Thrive, Don't Simply Survive

This week we went to the arboretum in Dallas for a concert and saw breath-taking displays of color! The Dallas Arboretum has the wonderful privilege of hosting an exhibit by the world famous artist Dale Chihuly. He has created and delicately placed his beautiful and colorful glass works of art in and amongst the flowers and plants in the gardens. It is a wonderful sight to behold, especially at night when the glass is lit in such a way that it seems to glow.

As I looked at Chihuly’s unique and original style, I couldn’t help but reflect on the fact that God has created us and designed us each with unique and different gifts and talents. What makes this world beautiful and colorful is the diverse gifts and talents we have.  Let us celebrate the beauty God has given each of us and how we each have various functions and purposes in the world. We don’t need to try to be like everyone else. Let us be thankful for the uniqueness of each individual.

Just as the Chihuly exhibit is a celebration of style and color, so let us celebrate the different gifts and talents God has given us to use for His glory. Let your light shine brightly in this world, so that others are drawn to our wonderful and glorious Lord.

            God is in the courage-giving business. Throughout the Bible we hear the call again and again, “Fear not, fear not for I am with you.” God’s message is one of faith and courage, not fear and trembling. From Abraham, to Joshua, to the Mary to the shepherds in the field, God has been proclaiming to the generations, “Do not be afraid.” In the Psalms we are reminded, “Even when I walk through the darkest valleys, I will not be afraid for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” There is great comfort in recognizing God is close beside us.

In the writing world, many people I meet who would love to have a published book one day, have never sent their book to a publisher. Why? Fear of rejection. Fear of someone not liking their work. This fear keeps them locked in a box and trapped in never living out their dreams. Fears can rattle our thinking and take over our lives if we allow them to. What are you afraid of? Is it fear that something may happen in the future? Are you overly concerned about a job you must do or a test you must take. Perhaps you are afraid of something may happen to you physically or financially or in a relationship. As followers of Christ, we have a place we can take our fears. The invitation is open. God invites us to cast our cares and concerns on Him.

The God of peace wants to give us peace as we face our worries and fears.  Our everlasting Father, God almighty, is able to release the grip that fear can have on our lives. He will never leave us, and He has a plan that is bigger than what we can see. He can protect our reputations. He can use our mistakes. He will walk with us through difficulties. He redeems our lives from the pit. We must take our eyes off of what is worrying us, and turn them instead to the faithfulness of the Lord. 

For me personally I have found that praising God in the midst of my fears can transfer my focus from dread to delight – delighting in the Lord. I learned this life lesson from the apostle Paul who praised and prayed in the middle of the deepest darkest dungeon. When I choose to focus on the greatness and goodness of God, it helps me through the storms and reminds me that I am in good hands. He who is able to calm the storms of the sea, can bring calm to my anxious heart as well. Praising the Lord strengthens our faith and turns our thinking toward the greatness of God rather than the seemingly bigness of our problems.

Facing your fears can be the very catalyst that moves you forward in in your career or in your relationships. As we learn to walk forward without the shackles of worry and fear, we can step into new territory and grow in confidence and strength. Fears may pop into our heads now and then, but we don’t need to allow them to get the best of us. We can change our focus and look upward. It’s tempting to take our fears to people first instead of the Lord. Who do you lean on for help? Do you lean on others, or even your own abilities and strengths, or do you lean on the Lord God Almighty (El-Shaddai).  He is mighty to save!

            God is in the courage-giving business. Throughout the Bible we hear the call again and again, “Fear not, fear not for I am with you.” God’s message is one of faith and courage, not fear and trembling. From Abraham, to Joshua, to the Mary to the shepherds in the field, God has been proclaiming to the generations, “Do not be afraid.” In the Psalms we are reminded, “Even when I walk through the darkest valleys, I will not be afraid for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” There is great comfort in recognizing God is close beside us.

In the writing world, many people I meet who would love to have a published book one day, have never sent their book to a publisher. Why? Fear of rejection. Fear of someone not liking their work. This fear keeps them locked in a box and trapped in never living out their dreams. Fears can rattle our thinking and take over our lives if we allow them to. What are you afraid of? Is it fear that something may happen in the future? Are you overly concerned about a job you must do or a test you must take. Perhaps you are afraid of something may happen to you physically or financially or in a relationship. As followers of Christ, we have a place we can take our fears. The invitation is open. God invites us to cast our cares and concerns on Him.

The God of peace wants to give us peace as we face our worries and fears.  Our everlasting Father, God almighty, is able to release the grip that fear can have on our lives. He will never leave us, and He has a plan that is bigger than what we can see. He can protect our reputations. He can use our mistakes. He will walk with us through difficulties. He redeems our lives from the pit. We must take our eyes off of what is worrying us, and turn them instead to the faithfulness of the Lord. 

For me personally I have found that praising God in the midst of my fears can transfer my focus from dread to delight – delighting in the Lord. I learned this life lesson from the apostle Paul who praised and prayed in the middle of the deepest darkest dungeon. When I choose to focus on the greatness and goodness of God, it helps me through the storms and reminds me that I am in good hands. He who is able to calm the storms of the sea, can bring calm to my anxious heart as well. Praising the Lord strengthens our faith and turns our thinking toward the greatness of God rather than the seemingly bigness of our problems.

