Brave Is For the Small Things, Too

April 23, 2015 by shellyafaust@gmail.com

Every new year I ask God to give me a word, scripture or theme as a focus for the next fifty-two weeks. It was January and I was in the middle of the Bahamas on the Klove Cruise. Still no word for the year but I was determined to hear God speak. I asked my friend and cabin-mate Angie to pray and believe with me.

Little did I know my word for the year would be thrown at me (literally) before I had my second cup of coffee the next morning.

We made our way to the front of the theater to get up close and personal with Bob Goff for our early morning devotion. If you’ve ever heard Bob speak or read his book, Love Does, you know he has a habit of giving away medals of bravery and such. As he was talking about brave and courageous, he tossed a medal to the audience and it landed right at my feet. I knew instantly this was the word I’d been asking God for but part of me wanted to leave it there on the floor (or throw it to my neighbor). Because BRAVE is a big word, right? Brave is for the hard stuff. Brave is the leave-your-comfort-zone and jump-off-the-cliff and look-fear-in-the-face-and-do-it-anyway kind of word.

All the stuff I’d been posting about but never really doing.

Yes, brave is a big word.

But brave is for the small things, too. Brave is for all the things that look like the small things but are actually the big things.

Like believing God will do what He says He will do.

And trusting that even when we can’t, He can.

Like writing that hard blog post or finishing your book or speaking in front of a group or having that conversation you’ve been putting off.

Like keeping covenants when you don’t want to, sticking to commitments even when it’s hard, going when God says go, and staying when God says stay.

So this morning I made a list of faith statements for those times my heart wants to feel the opposite of brave, whether in the big things or the small things. And maybe life is requiring you to be brave, too? This is me, friend, throwing you a medal.

If I have faith the size of a mustard seed, I will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to me (Matthew 17:20).
With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).
I will be strong and courageous. I will not be terrified or discouraged because the Lord my God goes with me wherever I go (Joshua 1:9).
Because I know His name, I will trust in Him. He has never forsaken those who seek Him and He will never forsake me (Psalm 9:10).
I put my hope in God alone and my soul finds rest (Psalm 62:5).
I will trust God and acknowledge Him in all I do and He will make my paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).
God has not given me a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7)
Because I have set the Lord before me, I will not be shaken or moved (Psalm 16:8)

Today, I’m joining Suzie Eller and a host of other #brave women as we all learn to #livefree. You can read their stories HERE.

Negative Thoughts & Discouragement

April 8, 2015 by shellyafaust@gmail.com

This morning my right arm ached, reminding me of lymph nodes removed in surgery ten years ago. This, in the middle of waiting once again for the results of another biopsy taken just last week. No matter how many years pass or how many biopsies I have, my mind is prone to wander. I heard a lot of what if’s while waiting.

And then recently I found myself (once again) comparing myself to other women. I heard things like “You’re not enough, You’ll never ____, You can’t ____. . . ”

Last week I started thinking of all the ways I’ve failed at home school this year. I heard things like “You shouldn’t have, I can’t believe you ____, You’ll never ____. . . ”

Geez Louis. Do you see a pattern?

One thing I’ve learned is the importance of recognizing unhealthy, negative thoughts and tossing them in the trash right where they belong as quickly as possible.

Thankfully, I’ve come a long way in this area. That doesn’t mean I don’t still have these thoughts. I’m just less generous with the power I give them.

Learning to recognize the poison of negative thinking before it invades our minds enables us to make decisions based on truth rather than fear. The Word of God is the perfect antidote to the sneaky tactics and lies of the enemy.

But what happens when we’re caught off guard? When we aren’t so quick to recognize an assignment that’s been sent against us to make us stumble or get us off track?

A few months ago I stood at my bathroom sink in a small pool of water. After a careful investigation, I discovered the source of the problem. A slow drip from some pipes at the back of the cabinet had – over the course of many weeks or longer – soaked through everything and finally made its way to the floor.
Because we were unaware of the leak and did not fix it when it started, the water did some extensive damage. My husband had to rip out, replace, and rebuild a large section of my cabinet. I also had to discard some stored items that had been ruined one drip at a time.

In the same way, negative thinking – if not recognized and fixed quickly – can cause extensive damage one thought at a time. We can quickly become drenched in a pool of discouragement.

