I’m happy to welcome author Kelly Balarie to the blog. Kelly is sharing an important lesson from her new book Fear Fighting: Awakening Courage to Overcome Your Fears. Welcome, Kelly!
God told me to pray with all my heart. So, I did. I don’t think they liked it very much.
I think they had thoughts about it. Opinions. Perspectives. Perceptions.
Ouch!
What do you do when God prompts your heart, but man judges it? They may not say it. They may not whisper it. They may not even admit it, but somehow you know, under the cover of their Christian guise it brews. What do you do with that?
This is what I’ve been considering. Do I take care of man or do I take care to follow God’s lead?
Tweet ThisThere’s risk, big risk, in following God. Moving outside norms, beyond bounds or having an air of “different” can feel like a punishment waiting to happen. It can feel like you’re letting people down. It can feel like their charge over you marks you condemned.
Even more, the fear of being judged, ostracized or talked about behind your back – is real. It is really real. Even worse, in some cases, it is likely to happen. Add that to the enemy, who spits out ugly words, like: “Bad child, you are messing things up and stirring up problems,” and, at this point, you can be thrown into the sea of doubt, in a split-second.
Still, I want to do what is right by God, don’t you? I want to live for Him – first. I want to answer to Him – above all. I want to be like Christ – in every way.
God knows, I want to be brave. I think he sees my heart. So, like a gracious father, He leads me, his child, to truth; He brings me to these words:
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Gal. 1:10 (NIV)
I can either win the approval of man. It’s fleeting and tiring.
Or, I can win the approval of God. It’s enduring and up building.
I can either please people. It’s short-lived and peace-depleting.
Or, I can serve Christ. It’s long-lasting and peace-giving.
What man gives today, is gone tomorrow. What you put in to satiating him, is eaten up by his desires for more – the next day. However, the will of God, does not waver. It does not grow old. It does not change course. It has a destination. There, lives joy, His glory and grand purpose.
Will we push into it? We can’t do it if we are sitting on man’s lap and eating up the delight of his face of approval. Jesus didn’t get a face of approval on the cross. His on-fire pursuit of doing God’s will appeared nuts to man. It appeared worthy of their highest condemnation.
Still, Jesus didn’t change course. He stood fast to his belief in what his Father had called him to. He walked the road assigned to him, anyway.
What road do you need to walk anyway? What person’s demands do you need to release? What calling of love do you need to pursue?
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:26 (NIV)
About the book, Fear Fighting, Awakening the Courage to Overcome Your Fears:
Author and Speaker, Kelly Balarie didn’t always fight fear – for a large part of her life, she was controlled by it. Yet, in her book, Fear Fighting: Awakening Courage to Overcome Your Fears, with God, Kelly charts a new course. Join Kelly, on the journey to go and grow with Christ’s bravery, the Spirit’s counsel and God’s unending love that squelches fear. This book reads like a love letter from God, while offering practical heart-calming prayers, anxiety-reducing tips, and courage-building decrees that will transform your day.
About Kelly Balarie:
Kelly is both a Cheerleader of Faith and a Fighter of Fear. She leans on the power of God, rests on the shoulder of Christ, and discovers how to glow in the dark places of life. Get all Kelly’s blog posts by email or visit her on her blog, Purposeful Faith. You can also find a variety of resources for your fight against fear at http://www.fearfightingbook.com/.
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Linking up with Holly Barrett at #TestimonyTuesday
Wonderful post! People pleasing is crippling just like fear, and you can’t please all the people all the time, but you can God if your faithful.
Hello from your neighbor at Testimony Tuesday. I’m in the blogging contest too, and I’m praying for God’s will to be revealed for the top five. Hoping we’re in it together!
Also, if you are looking for a new read in the new year, please consider downloading my book for free through end of day today, Jan. 10. See my latest blog post for more info. I would love your feedback on Newness of Life!
What a powerful application of the truth from Kelly’s book (and from the heart of God)!
What a powerful, life-giving message. I especially love this: “God knows, I want to be brave. I think he sees my heart. So, like a gracious father, He leads me, his child, to truth” Thank you, Kelly. And thank you, Rachel, for sharing these words. Blessings to you both!