Today I did something that I have been resisting doing for quite some time. I didn’t even realize that the change I made was delayed so long out of fear. But now that I am focusing on courage in 2014, it became clear. So, today I bought a new phone and changed my cell phone carrier! (Scary, I know, right? Ha ha!) I don’t know why I was afraid of it before, except that change in itself is difficult. I had been with my old company since I got my first cell phone many years ago, but knew I should change to be a better steward of the funds God has given us. I had all sorts of excuses before today, but now that it is done I am so relieved! I have lowered my monthly bill by $40 and I’ll be using a new device that will run more smoothly, have more storage and do more things! (I sound like a cell phone commercial, don’t I?)

So, why is change so difficult? I think it is because, for most of us, we become too comfortable with what we know and we become overly fearful of the unknown. But that is not how God wants us to live, for He didn’t create us to live in fear.


“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

There was a fearful man you may have heard of named Gideon who was so afraid of his enemies that he would hide in a winepress to thresh his wheat. He lived a life made many times more difficult due to his fear of what lay beyond the borders of his home. But God did not see Gideon as a man who lacked courage. In fact, in the book of Judges, the angel of the Lord’s first words to Gideon were to call him “Mighty Warrior”! I’m sure Gideon was quite surprised by that greeting for he was feeling anything but mighty or courageous! However, God knew what Gideon was capable of for He formed His character and knew His future. God had plans for this frightened man, who claimed to be the least member of the least family in Israel! A short time later, when Gideon placed His faith in the Lord, trusting Him for the outcome of the battle that was to come, he received the courage that God knew was in him. Gideon followed God and led the army of Israel to victory against the Midianites!

Now, I know that buying a new cell phone is minor in comparison to what God led Gideon to do, but what I am saying is that God did not make us to be cowering creatures like Gideon was when he was in the winepress. God wants us to live life with courage, trusting Him for our future. God doesn’t make mistakes when He evaluates our character. When He asks us to do something, large or small, He already knows that we can do it. He supplies all the strength, courage and wisdom it takes to do whatever tasks He has given us. All we need to do is place our trust in Him and live life outside of the winepress.


Trusting Him,

15 Comments

  1. Joan, this was perfect for me to read today...from cell phones (we just gave up our 22 year old landline) to health issues, we have nothing to fear. Today I chose to live outside of the winepress!

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  2. Hi Anita!


    So glad you're living outside of the winepress, too! It is so easy to let our fears, large or small, consume us, isn't it? But, God made us to be courageous, so I'm trusting in Him!


    Blessings, Joan

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  3. Love the "mighty" sync!! Great post, Joan! Thanks for linking up with Recommendation Saturday! Heart Hugs, Shelly <3

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  4. Hi Shelly! I love it when God does that, too...send out the mighty message (or any message) to several people at once! What a blessing to find our strength in Him!


    Blessings, Joan

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  5. Yes, we often are fearful of the unknown. We enjoy our day to day surroundings that we are familiar with. My post today suggests that there is much spiritual food on God's pot luck table that we are hesitate to taste because it seems strange and we are afraid. Do not fear but come and taste and see that the Lord he is good.

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  6. Making a change requires a giant leap of faith, when situations and circumstances are working in your life, why fix them,right? Ha! Aw, but I know if we are going to grow in our walk, we must be willing to invite and allow change in our lives. God will bring change into our lives through His amazing love and in His own time and way and we must fight the urge to resist it. :)

    My first post...finally! this morning ~ yippeee! You can find me at http://refinemeblog.com/

    Blessings sweet friend...have missed reading your wonderful posts!

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  7. Seeing your comment here this morning has made my day! I'm "running" right over to your new blog to check it out! Yes, it is a huge temptation to try to resist the change that God brings into our lives. However, when we walk with Him, we are always on the right path! See you over at Refine me!!


    Blessings, Joan

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  8. Change is difficult. And I think you've nailed the reason--it's fear. I like your response to that fear, though. Trust in God and have courage because he has never let us down.
    Blessings,
    Janis

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  9. You're so right! We can trust God in all things! He knows what is best for us, for He sees the whole picture!

    Blessings, Joan

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  10. Amen and AMEN. Change is always hard but we can do ALL THINGS through CHRIST Who gives us strength. Thanks for this vital reminder. :)

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  11. Thanks for sharing this story because even tiny changes can cause fear to rear up in our souls. But you're so right that God sees deeper into us than we can, and he wants us to trust him. I want to more and more.

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  12. So true! I am counting on Him to give me the courage to do whatever He placed before me!


    Blessings, Joan

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  13. The wonderful thing about trust is that the more we trust Him, the deeper our faith grows. Then, it is easier and easier to trust! I am counting on Him!


    Blessings, Joan

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  14. Hi Joan, it is so true that change can be a scary thing especially when one is quite comfortable thank you very much. But I love that your motivation, being a better steward of God's money, got you to face your fear, however small or big. Great post.
    God bless

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  15. Thanks, Tracy! I also learned that things that seem scary can turn out to be "no big deal" once we face our fears with God at our sides! He supplies all the strength we need!


    Blessings, Joan


    P.S. I love my new phone!

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