I don’t know about you but I’ve stood in a pool of discouragement before and it is no fun.

Discouragement disconnects our hearts from the place we gather courage.

It displaces us. It dis-appoints us from our assignments. Tells us we’re not up for the challenge. Removes us from the game. Causes us to forget who we are and whose we are.

Discouragement tempts us to focus inward, on ourselves, and moves us to a place of despair. In a moment of despair we can make unwise decisions, lose hope, and position ourselves for defeat. We must not park our hearts and thoughts in a place where discouragement can take root.

When our hearts rest on the problem we get discouraged. When our hearts rest on the answer we find courage and strength.

Anytime I’m discouraged I always think of David’s story in I Samuel 30. In verse six David is “greatly distressed” and the way he gets out of this place is by encouraging himself in the Lord his God. He finds strength to “recover all” (vs. 19).

If you’re in a place of discouragement today, there is hope. You too can find the strength to recover all!

Be quick to recognize negative thoughts or any other door the enemy tries to open in your life so that discouragement can come in.
Search God’s Word for truth. Find scriptures and promises of hope and park your mind and heart there.
Be brave and reach out to someone. We were made for community. And Proverbs 11:25 says when we refresh others, we will be refreshed. Let’s pray for and encourage each other.

As always, you have an open invitation here to leave your prayer requests in a comment or send me a private email.

(Update: Since writing this post I have received a good report from my biopsy mentioned above.)

Scriptures

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Is 26:3 NLT

“Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 Amp

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” 2 Cor 10:4-5 NKJV

“Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” 1 Samuel 30:6 NKJV

“The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 NLT

His Words Tucked into Ordinary Moments

February 20, 2015 by shellyafaust@gmail.com

It’s early and my youngest and I begin our one hour trip to his weekly Robotics class. We talk homeschool and weather and baseball.

“You know, the Bible says that God orders our steps,” I share, “and I believe He has ordered your steps by placing you on the exact team with the exact coach He wants you with.”

“And,” I continue, “I’m sure He plans to use you there if you will allow Him to. Maybe you could pray for your team before games or whatever else you feel the Holy Spirit asking you to do. I know He has called you to be a leader. He will show you what to do when the time is right.”

He nods his head in agreement and I hope these words I tuck into ordinary moments find their way to his heart.

He waves goodbye and two minutes later my phone rings with the news that class has been canceled. My hearts sinks. What kind of mother drops her child off for class when there is no class?

I make a u-turn and quickly swing into the first parking spot I see.

“We are so sorry! We handed out notes last week and apologize that you did not get one.”

My mind wanders back to last week and I remember our early departure to get back home in time for a Valentine’s party.

I smile and try to hide my embarrassment, frustration, and a million other emotions as we make our way to the nearest Chick-Fil-A.

Some small talk with the friendly counter attendant (who, by the way, is also a homeschooler) provides a possible opportunity to turn our day around when he encourages us to visit the park across the street before we go home.

“There’s a park across the street? Thank you. We might just do that.”

As I sit down the Holy Spirit reminds me of some words shared by my friend, Lisa, on her blog recently. This unexpected moment invites me to pause and listen and I find confirmation as I open my Bible and record these scriptures in my journal:

If you stop listening to instruction, my child, you will turn your back on knowledge (Proverbs 19:27).
Moreover, He said to me, “Son of man, take into your heart all my words which I will speak to you and listen closely.” (Ezekiel 3:10)

I hear my own words from this morning whispered back to me in a question.

“Do you believe I am the One who orders YOUR steps?”

I close my eyes and surrender the restructuring of my day. Yes, Lord.

The next couple of hours are filled with discoveries and beauty and moments created just for us at a park we didn’t even know existed. So obvious are the little personal touches and gifts prepared for Logan and me by the One who loves us so well.

A sparkling reservoir hidden in the middle of the city.

Park benches and picnic tables and perfect spots for future lunches after class.

Hiking trails and deer tracks and logs chewed apart by beavers.

An empty skate board park desperate for some action.

Innumerable places to linger. And listen.

A new idea and some divine direction.

He does order our steps.

And when we choose to pause and listen?

We find His Words tucked into our ordinary moments.

And we find hidden nuggets of wisdom in unexpected places.

