God is Bigger Than Your "BUT"

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Look at the size of her but! 

What have you wanted? What have you focused on? What has stood in your way?

Your But? How big is your But? Because my God is bigger.

If you just thought "But you don't know my circumstances" STOP! There  you go, showing your but again!

Of course I may not know, but God does. 

It is all a matter of perspective. 

When the children of Israel were on the edge of the Promise land, Moses sent 12 spies into the land to figure out what lie ahead. Ten came back with news of giants and other obstacles and only 2 came back with the amazing news of milk and honey! 

Are you a glass half empty or half full person? 

Perspective matters, just ask the rock climber. Climbing the sheer face of the side of a cliff or mountain may seem madness for some, but pure joy for others. Regardless of how you feel about it, climbers all have one thing in common: they have all had that moment of "now what". 

Where do I put my hands now? Is there going to be a place to put my feet in three moves if I follow this line? 

Move a little to the left or the right and the face of the mountain changes. There is a perfect path to climb just inches away from where there was no path before. Perspective. 

If you have ever questioned yourself about stepping out and doing what you have always wanted to do, followed by 'what will people say' or 'yeah, but I don't have this or that' then you are letting your but stand in the way of something great. 

I have been there too!

Right now I am beginning possibly the scariest thing I have ever done: I am writing a book. 

Didn't I already write a book? Yes, yes I did: a children's book. Now I am writing a book that has a totally different feel, a new market for me, and a book that makes me think "who am I to write this?" 

I struggle with my "But" just like anyone else. I am preaching to the choir, soloist Dayna Bickham, pay attention please! 

There is one thing I want to say to myself and to you: 

Those God calls He equips, Those He equips He sends, Those He sends He holds. 

Go for it. Trust that God has given you this dream, He has gifted you with the tools you need to pursue your dream. I bet if you look around, there are even people being lined up to help cheer you on as you chase that dream. Step out. To quote Nike, "Just do it!"  To quote myself, "God's got this!" 

Don't let your big but stop you! 

Buts are like snakes in the grass. You are walking along and everything seems fine, and out of no where a "But" lifts it's ugly little head and you are frozen in your tracks, afraid to move. STEP ON THAT BUT! 

Squash it, grind it to little pieces, chop it's head off! Do what you have to do to get over the objection and on to the objective! Keep going! 

I will. 

Question: What "But" will you kill today? 

Sunday Reflection April 22, 2012

This week was a crazy one for me. My daughter got surgery earlier in the week and the recovery has gone well. I will have to write about the whole experience one day, but right now, it is a little too fresh- it probably needs to marinate for a while. 

We started off the week on the blog with Oh Be Careful Big Mouths, and I had to heed my own advice several times this week. Then we took up Mountain Climbing! That was one of my favorites. We all have mountains, the question is, how do we face them? As a climber or a go around-er? 

Waiting is a skill I have yet to perfect. My patience is not where it needs to be. Learning to wait on God is something we all should learn because without this particular skill, we could end up in a real mess. 

I have been thinking about this next post for a while. Originally I wanted to call it "Why Carelessness has No Place in the Body", But instead called it "Why we are Called to Love" . I cannot stress enough the importance of this. 

This morning Joyce Meyer tweeted this: 

"Every believer has a ministry. It may not be a public one, but you've got a ministry to your children, your spouse, your family, to God." 

Put your hand to the plow and don't look back. Get to work walking out the love of Christ! It will change your world! 

After watching my 14 year old go through the pain of surgery, I began to think about pain: physical pain, yes, but mostly emotional and spiritual pain. Victim or Victor came from that pondering. You are more than an overcomer in Christ! You just need to change your perspective, and gear up! 

As a woman, I love telling the story of "how did you two meet"? I took it a little further and told you the story of "How I knew He was the One".  I love a good love story, and God wrote ours long before I did. 

So there are things that I have wanted to do with this blog for a while and I have not been able to for one reason or another. I want to change that. Soon there will be a little method to my madness and hopefully the structure will help you find posts on topics you want to hear about. 

