Tuesday, June 7, 2005

Instant Obedience

by Donna L. Watkins

© Donna L. Watkins - Gulf Fritillary Butterflies

Aren't we all fighting for freedom? Freedom from fear? Freedom from debt? Freedom from others' expectations? Freedom from worry?

Worry is fear. No doubt about it. If we're worrying over something it's standing on the foundation of fear.

As I mentioned in a previous week's issue, I've overcome many fears, but as I pass through one I find that I have another and another. That would sound very disheartening except for the fact that each one I pass through finds me more and more freedom in Christ. The process gets easier also. It's like I know the maze a bit better and the way out is a bit quicker.

Mazes and Mice - Yes, I overcame my fear of mice also. That's one of those "everybody fears" where you say, "Everybody is afraid of mice. It's normal." Like snakes. I told myself everybody hated snakes.

I'm over the mice thing. I actually think they are the cutest things. And although I won't pick up a snake since I've never been taught how, I do love to see them and I've touched them with love in my hands at a Science Center.

I'll tell you something! There is nothing like the freedom of overcoming fear! It's better than a bungie jump! (Shall we talk about foolishness now?) Always looking for a positive way to see things, bungie jumps may be a way for somebody to overcome their fear of heights.

I've discovered that the biggest hurdle is overcoming the fear to face the fear. Fear produces emotional pain which produces health issues. We have to make that decision to deal with the fear when the Holy Spirit brings to mind that it's a problem. I think this excerpt explains it well:

"Instant obedience is the only kind of obedience there is, for delayed obedience is disobedience. Each time God calls upon us to do something, He is offering to make a covenant with us. Our part is to obey, and then He will do His part to send a special blessing. ...... Postponed obedience can never bring us the full blessing God intended or what it would have brought had we obeyed at the earliest possible moment. What a pity it is how we rob ourselves, as well as God and others, by our procrastination!" (From "Messages for the Morning Watch")

"Obedience is the fruit of Faith ..." Christina Rossetti

Consider obedience to the Holy Spirit's speaking. Does your heart long to be free of fear? You have to begin somewhere. You're not alone! Jesus holds out His hand to you. He died on the cross to give us the victory over all evil. Fear is the opposite of Faith. It is evil. Take the authority given to you and step forth to conquer.

May God's boldness and strength be with you!

Copyright and Reprint Information
All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins and may not be republished without written permission. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and an active link back to this site:
© 2000-2007 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission. Visit the author's website, TheNatureInUs.com for more articles and free email subscription. Link URL: http://www.TheNatureInUs.com

Sunday, June 5, 2005

Mind Control

by Donna L. Watkins

Does our mind control our body and health? So much research has been done on our thoughts and how they affect our body physiologically and mentally. That leads me to think about our prayers for healing. If God answered a prayer for healing and "fixed" our health problem, would it stay fixed? Would we remain totally healthy if our thoughts were part of the reason for making us unhealthy in the first place?

If our "old nature" got us into the fix, then it would take us right back into the same problems. God tells us to renew our minds and I bet there's more to that than we even realize.

Romans 12:1
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. "

In our stressful and super speed world, we don't take much thought for being a living sacrifice. We're not used to being hungry or thirsty. We are more used to having things our way and right away. God calls it our "reasonable service" to be a living sacrifice. We are commanded to not be conformed to this world and given the power to transform ourselves by renewing our minds. And in the renewal of our minds, we prove what is the perfect will of God. I do believe in that perfect will is good health because 3 John 2 says, "2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."

And there it is again ... as our soul prospers. Our soul is our mind, will and emotions, so we are back to what we allow our mind to think on. The more I keep my thoughts on things that God tells us to think of, the better I will be emotionally and physically.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there is any virtue, and if there is any praise, think on these things.

How much power do we have within to keep ourselves healthy? I ponder this often and meditate on God's words to us and I pray that you will do the same.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, help us to slow down and take time to realize what we are thinking about. What thoughts are driving us throughout the day to perform, to overdo, to feel lonely, depressed and hopeless. Help us not to allow those thoughts. Holy Spirit make us aware instantly when our thoughts are not pure, lovely and of good report. Place within us a desire to focus on Your Word and Your Truth throughout every day. Amen.

Copyright and Reprint Information
All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins and may not be republished without written permission. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and an active link back to this site:
© 2000-2008 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission. Visit the author's website, TheNatureInUs.com for more articles and free email subscription.
Link URL: http://www.TheNatureInUs.com

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