Facets of Faith

Conversations about life, faith, and friendship.

Can I Trust God When I Want to Be a ‘Fraidy Cat?

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This month the FACETS team stares fear in the face as we explore how God meets us in the midst of our ‘Fraidy Cat moments. We explore what it means to trust God and choose faith over the fear that wants to keep each one of us from fulfilling all God has for us. Check back over the next few weeks to see what Jennifer, Kim, and our special guest have to say on the topic. We all have to face fear, so I pray you learn something new that proves helpful on your own faith journey as you check back in each week.

Have you ever had to wait on something for a long time? Fear sets in when hope gets hard from too much waiting. We wonder if that thing we’ve been waiting on will ever come to pass.

It’s hard to hang onto hope when we’ve been clinging to it for a protracted period. If we were an anchor, barnacles would cover the hope lingering in our hearts. Hardly recognizable, the hope we once clung to not easily seen. It’s there, but it takes effort as we scrape the barnacles off, borrow brave, and keep eyes fixed on God and His promises.

Isn’t the question we’re really asking: Can I trust God while He has me in the wait?

I used to be extremely impatient and impulsive. Getting to my goal ─fast─ used to be my motto. Waiting wasn’t in my vocabulary.

My desire to achieve deeply rooted in fear. I feared I wasn’t good enough, so I had to excel – at everything – in order to matter for anything.  I wrestled with who I was and wondered if that (then) young woman was genuinely good for anything. I feared not. So I faked it. Hard! I thought no one knew how afraid I was. My guess now is, many people probably were well aware.

Isn’t it obvious when someone’s trying too hard?

Funny how fearing becoming a big flop became a self-fulfilling prophesy. I encountered hard times in my life, that turned out to be the best thing that ever happened.

Failure helped me come to know my Father. And in failing, I learned to fear it less. Don’t get me wrong, failing wasn’t fun. It was painful. But in the pain, there was purpose. I learned to make peace with myself. I learned who I am and how God made me. Through failure I learned I could pick myself up and try again.

God was at the helm of my life, scraping off years of rust from sitting in salt water, crustaceans eating away at the purest parts of who God made me to be. It took time. If you’ve ever restored anything, you know that’s generally the case. In time God showed me purpose. He continues to do so.

God’s always working, refining and purifying. He’s not in a hurry. And I’ve learned to be in a hurry less. If we rush the Artist, we’re likely to muddle up the masterpiece He’s working out in us.

I’ve become much more patient with myself as I’ve grown in Christ. It’s another gift God has given as I’ve journeyed with Him in the faith.  I pray He grows that grace gift in you as well, to be kind and patient with yourself.

At first, it felt like I was learning a foreign language. Unfamiliar. I wasn’t sure how to be patient with myself. The fear factor would rear and I’d go back to familiar patterns of performance. I’m more aware. I can see it sooner now and return to center – with Christ at the helm – making me brave where I once was full of fear.

These words whisper to you too, “Be patient with yourself. It’s a process. Learning to wait well takes time.”

And in that time, we also get to cuddle up with Christ. Being patient, we grow to rely on God more. It’s less about what we can do, and more about what He does as we give up control to the One who knows what He’s doing! He’s not going to make a mistake, and He’ll certainly help us make far fewer ones, even as He allows us to make some so we can learn and grow.

Time gives us opportunity to know Jesus better than we would have had we rushed the process. Time also gives us opportunity to know ourselves better. We become more certain of who we are, how God made us, and confident He made us good (even if imperfect).

It takes a bit of courage to believe God is up to something good in our lives (even when we can’t see it).  We are braver for all His barnacle scraping, because He’s giving us strong glimpses of what He really has in store for you and me.

Wait patiently for the LORD.

Be brave and courageous.

Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

~ Psalm 27:14 NLT

In the patient quiet with the Lord as He continues to help me be still, I noticed something new in Psalm 27:14 which I hadn’t seen before. Sandwiched between wait patiently were the words brave and courageous.

Wait patiently for the LORD.

Be brave and courageous.

Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

~ Psalm 27:14 NLT (emphasis added)

As the words brave and courageous jumped off the page, the Lord impressed these words upon my heart:

“Patience, the antithesis of fear.”

When we are patient and wait for the Lord, we exhibit great bravery.

When we are patient and wait for the Lord, we demonstrate courage.

In our grab-and-go world, we could succumb to fear, wondering whether the one thing we’ve been waiting for will ever come to pass or just pass us by.  We could take control and take things into our own hands – out of fear we’re not enough, or worse, out of fear God is not enough. We could think we are the master craftsman of our lives, in control of where our ship is sailing and let the fraidy cat inside of each of us win.

Or we could choose to wait patiently. Trust God. Trust His character, and that He’s doing something in ours if there’s a divine delay. Or perhaps He’s teaching us a new thing as was the case with me.

Antithesis isn’t in my everyday language. I felt led to look it up in the dictionary.

In its simplest form, antithesis means opposite.

Patience is the opposite of fear.

