Faithfulness

*The thoughts expressed today are in addition to my 9/12/22 podcast at Chronicles of a Delivered Pit Dweller. Listen on Spotify, Amazon, & Apple Music*

Hypotheticals in an already anxious mind can be paralyzing. Over the last few days as I’ve been stuck at home resting with COVID, I’ve had a lot of empty time to think and imagine and conceive of possible ways that I could royally screw up this weekend during our FREEDOM Conference. My voice could give out on me. I could say the wrong thing at the wrong time, or not say the right thing at the right time. I could forget everything the Lord has put on my heart to share. I could totally forget the words to the songs we’ve been practicing for weeks. It could very well be a disaster…or so my mind is leading me to believe in each of these scenarios.

I was mindlessly scrolling through Facebook a few moments ago, seeing but not seeing anything, if that makes sense. And I came across a post from Steven Furtick’s page. It says:

“Some of your suffering is not because of your situation; it’s because of your story. The enemy will just make up stuff that might happen and emphasize the hypothetical.

But remember, the enemy doesn’t have any power over you that your thought patterns don’t give him. Stop rehearsing the story of fear, and start telling the story of God’s faithfulness.”

There is that word ‘faithfulness’ again.

A fire was lit under my tookus in that moment, and I realized I was afraid of events in the future–a future that’s not even promised–and allowing that fear to cripple me in the present. So, I wrangled the little bit of energy I had and came to my desk and opened my laptop. Tonight I want to change my anxious thoughts into ones of gratitude as I remember how God has been faithful to me in times past. And I want to share it with you.

Maybe this is kind of like counting my blessings?

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CHRONICLE OF HIS FAITHFULNESS #1

I used to attend Celebrate Recovery regularly at my church and before that season came to an end, I was part of leadership there. Part of my duties were to lead small group AND to teach a lesson to large group approximately every 8 weeks. The first time I was assigned to teach I can remember being so pumped that I had a message to share and maybe in a different way than what was typical for us. But, just before I was supposed to teach, I had a mild panic attack outside the doors, and my sponsor had to pray over me. I was absolutely terrified that I would sound stupid or be totally boring. The thought of so many eyeballs staring and ears listening to and possibly dissecting everything I said and how I said it became so overwhelming I almost backed out at the last second. But, I pushed through that night, and God was faithful. He showed up and the Holy Spirit spoke through me. From what I understand, people heard things in a different way that night that changed their way of thinking in some areas.

Over the course of a few months during that season, I taught two more classes. I was nervous and anxious before each one, always thinking of the hypothetical, face-plant scenarios. Never once did they happen…because God was faithful. On a side note, though…even if I did face-plant, I’d like to think that God would be faithful in that, too. Just because I mess up or don’t do well doesn’t mean God isn’t faithful, right?

CHRONICLE OF HIS FAITHFULNESS #2

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT

Over the last six months I have had temptations come at me from all angles: a charming man, and the illusion of a charming substance. Each time, I have had to draw on the strength of Jesus to walk away. It was a challenge each time, but what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians is true. He doesn’t allow temptations that we can’t handle. But how did I handle it? With the strength of Jesus in me…because He is faithful.

CHRONICLE OF HIS FAITHFULNESS #3

I think I am an introvert. I like to be by myself. I enjoy time alone. After a long day at work being around so many different kinds of people with so many different personalities, the one thing I look forward to is the 35-40 minute drive home–alone. Last year after I became an official member of my church, I felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit to volunteer in one particular ministry within my church. I fought this for the longest time because it would require me to step completely out of my comfort zone and be more of an extrovert than I actually am. I finally obeyed and offered to serve on this ministry, and it has been such an amazing experience, y’all. I’ve met so many wonderful people, and I’ve been able to share bits and pieces of my story with some of them. Every Sunday that I am able to serve, something happens on the inside that gives me courage to step outside of what is comfortable and do what God has called me to do. Maybe it’s only a smile and a ‘Good Morning’ but it’s my obedience that God is after. And in that obedience He has been faithful. Faithful to give me courage and teach me a thing or two about having a servants heart.

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I have so many more examples, but I am going to stop there for tonight.

Please let me encourage you: If there is something in your future that you are afraid of, don’t listen to the enemy and all the hypothetical scenarios he might be helping you create in your mind. Most often, those things never happen. Instead, remember how God has been faithful to you in times past. Has he brought you through difficult times? Has He given you the courage to do something you were once afraid to do? Has He made the impossible possible? Use that to increase your faith and give you courage to face whatever is coming next! If God has been so faithful to me, I know He will be or has been just as faithful to you!

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is FAITHFUL. Hebrews 10:23 NIV

**I would love to hear YOUR stories of God’s faithfulness! Please feel free to leave me a comment on this blog or send me an email at utzamanda1@gmail.com with your story!!**