"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear;
but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
There are many occurrences in our current world events which, understandably, can cause fear. By faith alone my husband and I have attempted to teach our children to walk by faith and fear not. Our heart is to live the life of faith in front of them.
But I can admit, that I've feared.
Me, the momma of all these babies, the survivor of trauma such as my father's suicide when I was home alone with him at age-13, and the maker of my own messes too vast to count; haven't I seen the Lord restore broken pieces, provide, and protect? Yet, the News reports, or government rumors of programs and plans, or storms invading and impending, or a baby's cough in the middle of the night... those can cause this human girl to feel fear.
And my older babies have felt it, but I don't want them too.
They ask huge hard questions like...
What if America tries to impose the one child rule like China?
What if Homeschooling becomes illegal?
How will I know who my wife will be?
How do I know that I've really accepted Jesus in my heart?
And I burst. Their humanity wrapped up in childhood flesh wrestling with what if's already.
I try hard to live it in front of them. Show them how to take the big-faith-steps in big-God-boots. Tugging one foot from uncertainty and stepping onto the solid Rock.
This is my common faith talk to my family - leading them in faith, by faith. Yes, I talk it when I'm by myself too.
Fear is Not From God: The enemy can fling fear at us, but those feelings don't have to be ours. Just like any thought that comes into our mind is not necessarily from the Lord, we can take fearful thoughts captive and replace them with faith thoughts. I place scripture around my home in high traffic areas where I know that I will see them. I "chew" on these powerful faith-filled words throughout the day.
"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;"
2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV
For Such A Time As This: These are the days in which the Lord put us here. This is our lot, and the lot of our children. I've had times when I've lamented, “Lord, why couldn't I have lived when you were on the earth,” or “Oh, how I wish I could have settled the frontier land with my family.” Nonetheless, this is it. Each generation has had burdens to bear, along with great joy and uniqueness. Whatever we face in these days the Lord put us here - right now - for such a time as this.
Christians Who Have Gone Before Us: We annually read the book Jesus Freaks by Voice of the Martyrs. Our goal is to read one martyr story per day. However, we have days where all we read for our precious read aloud times are martyr stories. We devour them. It stirs our faith. I see a passion for the Lord and a thirsty zeal for the Gospel in the eyes of my children. These stories are not child's play. They're real, graphic, and full of a hunger to live for Jesus no matter the cost.
Determined Purpose: My heart cries out to live this life well.
Philippians 3:10-11
Amplified Bible (AMP)
10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [[a]which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] 11 That if possible I may attain to the [[b]spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].
Trust the One Who Knows: Whatever comes our way we have to lead our family in faith and trust the One who knows. Whatever the Lord has called us to walk through, as individuals, a family, or nation - we have to trust Jesus, and that our steps are ordered by Him.
These are some of the ways that I stir up my faith and that of my family. How do you lead your family in faith and not fear?
Blessings,
Jamerrill
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