Have you ever struggled to receive something from God? Maybe you read in the Bible that God desires to heal the sick, or provide for material needs, or bring restoration to broken relationships. You’ve seen His promises clearly in His Word, but sometimes you feel like you’re standing just outside the door…never quite able to fully enter into all He has for you.
I’ve felt that way before too. Convinced that the Lord had His arms stretched out to me, gift in hand, but I was unable to grasp it for one reason or another. Whether it’s a feeling of unworthiness hanging over my head like a dark cloud, or a superficial understanding of Scripture (and me unwilling to dig deeper and seek God with passion and direction), the failure to receive from God has been an issue for me from time to time.
But I experienced a significant breakthrough in this area when I studied the word “receive” in Scripture to find out exactly what it meant. I’ll share my discoveries with you:
John 20:22 “And with that He [Jesus] breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.’”
The word “receive” in that particular Scripture comes from the Greek word “iambano”. It means; to take in, to get hold of, to have offered to one, to seize or remove, accept, be amazed, attain, catch, have, hold.
Honestly, it seems so simple. When I read that definition I was left with a picture of myself simply taking a gift from God’s hand. Just reaching out in faith and taking hold of what He wanted to give me. “Catching it”, so to speak….
Isn’t it wonderful that one of the words used to define “receive” is, “be amazed”. How perfect! This is exactly what it felt like when I received healing from Lyme disease eleven years ago. Exactly what it felt like when I received my long-awaited baby girl sixteen years ago. Exactly how it felt the times I’ve received financial provision from God over the years.
“Be amazed” is exactly how it feels to receive from God!
I also really love that many of the words used to describe “receive” are action words. For example: Take. Seize. Accept. Catch. Hold. The lesson for us in this word study is that a) God expects us to do our part, and b) Our part isn’t too awfully difficult. I mean, come on, anyone can “catch” or “hold” or “accept” a gift from God, right? Just like a child doesn’t struggle to accept a gift on Christmas morning—we don’t need to struggle to accept a gift from God. The child doesn’t torment himself with thoughts of unworthiness when he sees the gift under the tree. No, he giggles with the thrill of it, and tears into the present with anticipation and gratefulness.
The other Scripture I studied in relation to the word “receive” was Acts 9:10-12 “Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ And he said, ‘Here I am, Lord.’ So the Lord said to him, ‘Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.’”
The word “receive” in that Scripture comes from the Greek word “anaplebo”. It means; to look up, to recover sight, to cause to arise, make rise, spring up, to look at, behold, perceive.
Do you need fresh vision? As much as you desire this, God longs to give it to you. Just receive. Look up. Arise. Spring up with faith and perceive that He comes to you now to open your eyes, to fill you with His Spirit, and to reawaken you to His love, His purposes, and His promises.
Receiving from God is not as mysterious and unattainable as it may seem. The secret often lies in us becoming more uncomplicated and childlike…. more trusting and simple and needy. Although we often hear the saying that “God helps those who help themselves”— God’s word proclaims that “God helps those who cannot help themselves.” So come to Him with arms wide open, heart expectant, looking up, ready to receive (catch, hold, and seize) all that He has for you.
Paula Friedrichsen is a member of Church on the Mountain, a vibrant community of believers in Crowley Lake. We meet at 9:30 Sunday mornings. Call for more information: 935-4272 or www.ChurchOnTheMountain.org
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Real Joy by Paula Friedrichsen
While I was at the beauty shop a few months back I picked up a one of those cheesy Hollywood magazines to pass the time. Did you know that Cameron Diaz works out one and a half hours every day! The article was accompanied by an expansive layout of pictures showing Cameron coming out of an L.A. fitness center looking cute, tanned, and happy. Tall and beautiful she strides toward her luxury car with the world by the tail. As I looked at the pictures of her pretty face, sparkling with an adorable dimpled smile, I could see “joyfulness” conveyed on her countenance. And why not? She’s enjoying her good health and her good looks, not to mention her millions.
