Over the past year I've had a hard time writing on a regular basis. I just thought I had writer's block, or I was distracted (as my illness would overtake). Facebook has dropped off of the map for me as well. I just kept allowing time to slip by, trying not to think about it, but God reminds me. I'd pull up the site to write and only every now and again I could put my fingers to the keyboard. Otherwise I would keep a tab open to come back to it (yes that's how I do my to do list, by tabs). It is at this point that a lay my head back in my chair and ask the Holy Spirit to speak through me so that others can be touched by my vulnerabilities.
And.. well there it is. The answer.
Vulnerable.
Who likes to be vulnerable? You lay yourself out there, knowing that some will be touched, others will judge you, and others will mock your faith or your situation. The hardest part for me is being judged for the way I handle my kids with the treatment of Lyme, or worst, unbelief of their diagnosis's.
Definition of vulnerable: capable of being physically or emotionally wounded
: open to attack or damage : assailable
: capable of or susceptible to being wounded or hurt, as by a weapon:
:open to moral attack, criticism, temptation, etc.:
(Miriam-Webster and Dictionary.com)
Isn't it easier to be silent, to not even risk the hurt? Is it worth it? Are the few who are touched by your story worth it?
We see God saving the remnant all through the Old Testament. Noah was the remnant, the one who still sought God. Wasn't he vulnerable? Talk about a family that obeyed God despite the mockery. It was 120 years that God gave mankind to turn back to Him (Genesis 6:3). The Bible does not tell us exactly how many years it took Noah to build the ark. But, I like the way "Answers In Genesis" deduces their answer down to about 20-40 years.
Imagine: Mankind is evil, doing the worst kinds of things. It had never rained on earth at this time. When God created the world, the oceans and such sprung up from the ground (Gen. 2:6). The scene is Noah and his family cutting wood building this ENORMOUS boat and telling people to repent, save yourselves, because God is going to dump water from the heavens. Now, this was not just a simple boat; it is nothing like what we see in the cartoon depictions. This boat (ark) is 1 1/2 times a foot ball field (450 ft long), 75 feet wide, and 45 feet tall. To make matters just all that more difficult, mankind had not ever seen rain before. This would be the very first rain, well, supposedly according to Noah.
For 20-40 years, Noah is mocked and judged. We know this because, no one other than Noah's family got on that boat. Vulnerability is an understatement. I can sit here behind my computer screen sharing my story and love for Jesus, post, and then decide not to read the comments. I hear the enemy place thoughts in my mind that "speculate" what others are saying. But Noah was out there in the open. His vulnerability was out there in a physical dimension for anyone walking by to see. If the evil was ramped enough for the Lord to destroy ALL of it, then it must have been worst than anything we all can imagine. Noah was vulnerable.
The Lord convicts me here. Am I living this life to please God or man? It IS worth the few. It was worth Noah and his family, the 8. Satan is the father of all lies and all mockery. Satan is at work, as I use to obey him. If we really think and pray on this, we realize that many do not even know what they are saying until they humble themselves to the feet of Jesus.
Ephesians 2:2
You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil--the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.
Jesus said, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."
Vulnerability. The devil doesn't want you to stand up and speak. He doesn't want you to share your story about Jesus in your life.
That being said, I will share where I am in my illness. And I will share my faith in what God is doing through me, through it.
Strongholds
In order to break down strongholds in your life, you must allow God to make you vulnerable. The type of stronghold I am talking about is described in 2 Corinthians 10:4. It is a fortress you have built up, with the help of satan, to keep you safe from being hurt or exposed to criticism. Unfortunately this type of stronghold does not allow God to work in and through you.
Once we allow God to break down our strongholds, we are exposed to the fiery darts of the devil. This is when we must take up the armor of God (shield of faith) and take refuge (stronghold) in Him.
2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."
Let us allow God to protect our hearts, and make ourselves vulnerable, in order that we may help others with their struggles that are like our own. Use your spiritual weapons to break down the fortresses you have built up and take your refuge in Jesus. He sets you on a firm foundation, up high on a rock and no matter what comes your way, you will stand strong.
And.. well there it is. The answer.
Vulnerable.
Who likes to be vulnerable? You lay yourself out there, knowing that some will be touched, others will judge you, and others will mock your faith or your situation. The hardest part for me is being judged for the way I handle my kids with the treatment of Lyme, or worst, unbelief of their diagnosis's.
Definition of vulnerable: capable of being physically or emotionally wounded
: open to attack or damage : assailable
- vulnerable to criticism
: capable of or susceptible to being wounded or hurt, as by a weapon:
:open to moral attack, criticism, temptation, etc.:
(Miriam-Webster and Dictionary.com)
Isn't it easier to be silent, to not even risk the hurt? Is it worth it? Are the few who are touched by your story worth it?
We see God saving the remnant all through the Old Testament. Noah was the remnant, the one who still sought God. Wasn't he vulnerable? Talk about a family that obeyed God despite the mockery. It was 120 years that God gave mankind to turn back to Him (Genesis 6:3). The Bible does not tell us exactly how many years it took Noah to build the ark. But, I like the way "Answers In Genesis" deduces their answer down to about 20-40 years.
Imagine: Mankind is evil, doing the worst kinds of things. It had never rained on earth at this time. When God created the world, the oceans and such sprung up from the ground (Gen. 2:6). The scene is Noah and his family cutting wood building this ENORMOUS boat and telling people to repent, save yourselves, because God is going to dump water from the heavens. Now, this was not just a simple boat; it is nothing like what we see in the cartoon depictions. This boat (ark) is 1 1/2 times a foot ball field (450 ft long), 75 feet wide, and 45 feet tall. To make matters just all that more difficult, mankind had not ever seen rain before. This would be the very first rain, well, supposedly according to Noah.
For 20-40 years, Noah is mocked and judged. We know this because, no one other than Noah's family got on that boat. Vulnerability is an understatement. I can sit here behind my computer screen sharing my story and love for Jesus, post, and then decide not to read the comments. I hear the enemy place thoughts in my mind that "speculate" what others are saying. But Noah was out there in the open. His vulnerability was out there in a physical dimension for anyone walking by to see. If the evil was ramped enough for the Lord to destroy ALL of it, then it must have been worst than anything we all can imagine. Noah was vulnerable.
The Lord convicts me here. Am I living this life to please God or man? It IS worth the few. It was worth Noah and his family, the 8. Satan is the father of all lies and all mockery. Satan is at work, as I use to obey him. If we really think and pray on this, we realize that many do not even know what they are saying until they humble themselves to the feet of Jesus.
Ephesians 2:2
You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil--the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.
Jesus said, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first."
Vulnerability. The devil doesn't want you to stand up and speak. He doesn't want you to share your story about Jesus in your life.
That being said, I will share where I am in my illness. And I will share my faith in what God is doing through me, through it.
Strongholds
In order to break down strongholds in your life, you must allow God to make you vulnerable. The type of stronghold I am talking about is described in 2 Corinthians 10:4. It is a fortress you have built up, with the help of satan, to keep you safe from being hurt or exposed to criticism. Unfortunately this type of stronghold does not allow God to work in and through you.
Once we allow God to break down our strongholds, we are exposed to the fiery darts of the devil. This is when we must take up the armor of God (shield of faith) and take refuge (stronghold) in Him.
2 Corinthians 10:4 NIV "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."
Let us allow God to protect our hearts, and make ourselves vulnerable, in order that we may help others with their struggles that are like our own. Use your spiritual weapons to break down the fortresses you have built up and take your refuge in Jesus. He sets you on a firm foundation, up high on a rock and no matter what comes your way, you will stand strong.
