"Sometimes every one of us fears
Like we'll never be healed
Sometimes
Sometimes every one of us aches
Like we'll never be saved
Sometimes…
…When we've given up,
Let Your healing come
When there's nothing left,
Let Your healing come
'Til we're risin' up
Let your healing come
Where You go we will follow
Where You go we will follow"
Sometimes by David Crowder Band
Sometimes, the pressure of doing what society says is 'right' outweighs my courage to follow God.
I know. I know. Why would these two things differ?
Why is there a conflict?
Doesn't God want us to do what is right?
Yes, I believe God wants us to do what is right, but what is right according to His word is somewhat uncertain at times. Of course, there are some clear guidelines that I believe God intends us to follow. We are told to:
"Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you."
Matthew 5:42
"…Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…"
Matthew 5:44
"And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."
Mark 11:25
But, we are also told that:
"It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Matthew 4:4 (Deuteronomy 8:3)
And
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me."
John 10:27
This past year has been spent learning to hear the Lord speak to me in that still small voice and often times that still small voice defied my logic and challenged my understanding of right and wrong. I am certain of the things God spoke, but I am still trying to question God in case He changed His mind along the way and I missed the memo.
The pressure of what I am convinced is expected of me by my family and friends and people I meet along the way has weighed so heavily on me that I have been too anxious to rest in the confidence I should have from what the Lord has already spoken.
Most of my life, I have been so overly concerned with the acceptance and approval of those around me. I constantly fear that my words or actions would cause rejection so I could never fully surrender my heart to the Lord.
The other day, God did the most amazing thing! He showed me that I am right where He wants me and that He is ok with me. I cannot even explain what happened other than experiencing a freedom my heart has never previously known. For the first time in my life, I believe God has given me the courage to follow Him without allowing the perceived rejection from people around me to continue to cripple me. I am free to enjoy the blessing of where He has me and the security in knowing He is my provider.
I know this post is about what God has done for me, but that is only to bring glory to God and give you hope that He can do the same for you. If you are struggling with the same fears and holding back from giving your heart fully to the Lord, please feel free to send me a message and I will gladly pray for you. The Lord is good and He longs to heal us.
"So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."
1 John 4:16-18
