I’m beginning to get comments and reviews on my new book, An Untroubled Heart. I can’t tell what an encouragement it is to read how God is using my words to minister to you. Then, again, why should I be surprised. He’s the real communicator who reachs out calming every anxious heart.
Here are some of what others are saying…
Janet shared, “Micca, I saw you back in Feb speak at Pursue the Passion @ Covenant. I recently began your book over my Easter vacation (I teach and I’m a mom so…finding free time to read is rare!)….I am LOVING it. It is a GREAT book and I am recommending it to the ladies in my bible study! Fabulous…I am just highlighting away in it!”
Carol wrote: Just finished your chapter on Family Matters. I’m with Lelia’s group Yes to God. I loved it. It gave me so much encouragement. I even read the section on your daughter and her bff to my daughter, (she’s 9) and she is so glad they are friends again. Plus we are going to go through Philippians 4:8 in detail to help her understand the verse in 9 year old terms.”
Shari said, “Micca, started reading your book on the plane to Los Angeles and was laughing and crying out loud…your stories are hilarious and I can just hear you saying those things, too! Funny!!!!! People were looking at me strangely!”
Thank you for the privilege of allowing me to share my journey with you. It is my greatest desire and prayers that through the pages of my book, you’ll find freedom fear too.
Tonight, I spoke live on the radio sharing with many some practical tips for overcoming fear: I’d like to share a few with you also.
1. Get Rid of Mistaken Thinking: When troubles hit our lives, misconceptions about God are often revealed. God doesn’t always cause the trouble, but He allows it so that we can come to really know Him as He is. Instead of looking at your situation as a frightening “set-back,” look at it as a “cut-back.” God is often cutting away our falsehoods so that truth can grow in its place.
I recall when my daughter was young and I was cutting back the rosebushes for the winter. Peyton loves flowers. She always has. When she saw me cutting back the rosebush, she was horrified. “Mom! Why did you kill it?” she questioned.
I explained to my sweet girl that I wasn’t killing the bush although it appeared like I was. Instead, I was cutting it back so that in the spring new roses would bud and grow bigger than before.
Likewise, when God uses troubles to cut away our misconceptions, there’s no need to fear. Although it may feel like we’re going to die, God is really making room for new growth—bigger and brighter than we’ve ever experienced before.
2. Be Strong and Courageous: Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage withstands fear. God told Joshua, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified.” Courage is being strong enough to push through our fear causing terror to flee.
God doesn’t want us to live life in a bubble. He wants us to live life to the fullest; to take risk; and be passionate about life. Still, fear is a powerful emotion. It can keep us up at night and shut us down during the day. Doubt can rob our faith and before we know it, we’re living life inside of a bubble. I’d rather walk on water.
Remember Peter? He walked on walk with Christ! I’ve often wondered about the other 11 who stayed in the boat. They missed an amazing opportunity to walk on water with Christ. Did they live with regrets having missed the chance? I don’t know, but I imagine doubt is what kept them in the boat. I can even hear them shouting doubt into the heart and mind of Peter as he threw on leg over the side of the boat.
“Hey, dude! What are you doing? Are you crazy? You can’t walk on water!”
Yet, while they were saying such things Peter was already doing it. He was walking on water!
Is someone putting doubt in your mind over something you may be already doing? Don’t listen. Don’t even look back. Keep looking forward and before you know it—you’ll be walking on water!
Go ahead and push through your fears. Dare to dream your God-given dreams; take risks and live passionately. For this is the way faith lives that is stronger than all our fear.
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