Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Concealer--Beige #2

Join us at Lelia's blog for this great study!!

After reading these chapters (6 and 7) in Lisa Whittle's book, Behind Those Eyes, I knew that there was much to be said about these topics! Yes, I do wear concealer! It hides the dark circles under my eyes. When asked if you were stranded on a deserted island, and you could take only 2 items with you, what would they be?? Mine would be chapstick and concealer! I know that it SHOULD be water and food, but....a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!!

What things do I conceal? And why? Most of us --if we're honest with ourselves--do have something deeply rooted that we try to conceal. Be it jealousy, insecurity, loneliness or fear...God can see through our facade. He sees into the very depths of our hearts and minds. We can't hide these things from Him. So, why do we try to hide them from others? Lisa had so many great points about this.

I had to smile when I read her section on fear. Her fear is flying in airplanes. It is a control factor. I, too, have a fear of traveling....but it is in cars on BUSY interstates! It stems from a series of accidents that my husband and I were in almost 19 years ago. We were traveling to Tenn. for a wedding. It was in December. Well, Tenn. in December in the Smokey Mountains is lovely...as long as you're not driving!! We were almost to Johnson City. Snow had been falling; it was gorgeous! Then something else began to hit the windshield--ice! Y'all, Southerners have a reputation anyway for not being able to drive in the snow--much less the ice!! We don't own snow chains! We don't have snow plows--just big 'ol trucks that put salt and dirt on our bridges. I can count on one hand how many times we see snow each year! And I don't need four of those fingers!

As hubby and I were on the exit ramp into the town, we realized that our Honda was not exactly hugging the side of the road. We were sorta sliding off the ramp into the grassy (now icy) embankment towards the next 4 lane road. We just kept sliding and sliding! Praise the Lord that no 18 wheelers were coming our way! He regained control of the car...but this was the first of a series of accidents that occurred throughout the weekend. I was never so glad to get back home! Neither of us had control...it was all in Gods' hands. I tried to use that imaginary break that I wish existed on the passenger side of the front seat! I really need it now since our 15 year old is working on his driving skills!

I truly struggle with this fear of lack of control. Even though this incident happened so long ago, it still play fresh in my mind! It hinders my plans to go places with others. If I am driving, I do much better! I'm back in control. There are way too many stories from the last 19 years about this. Satan is having a field day with this bondage of mine! He jumps up and down in glee when I pass up an opportunity because it involves traveling in heavy traffic.

The scriptures that were in these chapters were great! From Psalm 90:14, we hear"Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." And from 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." Y'all the only thing that I/you need to fear (respect) is God...and God alone. Lisa has yet another powerful scripture from Revelation 15:4, "Righteous your ways and true, King of the nations! Who can fail to fear you, God,give glory to your Name? Because you and you only are holy,all nations will come and worship you,because they see your judgments are right." (Message)

Lisa states that "our wonderful Savior seeks to comfort us through Scripture when it comes to our fears. He acknowledges that as finite humans, we fear things that we shouldn't. But He has compassion on us because He knows that we do anyway." If we can remember this and hold it close to our hearts, God can and will do a mighty big act on us...we just have to lay that burden at His throne...maybe many times over!

Many Blessings,

16 comments:

Empty Nest Full Life said...

You cannot believe how much this spoke to me. It was as if God was saying I know what you are dealing with, and I am there. I too deal with fear at a larger scale, and I am acknowledging that it is my lack of control that makes me fearful. I am reading Charles Stanley's Book on finding peace along with so many scriptures that are helping me to deal with this. This was just God's reminder today for me. Have a blessed afternoon. Jackie

Edie said...

I think most people struggle to some degree with control. It's scary when things are out of control. One of the difficult lessons to learn in trusting God. I'm so thankful that He is always faithful whether things feel out of control to me or not. :)

KelliGirl said...

Susan,
Oh, what we conceal and how the enemy presses on that weakness, twisting truth until we believe his lies.

