Comments on: Faith in Hard Times http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/ Sun, 21 Mar 2010 04:54:44 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Nancy Ann http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-157376 Nancy Ann Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:22:30 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-157376 Yes, Jesus was tested in all points, so He must have been tempted to fear. He prayed in Gethsemane that the cup might pass from him. The only sins He would not have been tempted by were those that would presuppose other sins committed first. For example, He was not tempted to lie to cover up other sins, because He never committed any. Yes, Jesus was tested in all points, so He must have been tempted to fear. He prayed in Gethsemane that the cup might pass from him. The only sins He would not have been tempted by were those that would presuppose other sins committed first. For example, He was not tempted to lie to cover up other sins, because He never committed any.

]]> By: Becky http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-157173 Becky Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:23:23 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-157173 It says that Jesus was tempted in all points like we are; do you think that He was tempted to fear? If so, what do you think He was tempted to fear? It just makes me wonder...I remember the time that He turned to Peter and said, "Get thee behind me, Satan." Maybe He was refusing to have a conversation with fear, then. Thanks for the good thoughts. It says that Jesus was tempted in all points like we are; do you think that He was tempted to fear? If so, what do you think He was tempted to fear? It just makes me wonder…I remember the time that He turned to Peter and said, “Get thee behind me, Satan.” Maybe He was refusing to have a conversation with fear, then.

Thanks for the good thoughts.

]]> By: Grace http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-157171 Grace Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:18:16 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-157171 Kate, How I ache for your profound grief - we're too familiar with it (I've had 3 miscarriages and 2 stillborn boys). It's devastating in so many ways, Kate. And it's a real struggle to experience strong feelings associated with it that are contrary to the truth in Scripture - but trust Him as Job did: "Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him" (Job 13:15). The Gospel is true, and it is our only (and abundant) hope. The hymn "Be Still My Soul" has been a close companion, and I hope your daily, raw trust in His goodness will help you through the swelling pains, biting stings and swirling questions. May He hearten you as you love your babies and cling to His Word. Kate,

How I ache for your profound grief – we’re too familiar with it (I’ve had 3 miscarriages and 2 stillborn boys). It’s devastating in so many ways, Kate. And it’s a real struggle to experience strong feelings associated with it that are contrary to the truth in Scripture – but trust Him as Job did: “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him” (Job 13:15). The Gospel is true, and it is our only (and abundant) hope. The hymn “Be Still My Soul” has been a close companion, and I hope your daily, raw trust in His goodness will help you through the swelling pains, biting stings and swirling questions. May He hearten you as you love your babies and cling to His Word.

]]> By: Audrey http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-157084 Audrey Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:52:12 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-157084 Thank you for your words on fear! I often felt bad because Scripture and prayer would only rev up the 'fear conversation' in my head, especially as I was trying to fall asleep. You've hit the nail on the head - now when fear gets going, I lay out my 'dream floorplan' in my head. It feels a lot less holy, but it works like a charm! :) Thank you for your words on fear! I often felt bad because Scripture and prayer would only rev up the ‘fear conversation’ in my head, especially as I was trying to fall asleep. You’ve hit the nail on the head – now when fear gets going, I lay out my ‘dream floorplan’ in my head. It feels a lot less holy, but it works like a charm! :)

]]> By: Luma http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-157025 Luma Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:24:45 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-157025 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will NOT FEAR when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, and will NOT BE ANXIOUS in the year of drought, nor will CEASE from yielding fruit." Jeremiah 17:3 So not only is the godly man and woman not to fear or be anxious, but they are to continue to yield fruit. In thinking this through I see that it's not enough to just hunker down and say to myself, "I will not fear, I won't be anxious, it's okay, it's okay." No! God doesn't want us to just barely survive, He wants us to NOT CEASE from yielding fruit when "heat comes" or in the "year of drought." Blessed by our God and Father for we are "more than conquerors through Him who loved us." “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will NOT FEAR when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, and will NOT BE ANXIOUS in the year of drought, nor will CEASE from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:3

So not only is the godly man and woman not to fear or be anxious, but they are to continue to yield fruit. In thinking this through I see that it’s not enough to just hunker down and say to myself, “I will not fear, I won’t be anxious, it’s okay, it’s okay.” No! God doesn’t want us to just barely survive, He wants us to NOT CEASE from yielding fruit when “heat comes” or in the “year of drought.”

Blessed by our God and Father for we are “more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

]]> By: kelly orr http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-157010 kelly orr Mon, 12 Jan 2009 12:00:09 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-157010 Nancy, Thank you for these reassuring words - I have just been listening to your words on "The Pleasant Home" cds, so I can "hear" your voice as I read your words. God is good to give us women, like you, to whom He has given His wisdom. Thank you for blessing us by sharing it with us and encouraging us to pray for it ourselves. Kate, (((hug))) I'm so sorry. I will pray for your comfort and healing. I have miscarried 6 times - and although I've never had to endure burying my little ones - the pain of those losses was very great. My heart aches for you - May the Lord bless and keep you. Nancy,
Thank you for these reassuring words – I have just been listening to your words on “The Pleasant Home” cds, so I can “hear” your voice as I read your words. God is good to give us women, like you, to whom He has given His wisdom. Thank you for blessing us by sharing it with us and encouraging us to pray for it ourselves.