Maybe you’re facing a situation that isn’t going exactly as you planned it. Maybe life isn’t turning out like you thought it would.

Listen closely, friend.

The God of the Universe is also the God of this moment.

Maybe He’s reordering or restructuring some things.

Maybe He’s inviting you to draw a little closer.

And maybe, right smack dab in the middle of some place you don’t even know exists, he’s got a park bench with your name on it.

Let’s talk:

Have you discovered hidden nuggets of wisdom in unexpected places?

When was the last time you paused to find His Words tucked into your ordinary moments?

What can you do today that will help you to be intentional about hearing His voice?

When Loving Is Hard and You Hardly Feel Loved on Valentine’s Day (or Any Other Day), Remember This

February 14, 2015 by shellyafaust@gmail.com

We have forgotten anniversaries, fought on Valentine’s Day, skipped over birthdays, and much more we are not proud of. I mean, if you’ve been married almost twenty-three years and have never slammed a door, gritted your teeth in frustration, or slept on the couch, pretty please with sugar on top tell us your secret.

Over the course of these twenty-three years, our love has grown but growth doesn’t come without some discomfort and pain. We don’t always feel love and we don’t always show love but we have decided to choose love.

Love is sometimes messy and hard and uncomfortable.

Love doesn’t always look like the commercials on TV or the movies on the Hallmark Channel.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says,
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love is decided daily, sometimes moment by moment. Love is a choice to not give up, sometimes give in, and always give away.

True love is true. It’s honest and dependable and messy.

It isn’t found in a heart-shaped box. It isn’t commercialized and showy or only one day a year. It gives more than flowers and balloons; it gives of itself.

We’ve found that we can love extravagantly in our words and actions and yes, even our inexpensive but thoughtful gifts (or notes on the bathroom mirror). We can love each other well every day.

Do we always succeed? N to the NO. We are two imperfect people trying to get it right who often get it terribly wrong.

Forgiveness and grace are some of the most extravagant gifts we can offer each other as husband and wife. Without them, there would be no “us.”

But in all of our shortcomings we have discovered One who has never and will never let us down.

We have found a love that never ends. A love that always forgives. A love that loves without conditions. A love that never waivers. A perfect love matched by no other. A love that enables and empowers us to love each other and others well.

A love that reaches down into our darkest, messiest, ugliest moments and offers hope.

Maybe you feel unloved today. Maybe you have had more dark and messy and ugly days than you’ve had good days. Maybe you feel alone or hurt or angry or betrayed. Maybe you can’t see hope for the future and aren’t even sure if you want to.

First, can I say I’m so sorry? I don’t know your story. I don’t know the things that have happened to you or the things that have been done to you. But please, don’t stop reading here. I have good news for you. Really, really good news.

Your story isn’t over yet.

There’s another chapter waiting to begin.

It’s time to turn the page.

God loves you. He loves you more than anyone on earth ever could. He loves you no matter what you’ve done in the past or what you did today. He loves you no matter your social status, your education level, the number of times you’ve messed up, or what others think about you. I could go on and on. There is nothing that can keep God from loving you. He IS love. And He wants to lavish His love on you today. Forever and ever and without condition.

All you have to do is say yes. Receive His love. Surrender your heart and life to the One who will never leave you and never stop loving you.

Jesus has made a way for us. He paid the ultimate sacrifice on the cross for our sins so that we can walk in relationship with our heavenly Father. He has secured eternity for us if we choose to accept it.

Can we pray together today?

Dear heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving us. Help us to understand Your love and teach us to love others. We surrender our heart and our life to You today, right now. We’ve looked for love in every wrong place. We’ve tried everything and nothing satisfies or fulfills us. Fill us today with Your love and satisfy us like only You can. Thank you for Jesus and all that He has done for us. We believe in our heart and confess with our mouth right now that He is Lord. We also confess our sins to You now and believe that we have forgiveness because of Jesus. Thank you for mercy and grace and love. Thank you for saving us and never leaving us. We love You. In Jesus’ name we pray – Amen.

Scriptures:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.” Psalms 36:5-7

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him;” Lamentations 3:22-25

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:9-10

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5

“Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.” Psalms 136:26

“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.” Romans 8:38-39

“I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:16-21

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Shelly A. Faust