And yet, I know from God’s word that lasting joy comes from knowing Christ, not from good looks or money. So what is this joy on Cameron’s lovely face? I believe it’s the temporary happiness brought on by temporary circumstances. For instance, if Cameron put on sixty-five pounds, would she still stride confidently and happily across the fitness center parking lot full of pep and joy? Maybe, but I don’t think so (just think back to the “fat” photos of Kirstie Alley—no strutting going on there).
Temporal joy is the feeling of security that comes from having plenty of money, or social status, or a nice home, or a strong body and a pretty face, or a great education, or an esteemed profession, or a successful ministry. All of these things are good things—but when they become the primary source of our happiness—there’s a problem brewing.
Temporary joy is quickly toppled when confronted with adversity. In the crucible of suffering and trials this type of joy is burned off the top in a moment. It isn’t solid or valuable or lasting. Nor is it able to offer protection or courage in the face of illness, economic recession, war, or crime. It relies upon temporal circumstances for peace and comfort—as if they were solid and able to support—instead of upon God Almighty. But nothing is solid in this life except our relationship with the Lord and His timeless word.
I’m always shocked at how quickly the joy can drain right out of me. I tend to think I’m stronger and more stable than I really am. In good times I feel sure that my faith is rock solid and nothing will ever shake it—only to face some kind of trial and find myself wavering. And in all reality, my faith has grown stronger through the years… But I’m by no means unshakeable. Some days I feel like I’m in the spin cycle in my Whirlpool. When I was younger I used to think that the closer I got to the Lord, and the more I delved into my relationship with Him, the less trouble I would face along the way.
Wrong.
My almost fifty years of living have taught me that in this life we will all face troubles. Repeatedly. Nobody has it together to the point where their life is trouble-free. Life = Trouble. But life also equals JOY. And real joy is found in a tangible, authentic, vibrant, living relationship with Jesus! It’s like a secret spring in your own backyard. Every morning you have the opportunity to steal away with the Lord and dip into the life-giving waters of joyful refreshment to fortify you for the day ahead. We don’t know what potential trouble each day holds—but God does. And every morning He’ll supply us with the needed ingredients to live out that day successfully and joyfully. He supplies joy for us to sing even on the hardest of days… joy to face trials with courage and a smile… and joy to share His love with others even when we’ve just dried our own tears.
Paula Friedrichsen is a member of Church on the Mountain, a vibrant community of believers in Crowley Lake. We meet at 9:30 Sunday mornings. Call for more information: 935-4272 or www.ChurchOnTheMountain.org
And yet, I know from God’s word that lasting joy comes from knowing Christ, not from good looks or money. So what is this joy on Cameron’s lovely face? I believe it’s the temporary happiness brought on by temporary circumstances. For instance, if Cameron put on sixty-five pounds, would she still stride confidently and happily across the fitness center parking lot full of pep and joy? Maybe, but I don’t think so (just think back to the “fat” photos of Kirstie Alley—no strutting going on there).
Temporal joy is the feeling of security that comes from having plenty of money, or social status, or a nice home, or a strong body and a pretty face, or a great education, or an esteemed profession, or a successful ministry. All of these things are good things—but when they become the primary source of our happiness—there’s a problem brewing.
Temporary joy is quickly toppled when confronted with adversity. In the crucible of suffering and trials this type of joy is burned off the top in a moment. It isn’t solid or valuable or lasting. Nor is it able to offer protection or courage in the face of illness, economic recession, war, or crime. It relies upon temporal circumstances for peace and comfort—as if they were solid and able to support—instead of upon God Almighty. But nothing is solid in this life except our relationship with the Lord and His timeless word.
I’m always shocked at how quickly the joy can drain right out of me. I tend to think I’m stronger and more stable than I really am. In good times I feel sure that my faith is rock solid and nothing will ever shake it—only to face some kind of trial and find myself wavering. And in all reality, my faith has grown stronger through the years… But I’m by no means unshakeable. Some days I feel like I’m in the spin cycle in my Whirlpool. When I was younger I used to think that the closer I got to the Lord, and the more I delved into my relationship with Him, the less trouble I would face along the way.