Facing your fears can be the very catalyst that moves you forward in in your career or in your relationships. As we learn to walk forward without the shackles of worry and fear, we can step into new territory and grow in confidence and strength. Fears may pop into our heads now and then, but we don’t need to allow them to get the best of us. We can change our focus and look upward. It’s tempting to take our fears to people first instead of the Lord. Who do you lean on for help? Do you lean on others, or even your own abilities and strengths, or do you lean on the Lord God Almighty (El-Shaddai).  He is mighty to save!

            God is in the courage-giving business. Throughout the Bible we hear the call again and again, “Fear not, fear not for I am with you.” God’s message is one of faith and courage, not fear and trembling. From Abraham, to Joshua, to the Mary to the shepherds in the field, God has been proclaiming to the generations, “Do not be afraid.” In the Psalms we are reminded, “Even when I walk through the darkest valleys, I will not be afraid for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” There is great comfort in recognizing God is close beside us.

In the writing world, many people I meet who would love to have a published book one day, have never sent their book to a publisher. Why? Fear of rejection. Fear of someone not liking their work. This fear keeps them locked in a box and trapped in never living out their dreams. Fears can rattle our thinking and take over our lives if we allow them to. What are you afraid of? Is it fear that something may happen in the future? Are you overly concerned about a job you must do or a test you must take. Perhaps you are afraid of something may happen to you physically or financially or in a relationship. As followers of Christ, we have a place we can take our fears. The invitation is open. God invites us to cast our cares and concerns on Him.

The God of peace wants to give us peace as we face our worries and fears.  Our everlasting Father, God almighty, is able to release the grip that fear can have on our lives. He will never leave us, and He has a plan that is bigger than what we can see. He can protect our reputations. He can use our mistakes. He will walk with us through difficulties. He redeems our lives from the pit. We must take our eyes off of what is worrying us, and turn them instead to the faithfulness of the Lord. 

For me personally I have found that praising God in the midst of my fears can transfer my focus from dread to delight – delighting in the Lord. I learned this life lesson from the apostle Paul who praised and prayed in the middle of the deepest darkest dungeon. When I choose to focus on the greatness and goodness of God, it helps me through the storms and reminds me that I am in good hands. He who is able to calm the storms of the sea, can bring calm to my anxious heart as well. Praising the Lord strengthens our faith and turns our thinking toward the greatness of God rather than the seemingly bigness of our problems.

Facing your fears can be the very catalyst that moves you forward in in your career or in your relationships. As we learn to walk forward without the shackles of worry and fear, we can step into new territory and grow in confidence and strength. Fears may pop into our heads now and then, but we don’t need to allow them to get the best of us. We can change our focus and look upward. It’s tempting to take our fears to people first instead of the Lord. Who do you lean on for help? Do you lean on others, or even your own abilities and strengths, or do you lean on the Lord God Almighty (El-Shaddai).  He is mighty to save!

            God is in the courage-giving business. Throughout the Bible we hear the call again and again, “Fear not, fear not for I am with you.” God’s message is one of faith and courage, not fear and trembling. From Abraham, to Joshua, to the Mary to the shepherds in the field, God has been proclaiming to the generations, “Do not be afraid.” In the Psalms we are reminded, “Even when I walk through the darkest valleys, I will not be afraid for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” There is great comfort in recognizing God is close beside us.

In the writing world, many people I meet who would love to have a published book one day, have never sent their book to a publisher. Why? Fear of rejection. Fear of someone not liking their work. This fear keeps them locked in a box and trapped in never living out their dreams. Fears can rattle our thinking and take over our lives if we allow them to. What are you afraid of? Is it fear that something may happen in the future? Are you overly concerned about a job you must do or a test you must take. Perhaps you are afraid of something may happen to you physically or financially or in a relationship. As followers of Christ, we have a place we can take our fears. The invitation is open. God invites us to cast our cares and concerns on Him.

The God of peace wants to give us peace as we face our worries and fears.  Our everlasting Father, God almighty, is able to release the grip that fear can have on our lives. He will never leave us, and He has a plan that is bigger than what we can see. He can protect our reputations. He can use our mistakes. He will walk with us through difficulties. He redeems our lives from the pit. We must take our eyes off of what is worrying us, and turn them instead to the faithfulness of the Lord. 

For me personally I have found that praising God in the midst of my fears can transfer my focus from dread to delight – delighting in the Lord. I learned this life lesson from the apostle Paul who praised and prayed in the middle of the deepest darkest dungeon. When I choose to focus on the greatness and goodness of God, it helps me through the storms and reminds me that I am in good hands. He who is able to calm the storms of the sea, can bring calm to my anxious heart as well. Praising the Lord strengthens our faith and turns our thinking toward the greatness of God rather than the seemingly bigness of our problems.

Facing your fears can be the very catalyst that moves you forward in in your career or in your relationships. As we learn to walk forward without the shackles of worry and fear, we can step into new territory and grow in confidence and strength. Fears may pop into our heads now and then, but we don’t need to allow them to get the best of us. We can change our focus and look upward. It’s tempting to take our fears to people first instead of the Lord. Who do you lean on for help? Do you lean on others, or even your own abilities and strengths, or do you lean on the Lord God Almighty (El-Shaddai).  He is mighty to save!