Flash back to Friday morning… I have just finished a meeting with a couple of coworkers. As I’m heading for the door I hear one of them call out. I am now looking behind me…trying to continue a meeting that has already ended. However, I’m still heading for the door. And then…SMACK. I walk straight into a cabinet. Missing the door by a good three feet or so. How embarrassing…
How many times have I done this in my life? Focusing on what has already ended while trying to head for the door. To a new beginning. Only to be thwarted by my own efforts. In that moment I felt the Holy Spirit say, “You question why you aren’t getting anywhere. You wonder why I have not opened new doors for you. Perhaps they are wide open, but you’re too busy looking back. Spending time where the hand has already past. Your consequence? You’re stuck making your own obstacles. Making the enemy’s job too easy.”
Now move to today’s message at church. The three categories of fear.
- Fear of the past.
- Fear of the present.
- Fear of the future.
Let’s really focus in on past. As Pastor put it, “The past always has an opportunity to haunt. And when it haunts, it strangles.”
Failures. Relationships. Missed opportunities. They demand our attention. They call our eyes from the current journey. The problem is, our feet can’t stop moving as time never stands still. Leaving us to blindly navigate the present…scared out of our minds.
This message was everything I needed to hear. The answer to my cries from the night before. “God, why am I facing this? How am I supposed to make it through?” It was as if He lovingly grabbed my face with both hands. Ya know, like when you’re a kid and your grandma is trying to get your attention?
“Erika, you’re making it through right now. As we speak, your feet are shuffling forward. If only you would stop turning around, you would see the progress we are making.”
But another point was hit even harder. In the moments where we feel our blindest, there are people who are willing to be our guides. To be the snapping fingers that keep us facing forward. The pull to our push.
Today, I was reminded once again why Church is important.
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. ~ Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
I can’t explain the encouragement that comes from watching an entire church surround one who is struggling. The selflessness and vulnerability of sharing your struggles with someone going through the same thing. This is church. This is family. This is what God intended for His people. He never leaves us, but it takes faith to believe since it can’t be seen. He knew we would struggle with such a truth. So He gave us His church. The place filled with family and love. With compassion and humility.
The place where this fortress goes to be fortified.
Therefore encourage and comfort one another and build up one another, just as you are doing. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11 AMP
This life isn’t about looking back. It’s not about silently drowning in your own heartache. It’s about family. Guidance. Love. Compassion. Hope.
When left to our own devices, we tend to get sidetracked. Or should I say backtracked. But thank God, for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
My God, thank You for the body of believers You have drawn me to. Thank you for a people who do as Your Word says…Rejoicing with those who rejoice, and weeping with those who weep (Romans 12:15). The ultimate hospital. And the lighthouse that grows brighter every day.
With gratitude,
From Her Fortress. ❤
From Her Fortress 