Wrong.
My almost fifty years of living have taught me that in this life we will all face troubles. Repeatedly. Nobody has it together to the point where their life is trouble-free. Life = Trouble. But life also equals JOY. And real joy is found in a tangible, authentic, vibrant, living relationship with Jesus! It’s like a secret spring in your own backyard. Every morning you have the opportunity to steal away with the Lord and dip into the life-giving waters of joyful refreshment to fortify you for the day ahead. We don’t know what potential trouble each day holds—but God does. And every morning He’ll supply us with the needed ingredients to live out that day successfully and joyfully. He supplies joy for us to sing even on the hardest of days… joy to face trials with courage and a smile… and joy to share His love with others even when we’ve just dried our own tears.
Paula Friedrichsen is a member of Church on the Mountain, a vibrant community of believers in Crowley Lake. We meet at 9:30 Sunday mornings. Call for more information: 935-4272 or www.ChurchOnTheMountain.org
Missing Summer Storms by Pam Payne
I grew up in the Midwest, Oklahoma City to be exact, right in the middle of tornado country, and there, Spring always announced itself in the very same way.
Late in the afternoons the horizon would grow dark as blue black clouds bellowed and burped their way across the sky. I have vivid memories of watching them roll in and knowing their power. My heart would beat faster as anticipation, fear, and awe all fought each other for their rightful place inside my spirit.
There was a drill in my family and we knew what to do. When a storm began to make its way across the sky, we’d head home and turn the TV on to Gary England. He was our local meteorologist, and he would be the one to tell us when to worry. He was the man who would change the, “Thunderstorm Watch” into a “Tornando Warning.”
If Dad was home, and it seemed more often than not, he was, we would head for the garage where Dad turned on the radio, and our ritual began. My two sisters, my brother, and me, would gather our lawn chairs and line up side by side next to Dad just inside the open garage door. We’d scoot to the very edge and lean out as the sky cracked open with lightning, and we’d shriek as the gigantic booms of thunder vibrated forth from the darkening sky. We’d compare lightening bolts and cracks of thunder, and on evenings when each one seeming brighter, closer, and more powerful than the one before it, we knew the storm was headed right for us.
Sometimes, just when we thought the sky couldn’t possibly get any angrier, it would open up and explode with hail. Once, hailstones rained down the size of golf balls, and shocked, I stood holding my ears, mesmerized by the sight. I had never seen power like that, or heard a natural sound so loud. Other times, we watched funnel clouds dance down from the darkness looking for a place to land, then they would hop back up and disappear. But if the sirens sounded, and they often did, we had to go inside.
I felt safe if Dad was home when this happened, but his expression and the glances he gave my mother, told me if he was worried. On these occasions, he gathered us kids into the bathtub, he and Mom on the floor beside us with a mattress from their bed as shelter.
The worse tornando of my childhood, one of the bathtub times, took a neighbors roof completely off his house and sat it down on the roof of a house two streets over. No one was hurt, but when Dad came back from visiting them the next day he took us over there to see it and he showed me a vase of flowers on their kitchen table that never even tipped over.
I remembering standing there and looking up from that table at nothing but blue sky, as I came to a new understanding about the power and awe of a God that had control of something like that.
As I recall these things, and share this story, I can not tell you why I miss all these things so much, but I know that I do. I think it is the power of God that draws me in, but I also see God’s Glory in the lightning. I hear it in the thunder and I smell in the rain.
And in our neighbors kitchen that had no roof yet held a vase of flowers untouched on the table, I felt God’s Glory. And this, I’m sure, is why I miss them.
Pam Payne is a member of Church on the Mountain, a vibrant community of believers in Crowley Lake. We meet at 9:30 Sunday mornings. Call for more information: 935-4272 or www.ChurchOnTheMountain.org
Late in the afternoons the horizon would grow dark as blue black clouds bellowed and burped their way across the sky. I have vivid memories of watching them roll in and knowing their power. My heart would beat faster as anticipation, fear, and awe all fought each other for their rightful place inside my spirit.
