Leaving Fear, Finding Faith: Part 1

It's been awhile since I've written a post. It has mainly been because life has been somewhat crazy. Lots going on, but isn't that always the case. Since my last post, I've stepped out of some leadership roles at my church, became part of a leadership class in the city I live in, sung a song I wrote in front of my church family, fallen  in love with GOD more, and seen GOD work in my life to change me for His glory. I know the journey that He has me on isn't over yet. He promises that His dreams are bigger than anything I can think of or imagine.

I probably should start out with what God had me at the end of last year and where He has brought me on this journey of leaving fear and finding faith.

At the end of last year, I asked God for some pretty big things. I felt like He told me it would happen before the end of this year (2014). I had a great expectation that He would do it sooner than later. It still hasn't happened. So, what does that mean for me, more waiting. In the past the word wait would have caused so much fear. And to be honest, it still brings on the first twinges of fear. However, God gave me two passages of Scriptures on January 1st that has been played over and over in various ways this year. They are:

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Both of these passages start of with the admonishment not to fear. God knew I would need these verses this year. He knew that in order for me to hold on to what He told me, I would have to stand firm in faith. Standing in faith for what God has told you is not for the faint of heart or fearful heart. I'm thankful for His promise that He is my God and that He will help me. 

Here are a few things He has taught me in the last ten months:

1. It's okay to say no or goodbye to things, people or places that are good. He might just be leading you to His best.
2. It's okay to be honest that you struggle trusting and believing. Every true believe struggles at some point in their faith, being honest about it doesn't make you less of His child or mean you don't love God. You just have to come back to the truth of who He says He is. Psalm 13.
3. It's okay to go alone if no one else wants to believe with you. I've realized everyone won't understand or believe you heard from God. God does still speak to us. If He spoke it to you, it might mean believing and trusting Him by yourself.

I don't like that last one. It's been the biggest hurdle for me this year. I don't like doing things alone. I'm an extrovert and I love people. It's hard to do things on my own most of the time. However, this is one area God may be calling me to believe all by myself. So, my hope is that I can join Job in saying:

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So, I'm learning that I can leave fear and find more and more faith as I remember who He is and that He can do all things.

Until next time...Blessings and peace,

  April