God, Heal My Unbelief

God, Heal My Unbelief

The biggest struggle of Christians is unbelief.

Yes, we Christians are born again and attend church and pray and read the Bible.

But. . .

in day-to-day living — between paying bills, helping with homework, and finding time to laugh — we Christians doubt God more than we care to admit.

Did God really say we can cast our cares on him? If I believed him, why this worry? Was he joking about consider it joy when you face trials of many kinds? If I believed him, why do I balk when life goes awry?

Thank God there’s hope for us.

“If You Can?”

Without confidence in God, it is impossible to worship unless, of course, I am asking our God to strengthen my belief like the father described in the Gospel of Mark.

Do you remember the biblical account?

A father’s son was possessed by a demon, causing the boy to convulse, foam at the mouth, and gnash his teeth.

Desperate, the dad asked Jesus for help. A crowd had gathered. “How long has he been like this?” Jesus asked.

“From childhood,” the father replied. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

“If you can?” said Jesus.

(Let’s pause. Jesus knew he could. The father had gently questioned Jesus’ ability – possibly he recalled the disciples’ inability to drive out the demon – but Jesus knew he had the power. The more important question: the dad’s belief.)

Jesus continued, “Everything is possible for him who believes.”

Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:21-24)

Embracing Honesty

The man’s raw honesty warms me like a bowl of chili in January. I want to hug him. I hope I’ll get the chance in heaven. But until then, I’ll settle for knowing that I’m not the only one who struggles with belief.

The type of belief I’m talking about isn’t the one-time decision of belief in Jesus as Savior and Lord of her life. This one-time decision secured the new believer’s eternal destiny: heaven. (Past tense!)

We who’ve made this decision are declared children of God. Chosen, blessed, forgiven and redeemed. You cannot do, think or say anything to cause God to love you any more. Or any less. God completely loves you.

Continually Believing

Continually believing is tough. It’s moment-by-moment belief.

Do I continually believe God will provide what I need today? Do I continually believe he is good even if one of my kids gets badly hurt? Or worse? Do I continually believe God’s Word that he hates divorce? Do I continually believe he has my best interests in mind?

What if I get cancer? Or we go bankrupt? Or my neighbor shows off her brand-new Audi while my Civic pushes 120,000 and needs a brake job? What if my Bible study sister can’t kick her drug addiction for good?

What if I can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong with me? That I’m not a good-enough mom? Or a good-enough friend? That what I do and think don’t really matter?

What if I’m afraid I can’t handle the ugly stuff of life? That I’m not strong enough?

Then God reminds me: He can. He can handle the uglies.

When I am weak, he is strong.

Oh Lord, help me overcome my unbelief. I am needy.

photo caption: http://www.flickr.com/photos/seyyed_mostafa_zamani/5771861523/

Question: Where do you struggle with unbelief? Your finances? Your job? Your family? Your health? God loves you.

Hopefully Yours,

Becoming Fearless

 God wants you to conquer your fears. He delights in your deliverance.

Fearless — kinda — I took a dive. Literally.

I’m not afraid of heights. I’m afraid of pain. This day the water beckoned. I thought, if I can do this, this dive, then I’ll become fearless.

 You gotta start somewhere, right?

Fearless Climb

Climbing the ladder in my floral tankini, eyes wide, heart pumping, I reached the top. In all my 47 years, I had never never never dove off the high dive. Jumped, yes. Head first, no.

This day I decided to face my fear that I’d rotate on the way down, land flat on my back, and die. Okay, not die. But hurt bad, real bad, from the sting and from embarrassment.

I hate to confess this fear and another one: The crazy economy rocked me like a boat on the Sea of Galilee in a storm. I took my eyes off Jesus.

Many nights I woke at 12:01. Always 12:01. An anxious 12:01.

As I toed the edge of the diving board, I looked down and wasn’t afraid. The water actually looked close. I bent my knees, stretched my arms overhead, and let myself fall.

A new problem: When I sliced the water, my bottoms slid.

As yanked up the cloth while kicking to the surface, exhilaration filled my heart. I hit the air, breathed deep, and knew my fear had evaporated. Isn’t victory glorious? When have you faced a fear and come through with a smile and fist pump?

New Fearless Pattern

This, this day a new pattern emerge to face my fears: disappointing people, rejection, even trusting God to take of my family finances. He clothes the wildflowers, right? And feeds sparrows? He keeps the earth spinning and made the stars. The gospel is victory. The gospel is love.

You are a conqueror, present tense. Listen:

In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Question: What is one of your fears? I’ll pray for you.

Sharing hope with your heart,

lucy-signature-blue

 

 

Ever Have One of THOSE Days?

Are you experiencing an awful day? Week? Year? God wants you to experience joy — yes, joy — in your crazy circumstances because He is so much BIGGER than them.

You and I endure days, months, even years when everything seems to go wrong.

My friend Sweetie told me of a crazy day when her washer overflowed her kitchen with bubbles on. . .

her wedding day.

We giggled as she divulged the wild details and drew a hilarious word picture.

Hot Hot Hot

A couple summers ago, my family zipped north fun in the sun, and my ancient minivan’s A/C decided enough is enough and belched hot air. The old Lucy would have grumbled, harrumphed. Loudly. The new Lucy — who like many of you has faced financial setbacks in this “new” economy — rolled with it. I put my hair in a pony, grabbed a cool water bottle, and read my Jodi Picoult novel as my hubby drove and the teens listened to tunes.