There was a drill in my family and we knew what to do. When a storm began to make its way across the sky, we’d head home and turn the TV on to Gary England. He was our local meteorologist, and he would be the one to tell us when to worry. He was the man who would change the, “Thunderstorm Watch” into a “Tornando Warning.”
If Dad was home, and it seemed more often than not, he was, we would head for the garage where Dad turned on the radio, and our ritual began. My two sisters, my brother, and me, would gather our lawn chairs and line up side by side next to Dad just inside the open garage door. We’d scoot to the very edge and lean out as the sky cracked open with lightning, and we’d shriek as the gigantic booms of thunder vibrated forth from the darkening sky. We’d compare lightening bolts and cracks of thunder, and on evenings when each one seeming brighter, closer, and more powerful than the one before it, we knew the storm was headed right for us.
Sometimes, just when we thought the sky couldn’t possibly get any angrier, it would open up and explode with hail. Once, hailstones rained down the size of golf balls, and shocked, I stood holding my ears, mesmerized by the sight. I had never seen power like that, or heard a natural sound so loud. Other times, we watched funnel clouds dance down from the darkness looking for a place to land, then they would hop back up and disappear. But if the sirens sounded, and they often did, we had to go inside.
I felt safe if Dad was home when this happened, but his expression and the glances he gave my mother, told me if he was worried. On these occasions, he gathered us kids into the bathtub, he and Mom on the floor beside us with a mattress from their bed as shelter.
The worse tornando of my childhood, one of the bathtub times, took a neighbors roof completely off his house and sat it down on the roof of a house two streets over. No one was hurt, but when Dad came back from visiting them the next day he took us over there to see it and he showed me a vase of flowers on their kitchen table that never even tipped over.
I remembering standing there and looking up from that table at nothing but blue sky, as I came to a new understanding about the power and awe of a God that had control of something like that.
As I recall these things, and share this story, I can not tell you why I miss all these things so much, but I know that I do. I think it is the power of God that draws me in, but I also see God’s Glory in the lightning. I hear it in the thunder and I smell in the rain.
And in our neighbors kitchen that had no roof yet held a vase of flowers untouched on the table, I felt God’s Glory. And this, I’m sure, is why I miss them.
Pam Payne is a member of Church on the Mountain, a vibrant community of believers in Crowley Lake. We meet at 9:30 Sunday mornings. Call for more information: 935-4272 or www.ChurchOnTheMountain.org
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
God Amidst Technology by Pam Payne
I was at my daughter’s house the other day when she handed my 2-year-old grandson her iphone. “Watch this Mom,” she said with a glint in her eye, “It’s pretty amazing.” Jude then took the phone, smiled at me, and proceeded to flip through the application pages until he found an icon called Monkey Lunchbox and then he opened it. I sat with him in my lap in utter amazement and watched him play a game similar to the card game we used to call concentration. It was astounding to me how he could match the fruits!
This precious two-year-old seemed to have an innate ability for this type of technology, and I was reminded of another time with my own son, Michael. He loved to build things with Legos, and when he was about four, the Lego company came out with new intricate designs. Michael saw their pirate ship one day at a store. There were hundreds of pieces and I thought it would be way too much for him. But when he kept asking for it, we finally made the purchase. I blocked a chunk of time out of our day so I could sit with him and help him build it. As Michael settled on the floor with the box, I went into the kitchen to fix a glass of tea and make us a snack. When I came back into the room, he had half the ship put together already. I remember being amazed by that too. No instructions necessary, just the picture on the box alongside his little brain and hands.
The truth is that the Lego pirate ship challenged me that day, and I was not prepared for all the technology that lay just around the corner. However, what I know now, is that our God was prepared. He was not surprised or amazed by any of this. He knew exactly what kind of world Michael and Jude would be born into. He knew the skills they would need to be successful in 1989 and in 2010. God knew all of this was coming.
