“Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore? But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, ‘Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.’” Mark 5:35b-36
I like to give that faith illustration of standing next to a chair. The punch-line to the illustration is, you know I believe the chair will hold my weight because I am sitting in the chair. If I stood there all day proclaiming the chair is safe without sitting in it at some point, doubt would begin to form concerning the stability of the chair. So, what do our actions tell others about our God?
The question is painful because times have gotten so rough that it seems like every adult security blanket is in the wash or lost. There is not one area of an American’s life that has gone untouched. Some stores have arrows with lines telling you to keep six feet apart. Other stores you have to make an appointment just to go in. Online shopping is hit and miss with a warning about shipping issues. Certain items throughout the States are limited to purchase, and that is if it is even in stock. The price of meat has increased, and chickens are the number one pet people are buying during this crisis. Experts are canceling or postponing every area of fun, relaxation, or worship. When you do see a friend in public, there is this awkwardness of how to show affection. When someone asks you, “How’s it going?” you stumble for words because life as you want it, is gone.
I like this Bible story because it reminds us that people overhear our conversations. It also reminds us that there will always be someone in the crowd that will encourage you to give up and quit. This is not the time to speak words of discouragement. God teaches us to speak only words that edify. We are not supposed to verbalize every fearful thought that flies into our heads. Walk and talk out those verses that you have memorized or just read in the morning. Be the voice in the crowd that says, “let me tell you what God said to me this morning.”
I refuse to perpetuate propaganda words, but I will say this. Life is shifting gears quickly, and we aren’t in a 5-speed but an 18-wheeler. There seems to be no end to evil or fear. I am an old Navy wife that got used to constant change. It did not happen overnight for me. It took years of learning to trust God and allowing Him to be the constant in my life.
Allow God to become your core and everyday norm. Stop allowing fear to paralyze you or worse, stop allowing yourself to mushroom while you wait for your old life to make a comeback. Be that light in a frightened world that shows what belief in God looks like in action.
People get ready; Jesus is coming!
I like to give that faith illustration of standing next to a chair. The punch-line to the illustration is, you know I believe the chair will hold my weight because I am sitting in the chair. If I stood there all day proclaiming the chair is safe without sitting in it at some point, doubt would begin to form concerning the stability of the chair. So, what do our actions tell others about our God?
The question is painful because times have gotten so rough that it seems like every adult security blanket is in the wash or lost. There is not one area of an American’s life that has gone untouched. Some stores have arrows with lines telling you to keep six feet apart. Other stores you have to make an appointment just to go in. Online shopping is hit and miss with a warning about shipping issues. Certain items throughout the States are limited to purchase, and that is if it is even in stock. The price of meat has increased, and chickens are the number one pet people are buying during this crisis. Experts are canceling or postponing every area of fun, relaxation, or worship. When you do see a friend in public, there is this awkwardness of how to show affection. When someone asks you, “How’s it going?” you stumble for words because life as you want it, is gone.
I like this Bible story because it reminds us that people overhear our conversations. It also reminds us that there will always be someone in the crowd that will encourage you to give up and quit. This is not the time to speak words of discouragement. God teaches us to speak only words that edify. We are not supposed to verbalize every fearful thought that flies into our heads. Walk and talk out those verses that you have memorized or just read in the morning. Be the voice in the crowd that says, “let me tell you what God said to me this morning.”
I refuse to perpetuate propaganda words, but I will say this. Life is shifting gears quickly, and we aren’t in a 5-speed but an 18-wheeler. There seems to be no end to evil or fear. I am an old Navy wife that got used to constant change. It did not happen overnight for me. It took years of learning to trust God and allowing Him to be the constant in my life.
Allow God to become your core and everyday norm. Stop allowing fear to paralyze you or worse, stop allowing yourself to mushroom while you wait for your old life to make a comeback. Be that light in a frightened world that shows what belief in God looks like in action.
People get ready; Jesus is coming!
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