Emerging by Faith by Rev. Jacquie Hood Martin, PhD
Daily we are growing together as we determine how to singular emerge from our pandemic encounter. It is up to you and you alone to find our space, determine your level of comfortability, and walk into your new life. As sons and daughters of faith, we learn to lean and depend on God to show us the way we need to go to grow ourselves as believers. Often the challenge seems overwhelming, and we become paralyzed by fear and the unfamiliar. As we move forward through the last days of 2021, a little bit of angst gives us flashbacks of the uncertainty that literally plagued the start of 2020. Let me encourage you amid your near panic attack to hold on to your faith tighter than ever!
Faith is a cornerstone of my and many believers’ journey. And, even if you are a fair-weathered believer there is some truth that you live by that gets you through each day of your life. We use our faith to comfort and guide us when we must make tough decisions. When you have an unwanted diagnosis. When we face the loss of a loved one. When you face a negative past. When you face your fears. When you face the truth about yourself. When you one day stand before God, the life you have lived will have been lived by faith. I want to present an opportunity to you, to learn to be a ‘faith warrior. In life, it sometimes comes down to perception. And, as you begin to address those things that need handling, take these observations with you into your decision-making:
1. Recognize you don’t have to make the decision-all at once:
You see a large part of moving forward is dissecting it piece by piece so that you are sure to cover all the angles.
2. Get a hold of yourself before you allow your life as a believer to become a contradiction! Sadly, many people never seek God to find out whether something even warrants our time and attention.
3. Expect triggers: Memories, encounters, and prior experiences all fill your brain.
4. Expect the unexpected: When we operate by faith there is a peace and calm that envelops us, allowing for the best possible outcome.
There are times, however, when moving forward paralyzes us. We begin to over-analyze our past failures and destroy any remnant of hope for a future. Failure is not a part of God’s reality. A reveal allows you to let God, who is seeking to bless you, step in and add value from our pain to your life. Timothy reminds his listeners, 2 Timothy 2:7, that a spirit of timidity is not an inherited trait of God’s children. Therefore, any uneasy feelings you have about your present and future success can be erased. You erase your feelings of fear with a vision of yourself being successful, conquering your problems, and pushing your way through rather than falling victim to the weight of doubt. It is time to accept that pursuing your passion and purpose will drown out the cries of your inner child who fears the known. It is time to look in the mirror and say ‘Self…this is your life, now go out and live it!’
Learn more about Dr. Jacqui at jhoodassociates.org Twitter: Jhoodmartin
Twitter: iBalanceMe
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