There’s another interesting definition of antithesis, rhethoric. The placing of a sentence or one of its parts against another to which it is opposed to form a balanced contrast of ideas, as in “Give me liberty or give me death.”

As I read that definition, another word jumped into my head. Juxtapose. Again, I had a vague knowledge of what the word meant, but felt like I was on a bit of a treasure hunt at this point.

According to dictionary.com, juxtapose means to place close together or side by side, especially for comparison or contrast.

Why the vocabulary lesson? Through language I don’t use in my everyday conversation, I realized God was speaking to me. He taught me a new way to hear His voice. Because I wasn’t in a hurry. Because I slowed down enough to be curious as a cat and let Him speak to me, I heard what was on His heart.

Brave and courageous juxtaposed on the pages of Scripture with great intention. Perhaps we are being the bravest version of ourselves when we wait patiently and cling to the hope we have in Christ and claim every promise He has given us in His Word.

Wait patiently for the LORD.

Be brave and courageous.

Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.

~ Psalm 27:14 NLT

When the wait is hard and fear wants to grab ‘hold of your heart, remember sweet child of God that you are brave. Brave women of God wait patiently. Brave women of God realize they have nothing to prove. Christ did that on a cross for you and me, so cuddle up with Him and let Him show you how brave you are while you wait patiently.

Fear says, “It’s never going to happen.”

God says, “Time will tell.”

I pray God silences the voice that taunts with fear and that God meets you in the wait as He shows you the peace, power, and preparation of abiding in His presence.

Join the conversation here or on our Facebook page.

Humor and Joy—in the Everyday

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Welcome back, friend! I (Jennifer) am thrilled to introduce our guest this month, my good friend Jenna Meister. She continues our topic this month: How has God brought joy or humor into your life?

I have the honor of knowing Jenna’s heart and her beautiful family. I love her and all the Meisters—and so does everyone who gets to know them. Jenna shares in her authentic style, so get ready. Her story is real and reflects the “mommy of littles life” that she lives every day. I hope you love meeting my friend.

Hello! I am Jenna, wife of my hero husband and mother of four young children. I serve alongside my husband, Tim, in ministry where we collide head-on into amazing, crazy, fun teenagers. I also have the privilege to serve our young women’s ministry. These are just a few of my roles. I giggle at the crazy my life has become. I don’t mean the “busy” kind of crazy (yes, we’re busy) but rather, the constant moving parts of our family, ministry, marriage, friends, opportunities, and disappointments that make every day a beautiful story.

In our busyness, it is easy to lose sight of today. The beauty of laughter and joy can get lost in the middle of it all…

Laughter and joy.
We must first understand that they are very different. I laugh. A lot. I also feel pain deeply. However, in pain or peace, joy sustains you. Let me share examples.

2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” 3 Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!  Psalms 126:2-3

Last Thanksgiving, I was driving to my in-laws’ house. Tim and my oldest daughter led the way in one car while we followed. We went a different different route, cutting through back roads that were not familiar to me. About half way there, one offspring shouted, “I have to pee!” (all the mamas nod and smile). We were between small towns, and I had no idea when we would arrive at the next usable restroom (by usable, I mean clean—and all the mamas nod and smile). So I did what any dignified mother would do. I pulled off onto the next quiet road and parked. I proceeded to assist said offspring to pee in the grass. Then the next one shouts “Me, too!” (repeat steps until all children are happy, pee free, and buckled in). Then it was my turn. Yes, folks, I said it. I needed to go, too.

I should mention that it was raining, and the grass was slippery… In mid-stream I slipped. Pee everywhere. Now what? Well, I couldn’t very well put my jeans back on! I took my pants off, tossed them on the floor, and jumped into the driver’s seat. No big deal, right? I would call Tim when we arrived, and he would bring me pants. I started to drive, and a still, small voice whispered, “If you get pulled over, how will you explain why you have no pants?” I pulled off the road again, took a deep breath, and got out of the van. Butt naked. I found pants in my luggage and started driving again. Twenty minutes later I was pulled over for speeding. (I got a warning. Praise God, I had pants on!) When the Holy Spirit tells you to put your pants on, put your pants on! I tell you this story because I am still laughing!

Laughing every day is important! When a child pounces on you at 5:30am… When you put the cereal in the fridge and milk in the cabinet… When you have awkward encounters… When you find yourself in bizarre situations… Laugh. And laugh again. Enjoy this gift that brings healing.

A cheerful heart is good medicine… Proverbs 17:22

Joy…
Joy doesn’t equate laughter. Joy brings hope that your story is still being written. When all is right in your world, joy cannot be mistaken. However, joy is also present in pain.

Last year, I had an unexpected pregnancy. We giggled at God’s desire to bless us in spite of our planning. God had overcome the impossible! We couldn’t stop laughing! We had to see a doctor to remove the birth control option we had prayerfully chosen two years earlier. He said baby was perfect, and all would be well. We started making plans. We stayed up late dreaming of what our family would become after the little one arrived. A few days later, the miscarriage began. Nothing could be done. No one could fix it. And God didn’t change it. “The tears did not come from my eyes or throat but from somewhere much deeper,” I heard someone say once. There is no other way to describe it. Tim and I were both devastated.