This verse gives me such assurance and confidence: "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Cor. 12:9)

BTW, you would NOT have wanted to drive on the roads here today. We actually had snow that accumulated in places! Drivers here didn't fair much better than you and your husband. I think everyone was in shock. Crazy weather, indeed.

Blessings,
Kelli

LeeBird3 said...

You know...I don't think of myself as a control freak except for in one area...

I want to know what's going on so I won't look stupid or be embarassed.

On my last b'day, I suspected Cliff and some of my friends were planning a surprise party for me. I couldn't stand not knowing. I wanted to look right and respond in just the right way. I was the biggest snoop ever and ruined their fun of surprising me. I vow to never do that again. So what if I look silly? Remind me of that next time God tells me to do something out of my comfort zone, will ya? I know you will. ;) Love you....fear not! He has redeemed you and you are His!

Joy Junktion said...

"But He has compassion on us because He knows that we do anyway."

That is a quote I love. I'm so thankful for God's compassion, mercy and grace.

I sabotage myself because my fear is of success ~ how silly is that?

Sharon Sloan said...

Hi, Susan!

So glad God was keeping you and hubby in His hands! And yes, you must have been glad to get back home that weekend! :)

I fear flying too. I don't do it often, but when I do I just tell Him I am trusting Him and ask Him to put those airplanes in the palm of His mighty hand! Our faith increases as we hold His hand through areas of fear.

As Kelli said, we had snow here in Bucks County PA yesterday! October Snow! Couldn't believe it!

On Purpose said...

Encouraged to fill my mind/heart with His words so they will cover-up the doubts/fears all the things that try to coverup His love for me!

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

I too...struggle with control...and I believe that is why God has me...right where he has me at this point in my life...because I CANNOT control anything!!! lol

Thank-you friend...for blessing my heart today with your post. Keep em coming!!!

{darlene} said...

"we just have to lay that burden at His throne...maybe many times over!"

Oh, may He teach me to lay it down, over and over!!!
I do not have control.

Great post...
Darlene

Anonymous said...

Susan,

It is horrible that Satan holds onto us through our fears isn't it? I posted that I have a fear of flying like Lisa. We are not financially secure to travel right now so I can avoid the whole "flying thing" but I want to go places someday...I WILL NOT let Satan take these plans from me!! Like you said...God can and will do a mighty big act on us if we lay our burden at his feet.

so glad to be studying with you!
Kim

The Equipped Life said...

I enjoyed your post very much. God has certainly been dealing with me about concealing trying to conceal things from HIM... of all people!(?)

One of my first posts when I began blogging was titled The Hide-N-Seek Game and talked about trying to hide ourselves from one another AND from God.

Thanks for stopping by my new blog (that EDIE AT RICH GIFTS made me)

Yolanda said...

Aren't you so thankful for Christ? I am, as I think about how He conceals who we were, for WHO HE IS!??!!

Love,
Yolanda

Paula V said...

Susan,
This is a wonderful example of fear. Ya know I have heard that there rumor about them there southerners. Seriously, I have a friend from Louisiana and she now lives here. She will NOT drive with any white stuff on the ground.

My post on these two chapters is a little heavy...so visit when you can.

Love ya,
Paula

Susan said...

Hey Susan,

I think we all struggle with control in some area of our lives.

I had to smile after reading this post cause I have the EXACT same fear issue you do!

I haven't been in any serious car wrecks,a few fender benders, but in the last few years, this thing has got out of whack.

I'm believing God for a full deliverance.

So glad I'm not alone.

Blessings~

Carol said...

Oh how scary, I can relate to your fear of driving in the snow, and ice. I'm a california girl and we can barely drive in the rain.

So true though how we try to control, and how have trouble letting go of the fear. Thank you for a reminder.

Carol

Pamela (His maidservant) said...

I deal with rejection like you deal with fear. This has been encouragening! Trying to wipe away that concealer!!

In His Graces~Pamela