Two things happened that I’ve feared. (Not my greatest fears, mind you.) I told a friend recently that I’ve had a recurring dream about loosing teeth. She, an X-ray tech or the closest thing to a bone expert that I know, said these dreams are very common. Phew! I thought I was being vain! Yesterday my front tooth broke off AND with the arrival of my statement I discovered my card was stolen and I was over $2000 in debt!
Funny thing is that I can’t really get too upset about these minor things. (a benefit of being a news junkie) I’m not in the Horn of Africa right now, I don’t own any stocks or investments and my kids are not rioting or looting in the UK! I am not fighting to overthrow a dictator or languishing in a shipping container!
Some people think that what they fear will come upon them. That God makes this happen to grow us. I don’t think scripture supports this. I think he is much more gentle with us that most of us give him credit for. This is a strange thought coming from one steeped in the prophetic books right now. I suppose the greatest and most common fear we all have is God’s judgement. I agree with the late Mike Yaconelli who wrote a unique Statement of Faith (scroll all the way down to read it.) I talking about the Father’s love he says “…He’s also about justice with a capital J, but we’ll take our chances that, in the end, justice will feel like love.” “Severe Mercy” is not an oxymoron.
I can actually feel God loving me through the embarrassment of a goofy looking smile and in his “I told you so” (I thought my credit card was just misplaced)
Oh, how he loves us! Does he use the things we fear? Most definitely YES! Does he make these things come upon us? Probably not. Maybe sometimes. But he IS always a gentle father!
What do YOU fear? Hand it over to your Father. He’ll be gentle with you.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.
I stand in agreement with you Pat! I really enjoyed the message in this post. The Lord prunes us, He doesn’t seek to destroy us… that’s the other guy. The enemy can take this body, but it can’t touch this… our spirit. The enemy is found behind us… our fears, our doubts, droughts and insecurities, because he knows he can’t gain access through the front door. Thanks again Pat! I do believe that the Lord is causing all things [even potentially bad ones at first glance], to work together for good, to those who love Him, and are called… for such a time as this.
Love you friend!