But joy—

Joy was always there. It is not happiness or an emotional high. Rather, joy is the gift found at the very roots of our faith. In our grief, we knew that this child was in the hands of the Creator. We cannot understand the whys and what ifs, but we can confidently say that our current reality is not our finality. We grab hold of joy and hang on with every fiber of our being.

Yes, joy is found when you’re at peace with the world. But we cannot forget that it is present when disappointment is real. Joy is not determined by outside circumstances but what is found within. It is a worthy pursuit—because where joy meets the roots of your faith, Jesus is there. And He is enough…

No soul that seriously and constantly desires joy will ever miss it. Those who seek find. To those who knock it is opened. C. S. Lewis

Suffering and the Delight of God

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It’s all giggles here at Facets of Faith this month, something the three of us do quite well. This month we’re sharing how we see God’s humor through our lives. Be sure to check out Tracy and Jen’s posts before you check mine out below!

My husband loves to make me laugh. He tickles me, tells silly stories, sends goofy memes and gifs all to entice a giggle or two. I used to think he was plain goofy, but now I realize he simply delights in making me laugh and seeing me smile. And I’ll tell you a secret, I bask in his delight, even on days I may roll my eyes more than giggle.

There’s been much heartache up until these middle years of mine. Death, divorce, heartbreak. It’d be easy to stay sullen and allow bitterness to take root. After my daughter died, I prayed against that. I didn’t want to become that bitter woman who lost her joy even though death snatched her daughter away. I didn’t want to stay focused on all I lost, even though it was considerable. I wanted to embrace what was good. And in the goodness were hidden moments of laughter.

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven…A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 NLT

I remember hanging in the hospital about a week after fire destroyed our home. The visitation and celebration of my daughter’s life were over, space where stories of Emma’s love for her family, her giggles at all things flatulence, and her simple joy of animals were shared. We giggled through tears as we remembered Emma jumping on the bed as little toots escaped her behind.

The long days of grief loomed before me while we still waited on news about her dad, who had suffered burns in the fire. I stood with my brother, making plans about, well, something. I can’t seem to remember what it was, but I do remember the laughter that took us both by surprise.

That’s the funny thing about grief – it robs us of certain memories while illuminates others. I remember telling my brother I’d look something up on the computer once I got home. It took a moment for my statement to catch up with reality.

Home. My home was destroyed by fire. Call it hysteria, lack of sleep, or a precious gift of laughter to lighten the moment, but my brother and I started giggling as I pretended to plug in the computer at various heights in our wall, searching for power.  Where in the world would it fit? The wall no longer existed.

I know, you had to be there. But that’s what laughter and humor is about at times, isn’t it? A moment when you are fully present as a comment or look tickles your funny bone. And then the giggles begins to erupt from the depth of your broken heart until it spills out to those around you and you realize you’re able to endure a little while longer.

I still giggle as I remember that moment, that gulp of fresh air at the beginning of the long road of grief. A tender gift shared with my brother from the One who created laughter.

Have you ever thought about that? Where laughter began? Do we learn to laugh or is it something God instills in us, creating this gift that not only allows us to endure life, but enjoy it? Not sure? Jump over to YouTube and search “baby laughs”. Then be prepared to laugh . . . for hours, because baby giggles are. the. best. Don’t believe me? Try it. I dare you. (insert winky-eye emoji here)

As I think about this gift of laughter, another reality begins to settle. If I enjoy laughter and giggles, and Scripture says that I’m made in God’s image (Genesis (9:6), then surely that means God enjoys laughter, too. Doesn’t that mean that maybe, somehow, He laughs? That He might even delight in my laughter? In yours?

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17, NLT

Allow that to settle over your weary or heavy burdened heart for a moment. God delights in you. He loves to see you laugh, and even creates moments to bring laughter to you. Think about a giraffe or a platypus (Jen talked about this last week). Or a rainbow decorating the sky after a storm. Have you ever sat in wonder as giggles erupted within your soul in pure joy of God’s goodness? Of His creativity?

I think that’s why God gave me my husband and his sheer delight in making me laugh. I think God gifted this man to me as a physical reminder of His delight in me. Of redeeming the tears and the sorrow that has filled much of my adult life. Of providing a tiny glimpse of the joy and laughter that awaits me, that awaits us, once we’re in His presence at home.

Never again will you be called “The Forsaken City” or “The Desolate Land.” Your new name will be “The City of God’s Delight” and “The Bride of God,” for the Lord delights in you and will claim you as his bride.” Isaiah 62:4, NLT

How has God shown you His humor? When have you experienced the gift of laughter?

 

 

 

Join the conversation, or even share a memory or two by posting below or jumping over to our Facebook page. We’d love to hear from you!