The Fear of Change

By Rosemary Flaaten –

Imagine a crazy man running around your neighborhood naked, screaming obscenities and breaking free of all attempts to restrain and confine him. Initially this would seem horrific but over time his lunacy might became a normal part of your community fabric.

One day Jesus, who has become known for healing even the worst malady, came into a town and was met by their village lunatic. Rather than brushing him aside, Jesus stopped and confronted him. He didn’t ridicule but He did confront the source of this man’s problem. In doing so, the evil spirits that had strangled this man’s humanity were thrust into a herd of pigs who promptly threw themselves into the sea. It is no surprise that the town was abuzz. As the news traveled at lightning speed, people came out of their homes to check it out for themselves. The pigs that had drowned in the sea below the cliff were there for all to see, but what was even more astounding was that their village lunatic was dressed and sitting peacefully at the feet of Jesus.

What do you think would be your response to this event if it had happened in your community? Would you be intrigued, thankful or afraid?  The townspeople in this biblical account may have experienced all of these emotions but the one that is noted is that they were afraid. Why would fear be the paramount emotion in this situation?

I believe the answer lies in our fear of change. Even abnormalities are comforting when we become used to them. The thought of having life suddenly turned upside down can cause many of us to experience anxiety, even if the change is for the better. I recently spoke to a woman named Betty who worked in an emotionally abusive environment but when given the opportunity to move into another department, struggled with the fear of the unknown. I was saddened to learn that she had chosen to remain in the unhealthy milieu because she feared moving into the unknown.

Just as the townspeople ran Jesus out of town because they were overcome with fear, I wonder how often we flee the presence of God because we fear the change that may be dawning. Have we withdrawn from intimacy with our sacred Lover because it is getting too personal and we fear having to make changes to the way we are accustomed to living?

The only way to truly counteract fear in our lives is to replace it with trust. If the townspeople had trusted that Jesus had come to offer them life in its fullest and that He had everyone’s best interest at heart, would they have embraced this Miracle Worker instead of banishing Him?  If Betty had sought after God’s will and had trusted that He was providing her a way out of the abusive workplace, would she have moved through the door that God had opened for her? If we truly trust that God loves us just as we are, would we allow His loving embrace and His extravagant love for us to seep into the core of our being and change our response to Him? Perfect love drives out fear. May our hearts be open to being filled to overflowing with the perfect love of Jesus. In that place, there will be no lunatics, abusers or Lovers to fear.

QUOTE:  “Love is what we were born with. Fear is what we learn here.” (Unknown)

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (1John 4:18 NIV).

Today’s Devotional is by Rosemary Flaaten. Her successful book, A Woman and Her Relationships helps women process their outside-of-work relationships, so now she’s delving into these 9-5 relationships in A Woman and Her Workplace. Her Relationships book won The Word Guild Award, which is Canada’s top Christian literary honor. A dynamic speaker—Rosemary challenges women of all professions to view their work as a calling and their workplaces as opportunities to live out Christ’s love. Rosemary lives with her husband and three children in Calgary, Canada.

Struggles to Snuggles

By Donna McCrary –

Snuggle means to “curl up comfortably.” What a warm, fuzzy word. The picture of the little, cuddly teddy bear from the commercials probably popped into your head. When my 7-year-old son asks me to snuggle with him before bed, I know he wants more from me than just a good night hug. He wants me to climb in his twin bed (they are called single for a reason) and curl up under his blanket to get warm. Then we intertwine as many limbs as physically possible. After all the commotion we both freeze. We stop moving and just lie there quiet and still. No movement. If we say anything during this time it is in a soft whisper. It is one of the most precious times I have with my child.

Struggle means to “make strenuous efforts to overcome an adversary or an obstacle or to proceed with great effort.” A struggle often seems too big to overcome. It requires lots of energy, focus and encouragement to get through. When I think about my own struggles through the years, each one seemed to have a point where I felt utter desperation. The Scriptures are full of people with great struggles. Ruth needed a husband. The woman at the well struggled all her life with broken marriages. David struggled with family issues. Martha struggled with busyness. Peter struggled with taking a stand for whom he believed in. Moses struggled with a disability. The struggles were real for them thousands of years ago, and they are real to you and me today.

God gives us struggles to make us snuggle with Him. Your struggle is His way of asking you to curl up comfortably with Him. Don’t just give Him a quick good night hug; curl up with Him and stay a while. Snuggle up close to Him so you will be warmed by His love. Intertwine all your body parts of life with His and then freeze. Be still and listen to His soft whispers of love, comfort, strength, reassurance as you rest in Him. It is one of the most precious times you will spend with your Father.

Without your struggle you would never go to Him to snuggle. Be thankful He cares and loves you enough to want to draw you near to Him through your struggles.

PRAYER: Father, I surrender all my struggles to You today. Help me find time in my busyness to snuggle up close and discover Your comforting strength and reassurance.

“May Your unfailing love be my comfort, according to Your promise to Your servant” (Psalm 119:76 NIV).

Today’s devotion is by Donna McCrary and Sherri Holbert. As Life Coaches, they equip women to discover their life purpose. Learn more about their study DIVAS of the Divine: How to live as a Designer Original in a Knock Off World at: www.walkofpurpose.com.

« Previous Page