Overflowing bubbles on a wedding day and hot air on summer getaway are NOTHING compared to the grief you may face today. Joblessness, a lonely marriage, a teen on drugs, poor health. What do you need most?

A bible verse? Probably not.

A chicken casserole? Nah.

An “it’ll be okay” sentiment. No way.

What You Need

You need what Jesus needed. Someone to listen, to encourage. Jesus turned to his heavenly Father and spoke to him in prayer and listened . We can pray too, of course. Prayer is our lifeline of love.

Several years ago I completed my studies in Pastoral Care to Women at Western Seminary, Portland, Ore, and began counseling women at my church and in my community. When Skype came on the scene, I began counseling women via Skype too. I also received certification in biblical counseling from the Association of Biblical Counselors.

The counseling I provide is biblical counseling. It is rooted in God, exalts Jesus Christ, is empowered by the Holy Spirit, and is loving  and compassionate. God himself testifies to the effectiveness of counseling His Word:

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3).

A Hellish Marriage Restored

A few years ago, I biblically counseled woman just days after she left her emotionally and spiritually abusive husband, taking her small children across country with her. A mutual friend called me and  introduced us.

Scared and tired, “Shana” related a story of progressive emotional abuse, causing her to doubt her decisions regarding almost everything — her choice of clothes, hairstyle, family meals, and so on. Our mutual friend said that in college, Shana demonstrated great confidence in God and in making godly decisions. Her seminary-trained husband misused scripture to “put (her) in her place” and “demand obedience” from her.

As we got to know each other and as I heard more of her story, I encouraged and comforted Shana. Later we considered what God says to women who’ve been abused and to married women in general about marriages, the heart, and right living. We met eight times over three months.

God provided a godly man knowledgeable of abuse to counsel Shana’s husband, who had moved to her new town. While they lived separately, the husband continued counseling and repented of his sins against his wife, their children, and God. About a year later, the couple reunited and now experience a loving marriage that honors God.

Do You Want Help Too?

If you’re having “one of those days” or weeks or years, you probably need a godly friend to encourage you. Perhaps God has provided someone in your church to counsel you biblically. Maybe you do not attend a church and need someone to help ASAP. Feel free to check out my page on counseling on my website. I’d love to answer questions you have.

May our great God continue to bless you, as I know He will. Ephesians 1:3

With Joy Overflowing!

did God really say that?

Did God Really Say That?

When the crafty serpent queried Eve, “Indeed, has God said. . .” (Genesis 3:1), women and men (kids, too) have challenged the Word of God, better know as the Bible, the sixty-six books, from Genesis to Revelation, inspired by the Holy Spirit that make up the counsel of God.

God is THE greatest counselor ever.

Through millenniums, people and evil supernatural beings have challenged God’s counsel, its authority, its truthfulness, and its application to human life.

Chicken Flap

Take the controversy over the definition of marriage. God created marriage (Genesis 2) and defined it. The concept of marriage originated in the mind of God. He defined it as the sacred union between one man and one woman. The covenant of marriage is a visible picture of the invisible relationship between Christ and His Bride, the Church.

As you know, a whole bunch of people — and I won’t name names — want marriage redefined to include same-sex couples. Hence, the Chick-Fil-A flap and the resulting same sex “kiss-in.”

The “redefiners” challenge God’s Word, which is perfect and true. They basically are saying God’s a liar and Satan speaks truth. God forbid!

So Now What?

This year the flap is Chick-Fil-A. Next year it’ll be something else.

While the specific challenge changes from year to year, the argument does not. The gist of the argument is always, “Indeed, has God said?” That is, does His Word really have authority over this or that, such as my ungodly anger toward my spouse or my daughter’s pity party? Does His Word have relevance today? Does it speak to the whole of human existence, including emotions and thoughts and behavior?

Does God’s Word point to solutions leading to contentment and peace?

Yes and yes and YES.

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. (2 Peter 1:3)

Do you know how to get a hold of this truth and make it a reality in your life?

This peace? This contentment? This abundant joy overflowing?

Hint: It begins with your continual decision for Christ to rule your life.

Please finish this sentence. If I experienced peace and contentment daily, then my life would ________________.

Do you want a life marked by peace and contentment? You can have it now. May I invite you to look at my counseling page? It has helpful information for you.

With Joy Overflowing!

 

laughter and your TOP 5 FRIDAY

This week’s question on my Facebook page: Laughter is medicine for the soul. What gives you a good laugh?

Thanks for your responses. They show that you value laughter. I knew you were a fun bunch. And that’s wonderful news since laughter is an important aspect to SUPER SELF CARE. Do you know what God says about laughter and its healing effects? Find out here.

Here are the “good laugh” top 5:

1. A hilarious moves.

2. Good times with a good friend.

3. Patsy Clairmont.

4. My grandkids.

5. My husband.

Among the individual funny responses was, “My boyfriend chasing the ice cream truck that was in our complex!” Can you picture it?

As a treat, here is a short clip of the Christian comedienne Patsy Clairmont and her courageous story. 😉

With Joy Overflowing!

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