So…my point is this. Although I am constantly challenged by all the latest computer and phone technology, I am embracing it. My husband used his upgrade and got me an iphone for Mother’s Day. Most of my family members already had one, so it was not a new deal in my world, but I wanted to figure it out all by myself, so I did. Well… I may have called my daughter ReAnnon once or twice.
And now, I can't imagine living without it. I love that I can play Scrabble with daughters, nieces, friends, and mother on and off throughout my day. It also keeps my brain working. I love that I can take a quick minute to engage with them, or send a simple text of love or encouragement. I can leave a quick comment on a friend’s blog post, or laugh with someone on Facebook…
The other day, while I was watering, my niece sent me a picture text of her mom, my sister, wearing a hat like one that I have. “She’s looks like you, Aunt Pam,” her text said, and I laughed. They were traveling in the car, and after a few texts back and forth, I felt like I was in the car with them. What a precious gift that was. My youngest daughter, a big city girl, found a curio cabinet the other day and sent me of photo of it right away. I then got another photo a few hours later after she had filled it with all her special treasures. I felt like I was right there with her too. Another gift.
So whether you’re on board with all this new tech stuff or not, it is the world we live in and the way of the future. The social networks, like them or not, is how people communicate these days. My parents, siblings, kids, nieces and nephews, friends, all of us, we laugh, post pictures, and share our lives with each other this way. And as God inspires me to write about what He is doing and what He has done, I can share those things with all these people as well.
I understand the internet can be a dark place, but it is not going away. If we want to be in touch with our children and grandchildren on a daily basis (and I do), it’s a great way to do it.
So I encourage you to learn how to use this stuff. Embrace it! If my Mom can do it, and I can do it, you can too.
Pam Payne is a member of Church on the Mountain, a vibrant community of believers in Crowley Lake. We meet at 9:30 Sunday mornings. Call for more information: 935-4272 or www.ChurchOnTheMountain.org
This precious two-year-old seemed to have an innate ability for this type of technology, and I was reminded of another time with my own son, Michael. He loved to build things with Legos, and when he was about four, the Lego company came out with new intricate designs. Michael saw their pirate ship one day at a store. There were hundreds of pieces and I thought it would be way too much for him. But when he kept asking for it, we finally made the purchase. I blocked a chunk of time out of our day so I could sit with him and help him build it. As Michael settled on the floor with the box, I went into the kitchen to fix a glass of tea and make us a snack. When I came back into the room, he had half the ship put together already. I remember being amazed by that too. No instructions necessary, just the picture on the box alongside his little brain and hands.
The truth is that the Lego pirate ship challenged me that day, and I was not prepared for all the technology that lay just around the corner. However, what I know now, is that our God was prepared. He was not surprised or amazed by any of this. He knew exactly what kind of world Michael and Jude would be born into. He knew the skills they would need to be successful in 1989 and in 2010. God knew all of this was coming.
So…my point is this. Although I am constantly challenged by all the latest computer and phone technology, I am embracing it. My husband used his upgrade and got me an iphone for Mother’s Day. Most of my family members already had one, so it was not a new deal in my world, but I wanted to figure it out all by myself, so I did. Well… I may have called my daughter ReAnnon once or twice.
And now, I can't imagine living without it. I love that I can play Scrabble with daughters, nieces, friends, and mother on and off throughout my day. It also keeps my brain working. I love that I can take a quick minute to engage with them, or send a simple text of love or encouragement. I can leave a quick comment on a friend’s blog post, or laugh with someone on Facebook…
The other day, while I was watering, my niece sent me a picture text of her mom, my sister, wearing a hat like one that I have. “She’s looks like you, Aunt Pam,” her text said, and I laughed. They were traveling in the car, and after a few texts back and forth, I felt like I was in the car with them. What a precious gift that was. My youngest daughter, a big city girl, found a curio cabinet the other day and sent me of photo of it right away. I then got another photo a few hours later after she had filled it with all her special treasures. I felt like I was right there with her too. Another gift.
