Hello there (in my Tabitha voice…if you don’t know Tabitha Brown…you’re missing out).
Gosh, I hope that you all are well. I know it’s been a while since you’ve had an in-person SoulfulMOTION Class in GR, but…life. What have I been doing lately? Well, I’ve been learning about myself. I have not had a break from SoulfulMOTION in the six years we’ve been up and running, and to have the last month off was necessary for both me and my family. We’ve now got our groove down with school, and working from home. I’ve also been enjoying the cool nights that we’ve been gifted here in Michigan, and trying to perfect my cozy nest. The cool, crisp nights and bits of rain bring me so much peace.
Peace is something that I had taken for granted before the pandemic started. Prior to the pandemic, I really felt like my personal peace was at an all-time high, as I felt harmony in most personal relationships, and generally felt secure. Since March, that has changed drastically, and it seems that every time I jump on social media, look at the news, talk to people…I become overwhelmed with the current state of our nation, people’s opinions on what is right, racism, sexism, politics, policing, mom-ing, how to mom, virtual school, in-person school, etc. While dealing with it all, unfortunately I’ve learned that when my peace is disturbed, it’s 328493875934 times easier for fear to enter my heart and mind.
Fear, is one of satan’s greatest schemes that he uses against us to move us further away from God. When we become fearful, we start to question God, and start to take things into our own hands. Many of us may have experienced the fear of an invisible yet very present coronavirus, fear of the unknown, not knowing about jobs, fear of our future, fear of yours or a family member’s health outcome, etc. Fear happens. However, how we respond to that fear, will either give satan more power to continue to move forward on your thoughts and in your life, or to allow God to have His way in your life. When we are fearful, we give the enemy the upper hand to cause more anxiety, more worry, and more instability in our thoughts.
Roman’s 8:38-39 says: And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Gosh, that’s amazing!! Nothing, not even our fears for today or tomorrow, can separate us from God’s love. I’m so grateful, God.
I’ve learned to set myself up for peace (aka…deleting all the people and things from my life that cause me worry, pain, depression, anxiety, etc.), and to keep my eyes fixed on the Lord. I love knowing that I can just wrap myself up in God’s arms with His word to comfort me. God’s word is so perfect and good…we just have to do the work and run to Him for all of our needs…even when we’re afraid.
My challenge to you all is that you will set yourself up for peace, and not let fear rule in your heart and mind this season. Grab a sticky note or a dry erase marker, and write down three things that you can do this month to bring more peace into your life. Stick it on your bathroom mirror or write it on your mirror, to remind yourself that you can take steps to bring peace into your situation. Next, pray. Ask God to remove fear, anxiety, and worry from your heart and mind. God did not give you a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Rest in His promises, protect your peace, and block that fear from your life. God’s got you this season, and always.
Blessings to you all, and I can’t wait to see you soon!
Image by Ben White on Unsplash.