Stewart's Surgery

Today, as I'm sitting in the waiting room of Regional One Outpatient Center, I think back at how quickly things have changed in my life. You never know what God has in store for you. Stewart went from never having injuries or surgeries to constant, religious visits to Regional One Medical Center. We've had to adjust to the dressing changes, multiple medications, garment fittings, laser surgeries, and much more. My "not-so-medically-educated" family has become pros with burn patient recovery. God has blessed us with such an amazing team of doctors and nurses, who Stewart has befriended and looks forward to seeing with every visit. 
This morning before getting her IV I asked if she wanted to hold my hand before they stuck the needle in. All the nurses kinda gave me a weird look and Stewart laughed and said, "Sissy you know I've done this a time or two..." 
I'm so proud of how far she's come and her positive attitude about the long road she has ahead of her. I know God is preparing my sister for something great. She's going to use her accident to minister to the lost and broken, and even now I see how The Lord is placing people in her life to allow her to do so. 
Stewart just came out of surgery-  Dr. Hickerson said everything went great! She is still very tired and currently in recovery with her favorite team of nurses. 
Thank you to everyone who has prayed for us and will continue to do so! 
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Difficulty

God does not tell us that life will always be easy. We will face difficult situations but we have Him to help us through them. In John 16:33 it says,"I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” In that verse we are reminded of who really is in charge. 

God is always making a way for us to do His will in the world. But so many times there are obstacles that get in the way from us fulfilling his purpose. For instance, you want to volunteer for some organization but your schedule tells you that you’re too busy. You want to lead a bible study but you’re too afraid to speak aloud in a group setting. You convince yourself over and over that things are too difficult to do at this time. 

Difficulty is the barrier that is stopping you from doing God’s will. Difficulty loves to remind you about the potential hurdles and burdens that will affect your life. Difficulty has been around since Moses. When he led the children out of Israel difficulty was present the entire time. And Difficulty doesn’t leave when things are over either. Difficulty lurks and hangs around-- he was there in the desert when there was no food, no water, and no clear path to the Promised Land. Just think if the Israelites had turned around and gone back to Egypt, they might still be slaves and building the enemy’s kingdom. Don’t let Difficulty keep you from going out and going where God wants you to go.  

God made a way for the children of Israel again and again for more than 40 years. When they got to the Promised Land, God had Moses send out 12 scouts to go and see what was ahead. He did not ask his scouts if they could posses the land (God already told them they were getting it), he asked them to consider how to go. They came back, not understanding their directions, and reporting that all they could see were obstacles and giants and that it was going to be impossible. However two of the scouts did what they were told. They had kept their eyes on God and not just what was right in front of them. Rather than seeing all of the impossibles, they saw what was possible. They knew the miracles God worked to get the children of Israel out of Egypt so certainly He could get them into the Promised Land. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Whenever Difficulty is bullying us, we must remind ourselves that we are well able. Psalm 18:29 says, “For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall.” 

We need to get our eyes off of Difficulty, and onto God, who promises us nothing is too difficult for Him. 

Fear

Everyone fears something. 
I myself am a very fearful person. I fear tight spaces, heights, cats, someone kidnapping me... the list goes on. Of course there are some healthy, rational fears like walking across a high tightrope or bungee jumping off a building but I’ve come to realize that fear can cause you to miss out on so much in life. When your fears become the forefront of your life, they consume you. You start living your life saying “what if this..” and “what if that..” happens. When fear runs your life, you could miss out on an opportunity that God is calling you to do. 

God tells us 350 times in the Bible to “fear not!” He puts us in situations to confront a fear and take a risk. 

• He stands by our side before, during, and after. 
• Psalm 27:1 says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
• He tells us He will never leave us.
• Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
• He tells us to not be discouraged. 
• Isaiah 41:10 says, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

I know many people are getting ready to go off to college for the first time or are just graduating college and looking for a job. This is definitely a time where you can choose:: either to let fear rule your life or to allow God’s inevitable power to free you from your fears and direct you in the path He has paved specifically for you. 

God knows that fear will not get us through danger. However, love can. When you have the will to persevere even in the face of fear, it can show unbelievers the faith and trust you have in Jesus.
2 Timothy 1:7 says, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” If we love truly Jesus, we are supposed to keep our eyes on Him and believe in what He has created for us.”

So starting today, let Jesus take you out of the places in your life that bind you to fear, and you will begin noticing opportunities in your life that will cause you to focus on Him and fear not.