So whether you’re on board with all this new tech stuff or not, it is the world we live in and the way of the future. The social networks, like them or not, is how people communicate these days. My parents, siblings, kids, nieces and nephews, friends, all of us, we laugh, post pictures, and share our lives with each other this way. And as God inspires me to write about what He is doing and what He has done, I can share those things with all these people as well.
I understand the internet can be a dark place, but it is not going away. If we want to be in touch with our children and grandchildren on a daily basis (and I do), it’s a great way to do it.
So I encourage you to learn how to use this stuff. Embrace it! If my Mom can do it, and I can do it, you can too.
Pam Payne is a member of Church on the Mountain, a vibrant community of believers in Crowley Lake. We meet at 9:30 Sunday mornings. Call for more information: 935-4272 or www.ChurchOnTheMountain.org
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Finding God’s Peace in Rocky Times by Paula Friedrichsen
When I was pregnant with my youngest child it was discovered that we had Rh-factor incompatibility. My blood type is Rh negative, and hers is not, and somehow a very small amount of her blood crossed over into my system. This made for a difficult pregnancy which involved constant monitoring by a neo-natal specialist, and eventually an in-utero blood transfusion in the seventh month of gestation.
My daughter was born by C-section a month early and immediately flown from Bishop Hospital to Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles where she was treated in the neo-natal unit. I only saw her for a moment after she was born. She was sedated, hooked up to a ventilator, and given a blood transfusion. She was one sick little girl!
So while all the other mommies in the obstetrics unit cuddled their newborns, I briefly touched the head of my little one and watched her go. I wondered; “would the airplane make it safely? Would the flight crew take good care of my baby? Would the blood transfusion work? Would she live?”
At that moment in my life, I needed peace more than I needed air. It was during the next few days that I discovered two different kinds of peace. The first was the super-fabulous and immediate peace I received each time they injected morphine into my I.V. bag. Within minutes of the injection I was slurring things like, “It’s all gonna be great! No worries! She’s in good hands. Now, what’s for lunch?”
But when the morphine wore off it was a whole different story. I desperately needed God’s peace! Apart from His grace to see me through this trial, I was a basket case. I had to reach for Him like never before, and I had to trust Him to give me the peace I craved.
God showered His peace on me in two different ways; the first was through the constant and faithful prayers of my friends and family. I could literally feel those prayers holding me up, holding me together, and covering my baby with love.
The second way God sent His peace was through His Word. Now, during this time of my life I was in no frame of mind to sit around and read the Bible… But, for many, many years up until that crisis, I had begun most every morning with a cup of coffee and my Bible. Soaking up God’s Word in the everyday of my life was vital for me to be able to get through that trial with peace and victory.
This particular Scripture helped me to have the right perspective while our little one was in the hospital: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
This Scripture is so much more than the common refrain “everything happens for a reason.” This passage is an astounding promise from God that no matter what comes against us (danger, sickness, accusation, financial loss, death of a loved one, etc.) it will all work out for our ultimate good because we love and serve God. This Scripture bathed me in peace during this tumultuous season.
To tell the end of the story; our little girl spent less than two weeks in the hospital, had no lasting complications from her ordeal, and is now a lovely, healthy teenager. And best of all, God met our family in a tangible way, giving us yet another testimony of His supernatural peace in rocky times.
My daughter was born by C-section a month early and immediately flown from Bishop Hospital to Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles where she was treated in the neo-natal unit. I only saw her for a moment after she was born. She was sedated, hooked up to a ventilator, and given a blood transfusion. She was one sick little girl!
So while all the other mommies in the obstetrics unit cuddled their newborns, I briefly touched the head of my little one and watched her go. I wondered; “would the airplane make it safely? Would the flight crew take good care of my baby? Would the blood transfusion work? Would she live?”
At that moment in my life, I needed peace more than I needed air. It was during the next few days that I discovered two different kinds of peace. The first was the super-fabulous and immediate peace I received each time they injected morphine into my I.V. bag. Within minutes of the injection I was slurring things like, “It’s all gonna be great! No worries! She’s in good hands. Now, what’s for lunch?”