Kate,
(((hug))) I’m so sorry. I will pray for your comfort and healing. I have miscarried 6 times – and although I’ve never had to endure burying my little ones – the pain of those losses was very great. My heart aches for you – May the Lord bless and keep you.

]]> By: Luma http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-156942 Luma Mon, 12 Jan 2009 04:38:20 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-156942 "Look to Christ. Keep your eyes on Him. He began this good work in you, and He will graciously see it to the finish." I just read this again. I will go to sleep thinking of this. Thank you for your spiritual mothering. :-) “Look to Christ. Keep your eyes on Him. He began this good work in you, and He will graciously see it to the finish.” I just read this again. I will go to sleep thinking of this. Thank you for your spiritual mothering. :-)

]]> By: Luma http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-156941 Luma Mon, 12 Jan 2009 04:35:55 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-156941 I love that the Holy Spirit knows all things. Thank you, Nancy and Kendra for discussing fear. Gee, I wonder how it was that I got on the computer to read your blog and what do I see? The very thing I am struggling with. Fear is deep, deeper than we realize. We also have many masks for it. It's actually great when it's in front of my face and I'm aware of it. Because then it's just "oh, okay I'm being fearful over this or that." However, the worst is when you're distracted by what you think is a sin or a mistake or a situation or a sickness, you name it, etc. etc. and then by God's grace someone tells you or He opens your eyes and you see that you are partaking of fear, heavily. Tired now, must go but I will be thinking a lot about what you wrote. I love that the Holy Spirit knows all things. Thank you, Nancy and Kendra for discussing fear. Gee, I wonder how it was that I got on the computer to read your blog and what do I see? The very thing I am struggling with.

Fear is deep, deeper than we realize. We also have many masks for it. It’s actually great when it’s in front of my face and I’m aware of it. Because then it’s just “oh, okay I’m being fearful over this or that.” However, the worst is when you’re distracted by what you think is a sin or a mistake or a situation or a sickness, you name it, etc. etc. and then by God’s grace someone tells you or He opens your eyes and you see that you are partaking of fear, heavily.

Tired now, must go but I will be thinking a lot about what you wrote.

]]> By: Kendra http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-156898 Kendra Mon, 12 Jan 2009 01:26:56 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-156898 Nancy- Thank you for taking the time to write about fear. Engaging in conversation with fear is exactly what I have been doing- again, how did you know??? :) I'll be reminding myself of your words whenever that fear rears its ugly head this week. I seem to be doing better, perking up, and then someone who means well will ask me about the situation and I spiral down into the grip of fear once again. I rehash, meditate, and converse when I should be walking away from the conversation altogether. ~Kendra Nancy-

Thank you for taking the time to write about fear. Engaging in conversation with fear is exactly what I have been doing- again, how did you know??? :)

I’ll be reminding myself of your words whenever that fear rears its ugly head this week. I seem to be doing better, perking up, and then someone who means well will ask me about the situation and I spiral down into the grip of fear once again. I rehash, meditate, and converse when I should be walking away from the conversation altogether.

~Kendra

]]> By: Nancy Ann http://www.feminagirls.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-156877 Nancy Ann Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:29:53 +0000 http://femina.reformedblogs.com/2009/01/10/faith-in-hard-times/#comment-156877 Kendra, Just a thought about fear for you. Maybe it will help. One of the ways fear gets a grip on us is when we try to fight it by engaging in conversation with it, when actually the best way to deal with fear is to simply ignore it. It can seem to us that we should fight it by talking ourselves out of it via Scripture passages and prayer. But once you get in a conversation with your fears, even if you are laying out Scriptures to yourself, it can be likened to a fight with a tarbaby. And that in itself is often the goal of the temptation. But ignoring it requires self-discipline and grace (obviously). I liken it to fear pounding on the door, but you don't have to let it in (1 Peter 3:6). This is all in the context of submission to God. Do not let fear get a foothold by discussing it with yourself. Change the subject. Plan your vacation or your garden or your menu. Pray for your neighbors instead of your fears. Hope that helps. Blessings to you, Nancy Kendra,
Just a thought about fear for you. Maybe it will help.
One of the ways fear gets a grip on us is when we try to fight it by engaging in conversation with it, when actually the best way to deal with fear is to simply ignore it. It can seem to us that we should fight it by talking ourselves out of it via Scripture passages and prayer. But once you get in a conversation with your fears, even if you are laying out Scriptures to yourself, it can be likened to a fight with a tarbaby. And that in itself is often the goal of the temptation. But ignoring it requires self-discipline and grace (obviously). I liken it to fear pounding on the door, but you don’t have to let it in (1 Peter 3:6). This is all in the context of submission to God. Do not let fear get a foothold by discussing it with yourself. Change the subject. Plan your vacation or your garden or your menu. Pray for your neighbors instead of your fears. Hope that helps.
Blessings to you,
Nancy

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