SO... what do you want to hear about? Let me know by leaving a comment below. You could see your idea in a post soon. 

 

Mountains - To Climb or Not to Climb?

Big or small mountains are not fun to climb. Each of us has them- at one time or another- and every time we face a new one the challenge can seem insurmountable. 

I know that when I have looked back at some of the mountains I have faced in my life, one of two things go through my mind.

1- "I called THAT a mountain?" or 2- "I know that only God brought me through THAT!" 

If you are alive, and I would hope that if you are reading this it means you still have a pulse- you have faced mountains. You might be facing one now. I am just writing this to encourage you to be strong.

Easy to say right?

Well, I can honestly say- no- it is not easy. Intellectually and spiritually when facing a mountain we can feel insignificant or overwhelmed. I have been there. I know. Have I faced every mountain with faith, composer, dignity, strength, and determination? No- but I know it can be done, because my Lord said it can be.

"Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to thismountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done". Matthew 21:21

You might be thinking- 'Dayna- you don't know- my mountain is so big I can't even seem to get out of bed today'. This is the enemy and his name is depression.

Depression can be mild, (man I am bummed I did not get that job!) or it can be severe (thoughts of suicide, mood swings, uncontrolled malaise, and general apathy toward your situation and your world).

First Things First

First I have to say that if you feel like you are in severe depression- seek medical help. Your regular physician can diagnose and treat you. You do not have to seek out a therapist right away, but you should. If you are suicidal TELL SOMEONE NOW. Help is available. (more on this later)

Personally I have dealt with depression. I have had postpartum depression, clinical depression, and have had to commit my husband (several years ago) to a hospital. He was so severely depressed that thoughts of suicide were all-consuming for him. I have seen both sides. I know that when you are depressed you face a mountain with little if any ability to overcome by yourself. 

But it can be done.

Jeremiah 15:20I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you," declares the LORD.

God's whole plan for man after the fall of Adam and Eve was a plan of rescue. That is why He sent Jesus. To save us. This salvation is complete and it is permanent. Just because your circumstances have changed does not mean you are not loved just as much now as when God made this plan in the first place.

2 Corinthians 6:2 For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." [ Isaiah 49:8] I tell you, NOW is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

and

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed— not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence— continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of LIFE...

God is in the rescue business...daily.  

Why? 

Because of His unending and undying love for us. The cry of your heart, as you face your mountain- whether or not you face it depressed- is for wholeness, healing, and salvation. 

These things God provides.

Good counsel in these times- these face the mountain and can I take the next step times- is imperative. 

If you attend a good church, seek help with your pastor. They are the sheep with bells on. They are on the fore-front of ministry and are down in the trenches with you. This is a great place to seek Biblical and (most importantly) Holy Spirit guidance for your life. 

If you don't have a good church, find one. If church is not something you think you can handle, get over yourself. We all need a family, and though flawed, a church family can add tremendous support when going through "it".

The Father said:

Psalm 32:8I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

The psalmist said:

Psalm 73:24You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

Glory. Sounds like standing on top of that Mountain doesn't it?

Facing mountains, especially if you feel you are facing one alone can be daunting. But you do not have to be alone. The Lord made you, called you to be His, and longs to love you through the biggest circumstances...all the way to glory.

If you have never prayed before, or if the closest you came to praying was at the dinner table, then talk to the Father now. That is all prayer is...talking to the Father.

"Father, you see where I am and all that I have done and been in my life. Forgive me for my short comings and bring me to life. Thank you for rescuing me. Thank you for Jesus. Amen"

You are now God's child, his son or daughter. If you are already His, and feel that the mountain is too big, remember there is NOTHING too big for God. When He is for us, who (or what) could possibly stand against us?

When you look at the greatness of the Father, and his sheer awesome ability to bring you out of any situation- mountains begin to look like mo-hills...

What kind of mountain are you facing right now?


If you liked this post read more about battling Depression God's way here.