But when the morphine wore off it was a whole different story. I desperately needed God’s peace! Apart from His grace to see me through this trial, I was a basket case. I had to reach for Him like never before, and I had to trust Him to give me the peace I craved.
God showered His peace on me in two different ways; the first was through the constant and faithful prayers of my friends and family. I could literally feel those prayers holding me up, holding me together, and covering my baby with love.
The second way God sent His peace was through His Word. Now, during this time of my life I was in no frame of mind to sit around and read the Bible… But, for many, many years up until that crisis, I had begun most every morning with a cup of coffee and my Bible. Soaking up God’s Word in the everyday of my life was vital for me to be able to get through that trial with peace and victory.
This particular Scripture helped me to have the right perspective while our little one was in the hospital: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
This Scripture is so much more than the common refrain “everything happens for a reason.” This passage is an astounding promise from God that no matter what comes against us (danger, sickness, accusation, financial loss, death of a loved one, etc.) it will all work out for our ultimate good because we love and serve God. This Scripture bathed me in peace during this tumultuous season.
To tell the end of the story; our little girl spent less than two weeks in the hospital, had no lasting complications from her ordeal, and is now a lovely, healthy teenager. And best of all, God met our family in a tangible way, giving us yet another testimony of His supernatural peace in rocky times.
My Battle With Fear by Paula Friedrichsen
The struggles and trials of my life have taught me that sometimes I have to be willing to “fight for peace.” As with many of the promises found in God’s word, we may have to fight a giant or two to fully possess them. Scripture tells us that David killed a lion and a bear—and eventually a 9-foot giant, in order to enter into God’s plan for his life. We may have to do the same…
About three years ago I received a death threat via email. It was addressed to me specifically and according to the man who sent it, he had been following me for ten days and was now prepared to kill me if I didn’t pay him $6000.00. He told me that if I contacted the police he would have no other choice but to kill me immediately. I sat in front of my computer screen completely stunned! Stunned that someone would threaten to murder me… stunned that he claimed to have been following me… and stunned that he thought I was only worth $6000.00! (I’m laughing now, but at the time it wasn’t really a laughing matter).
Obviously, we did call the police and it was determined that the death threat was probably a scam to extort money. But still… it was unnerving to say the least. The day after I received the email, my husband left for a five day golfing trip. He had offered to cancel his plans and stay home, but the tickets were non-refundable and I knew in my heart that everything was going to be fine. So, after kissing my “protector” goodbye I went on about my business. The sheriff’s department had promised to patrol my neighborhood throughout the next five days and I felt confident that all would be well. That happy feeling of confidence stayed with me right up until I turned off my bedside lamp to go to sleep that night. Then…slowly…a creepy feeling of fear began to worm its way into my thoughts, and I found myself laying there listening for sounds of danger. What was that creaking? Is that a window opening? Do I hear footsteps? Oh! I hated myself for being afraid! I finally dozed off sometime after midnight and awoke the next morning feeling frazzled and defeated.
What had happened? I had gone to bed knowing analytically that there was only a very slim chance that I was in any kind of impending danger. In fact my mom and I had joked earlier that evening that statistically I had a better chance of dying that night in a house fire or earthquake, than by murder (admittedly it was kind of a morbid conversation). By the end of our phone call we were laughing and joking and I felt assured that my daughter and I were completely safe. But while my brain accepted the truth that we were safe, obviously my emotions had not.
So, after my restless night’s sleep I called my pastor and his wife for some prayer and advice. I knew I didn’t want to be scared every night until my husband returned! Pastor Eric reminded me that maintaining peace in upsetting circumstances is a battle, and one which is best fought with the help of other believers. He promised that he and Peggy would pray for me, but also suggested that I ask a couple of friends to come over to pray for me later that day. He reminded me that this kind of battle is a spiritual one.
