Have you ever listened to a sermon and thought the preacher was speaking directly to you?! Or, have you ever listened to a sermon and thought...so and so needs to hear this...I'm going to make sure they listen to this. Well...Falen informed me on Sunday that Pastor Steven Furtick at Elevation Church was speaking directly to Laura Waymire this past Sunday. And was he ever! WOW!
Pastor Furtick is in his third week of his Room 101 series. This past Sunday his sermon was titled 'Fear's Greatest Hit.' Not only did he speak on what I fear most, but he even used a record to apply the message. And if you haven't noticed...I LOVE music!
I guess I've never identified my greatest fear in this way, but he hit it SPOT ON. My greatest fears are the What IFs...and there's a Loooooong list of these....
What IF my children get sick or die...
What IF another one my siblings die...
What IF I never find a Godly man to marry...
What IF I find that Godly man but I'm unable to commit due to my first failure...
What IF I suck at Law School and can't keep the gpa needed to renew my scholarship...
What IF I devote too much time to studying and ignore my kids...
What IF I can't afford to pay my bills after quitting my job...
What IF I can't afford to pay my bills after quitting my job...
What IF I excel at Law School but can't find job after...
What IF I've over committed myself by doing Kairos as I start Law School...
What IF I've over committed myself by doing Kairos as I start Law School...
...this is only a beginning...the list is looooong...these What IF fears permeate my thoughts daily...and all too often they begin to paralyze my life...What IFs cause seemingly uncontrollable Panic...
Pastor Furtick said that "Fear is misplaced Faith." He walked through how to wade past your What IFs rather than into them. Diving deep down underneath them and knowing that God will still be there even if the What IF does happen.
He talked about the Faith that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had when threatened by King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3...
He talked about the Faith that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had when threatened by King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3...
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, "King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:16-18
What IF a loved one dies? That Would be devastating...horrible, seething pain. But I know first hand that I would get through it. I'd never be the same, but God IS a sustainer and comforter. He promises to strengthen and bind our wounds.
In Pastor Furtick's application of the message using a record...he pointed out that a record has two sides. Don't just ask What IF something bad happens...ask What IF if you don't try...What IF you don't step out in Faith? For example, What IF I fail horribly at Law School? But What IF I never step out and try? Or...What IF I did over commit myself with Kairos? But What IF I passed on Kairos and missed out on ministering to the residents God has called me to minister to?
What are your greatest What IF fears? What is on the other side of the record?
Great post! I am an expert at worrying about WHAT IFS and it can get really exhausting!
ReplyDeleteIt is exhausting...but only because we let it be. When Satan hits with a What IF...hit back with God IS! Thx for stopping by HOlly!
DeleteSpot on. I'm doing an 'IF' series at church right now. There are 1,784 'if's in the Bible (NIV). Too many times we ask the wrong 'if'.
ReplyDeleteAwesome Joe! You should listen to Furtick's sermon and see what you think.
DeleteThis is so good! I need to listen to this :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely listen to it. Pastor Furtick hit on soooo much more than I did. It's worth the time...PROMISE!
DeleteThanks Laura. My husband and I are considering moving back to Ohio from Maryland and the what ifs of this decision are overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteFirst, let me just say that moving back to Ohio should always be considered a good idea! (Hear that Falen?!!!?) Go Buckeyes! Second, listen to Pastor Furtick's sermon...he may put something into perspective that you haven't considered. Thx for stopping by Amy! Bless You!
DeleteWow, this was a great post. I remember hearing "fear is the absence of faith." It's so true. And it's so true that God holds the future, no matter what. His plan doesn't revolve around ours, ours needs to revolve around His.
ReplyDeleteBtw, wanted to let you know I nominated your blog for the Versatile Blogger award :)
http://ahumblebumble.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-versatile-blogger-award-thanks.html
This is very interesting, writing down fears. Mine would be similar. It's a good exercise to reflect on them, though, and then follow through to remember that those events would not surprise God...He would still reign and love and provide. Very insightful post.
ReplyDeleteLaura,
ReplyDeleteI have many "What If's inside of me. It's silly to think that when we are taught to trust in God that so many of us still sit back and let doubt and worry burden us in our lives. Pastor Furtick is right! We have to step out of our comfort areas and TRY....we have to be that turtle that sticks his neck out and gets moving. This is the life here on earth that God has given us and we should make the most out of every moment. Thanks for a great post. I'm sharing your link in today's later post so that others can read. = )
Irish