Breathe in the Atmosphere

Covidly Content

Week Thirty-Two - F.E.A.R.

I’ll admit I coast Facebook more than I did before this pandemic.  My favorite thing is seeing funny posts that brighten my day.  I avoid the political ones, the negative whining ones, and those that try to draw discussion.  I just want to be entertained!  But sometimes, a post catches my attention and makes me think.  Like this one:

 

  “FEAR has two meanings.  Forget everything and run or face everything and rise.”  

That simple post got me thinking and comparing.

 

   Elijah forgot everything and ran when Jezebel threatened.

   The three Hebrew Children faced the fiery furnace and came out unscathed.

 

   King Saul forgot everything and sacrificed instead of waiting for Samuel.

   King David faced the giant and brought him down.

 

   Joseph’s brothers forgot everything – their family responsibility.

   Joseph faced his brothers and showed mercy.

 

I’m sure there could be more, but the point is clear.  Facing our fears has a better outcome than running from them.  When we run, we forget God’s promise.  By our action, we say we are inadequate to the task.  And truly we are, but we are forgetting the power of God within us that counters every fear.

   With all the fear associated with this pandemic, it is tempting to wish it would all go away or dream of escaping to the beach or mountains, but that is not the way to face fear.  Escaping only delays the inevitable.  And, I think of those who cannot escape—the doctors, nurses, and caregivers.  They are facing fear head-on, while we stay isolated in our homes.  I’m so thankful for these people who are not running!

   So how can I face this fear when I am not in the place of responsibility?  I thought of four ways.

1.     We can hold the frontline workers up in prayer.  We face fear through prayer.

2.     We can speak calmly to those around us.  We face fear by exhibiting courage.

3.     We can volunteer where possible.  We face fear by positive action.

4.     We can keep our heads!  We face fear by self-control.

 

  We must remember that we are not the first people in history to face challenging times.  The Greatest Generation, and others before them, who faced their life challenges with courage and dignity saw a rise or a blessing after their conflicts. 

   Our conflict will pass.  How we come out on the other side greatly depends on how we face the challenge before us.  Will we run?  Or will we rise?

  

Welcome to My Castle

Blueprints and Diamonds

Week Thirty-One - Math is Logic

Of all the classes I disliked, math was at the top of my list. Oh, I could do it, but I never enjoyed it. As a matter of fact, when I was a freshman in High School, the State of Missouri started a trial in school curriculum. High School students were only required to take math and science in their first year. It was voluntary for the remaining three years. So, guess who never took another math or science class after their freshman year? Yes! Me!

 

My youngest daughter, however, loves math. She is a managing accountant for a large charity and keeps books to the last penny. I’m still happy to round things off!

 

But when it comes to looking for things we can count on, God comes top of the list! We talked about making deliberate calculations last week, the “I Wills” of scripture. Today, I want to show you why we can have such confidence.

 

It is because God is a deliberate calculator. He is total logic. His promises make perfect mathematical sense—in His calculations! To do math well, you learn how to calculate. Right? To add, subtract, divide, and multiply gives starting points for more difficult summations.

 

Let’s see if I can explain this with my limited ability!

 

When I face C, I know that A+B is greater than C.

 

When I face temptation (C), I calculate (A) 1 Corinthians 10:13 and (B) Philippians 4:13 are greater than my temptation.

 

(A)  God says, in 1 Corinthians 10:13, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

(B)  I rest my faith in Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

(C)  Has no place to go! With the Lord’s promise to help me escape temptation, and the strength I am given through Christ, temptation is out-numbered.

 

When I face afflictions, I add Psalm 34:19 and 34:4 together and they become greater than C – my affliction.

 

(A)  God says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19

(B)  My response? “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

(C)  Afflictions are temporary. When I lay them before the Lord, though they be many, I will be delivered from each one in the Lord’s time.

 

A = the promise of God.

B = my response by faith to His promise.

C = my challenging circumstance.

 

Here’s what I’ve found. There is a promise of God for virtually every situation I face. And, there is a biblical response of faith on my part that activates the promise of God to my life.

 

I can know that 2+2=4, but if I decide I don’t like that outcome or pass it off as inconsequential, I am left powerless to resolve the sum. It is similar with God. I can know His promise, maybe even repeat it, but if I don’t want God’s intended outcome, or don’t have faith in the power of God’s promise, I will be left at zero—without strength.

 

We must do the math. God’s promise plus my obedience by faith equals the desired outcome. The “I Will” of God overrides whatever I face or experience.

 

 

Have a look at these promises – the “A” of the situation. God says:

 

I will be with you. (Isaiah 43:2)

I will protect you. (Psalm 121:7)

I will be your strength. (Psalm 18:2)

I will answer you. (Psalm 91:15)

I will provide for you. (Philippians 4:19)

I will give you peace. (John 14:27)

I will always love you. (1 John 4:16, 19)

 

What is my part – the “B” of the equation?

 

I will live in your presence. (Psalm 16:11)

I will trust in you. (Psalm 56:3)

I will draw strength from you. (Ephesians 6:10-11)

I will ask, seek, and knock. (Matthew 7:7)

I will let you be my portion. (Lamentations 3:24)

I will rest in you. (Psalm 37:7-9)

I will love you with all my heart, soul, and mind. (Luke 10:27)

 

So, are you doing logical math with God, relying on His promise, obeying by faith? Or are your calculations off?

 

Futurizing