!”  Yeah, I’m gonna guess it won’t go like that. Being righteous and integrity-filled is all about how you live your life despite the presence or absence of an audience.  When it’s all said and done, your character and integrity is only between you and God, and the “ideal model” you’ve created for the world to see is irrelevant. 

So think about it, do you act the same way when nobody’s looking?  Are your intentions to impress others, or do the right thing?

He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much. Luke 16:10

Until next time…

-Tamara