I got off the phone feeling completely different about the situation! Of course this was a spiritual attack… hello! What had I been thinking? I needed to call out to God for help. I invited my two girlfriends over for lunch and after we ate, we prayed. With the help of other believers I was able to receive the peace that Christ offers. But to be honest, God’s peace didn’t just land on me as soon as I found myself in a troubling situation—I had to fight for it. I had to reach out for help. I had to pray and ask others to pray with me. And later that evening when the panicky feelings threatened to return, I had to make the choice to fix my eyes on God and resist the oppression. My comfort came by knowing that nothing could happen to my daughter or myself outside of God’s sovereign plan for our lives.
I slept peacefully that night, and each night after until my husband returned home from his trip. God came through for me in a big way, proving once again His wonderful faithfulness! The day after my breakthrough a song of praise arose out of my spirit:
More real than the earth I walk on,
More real than the air I breathe,
Is Your compassionate love and tender care for me!
About three years ago I received a death threat via email. It was addressed to me specifically and according to the man who sent it, he had been following me for ten days and was now prepared to kill me if I didn’t pay him $6000.00. He told me that if I contacted the police he would have no other choice but to kill me immediately. I sat in front of my computer screen completely stunned! Stunned that someone would threaten to murder me… stunned that he claimed to have been following me… and stunned that he thought I was only worth $6000.00! (I’m laughing now, but at the time it wasn’t really a laughing matter).
Obviously, we did call the police and it was determined that the death threat was probably a scam to extort money. But still… it was unnerving to say the least. The day after I received the email, my husband left for a five day golfing trip. He had offered to cancel his plans and stay home, but the tickets were non-refundable and I knew in my heart that everything was going to be fine. So, after kissing my “protector” goodbye I went on about my business. The sheriff’s department had promised to patrol my neighborhood throughout the next five days and I felt confident that all would be well. That happy feeling of confidence stayed with me right up until I turned off my bedside lamp to go to sleep that night. Then…slowly…a creepy feeling of fear began to worm its way into my thoughts, and I found myself laying there listening for sounds of danger. What was that creaking? Is that a window opening? Do I hear footsteps? Oh! I hated myself for being afraid! I finally dozed off sometime after midnight and awoke the next morning feeling frazzled and defeated.
What had happened? I had gone to bed knowing analytically that there was only a very slim chance that I was in any kind of impending danger. In fact my mom and I had joked earlier that evening that statistically I had a better chance of dying that night in a house fire or earthquake, than by murder (admittedly it was kind of a morbid conversation). By the end of our phone call we were laughing and joking and I felt assured that my daughter and I were completely safe. But while my brain accepted the truth that we were safe, obviously my emotions had not.
So, after my restless night’s sleep I called my pastor and his wife for some prayer and advice. I knew I didn’t want to be scared every night until my husband returned! Pastor Eric reminded me that maintaining peace in upsetting circumstances is a battle, and one which is best fought with the help of other believers. He promised that he and Peggy would pray for me, but also suggested that I ask a couple of friends to come over to pray for me later that day. He reminded me that this kind of battle is a spiritual one.
I got off the phone feeling completely different about the situation! Of course this was a spiritual attack… hello! What had I been thinking? I needed to call out to God for help. I invited my two girlfriends over for lunch and after we ate, we prayed. With the help of other believers I was able to receive the peace that Christ offers. But to be honest, God’s peace didn’t just land on me as soon as I found myself in a troubling situation—I had to fight for it. I had to reach out for help. I had to pray and ask others to pray with me. And later that evening when the panicky feelings threatened to return, I had to make the choice to fix my eyes on God and resist the oppression. My comfort came by knowing that nothing could happen to my daughter or myself outside of God’s sovereign plan for our lives.
I slept peacefully that night, and each night after until my husband returned home from his trip. God came through for me in a big way, proving once again His wonderful faithfulness! The day after my breakthrough a song of praise arose out of my spirit:
More real than the earth I walk on,
More real than the air I breathe,
Is Your compassionate love and tender care for me!
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