You Can Feel…

Matthew 14:13a
As soon as Jesus heard the news, he went off by himself in a boat to a remote area to be alone.

When Jesus heard John the Baptist had been killed, he was sad. Yes, Jesus was sad. He needed to be alone, so he went away to a place of solitude. He needed a moment to feel his feelings and work through them before continuing on with his ministry.

So why do we think we are not allowed to do the same?

Why do we think we must be these superhuman Christians who must carry on no matter what?

I know people mean well when they are trying to cheer me up. I have tried very hard to make people feel better too. However, sometimes I really just want to be left alone. I want to, no I NEED to just feel my pain.

I have tried to be little Miss Pollyanna with the ever-present smile. Trying to please all of the people all of the time. It doesn’t work. It is not healthy and contrary to what some would have you believe it is NOT what Jesus would do.

It is OK to tell people no. It is OK to go find a place of solitude. And it is ok to be sad. Jesus did and isn’t it our goal to be just like him?

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Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

See Me

Hebrews 12:2
We must focus our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.

God sees me. He knows all about my struggles. He sees the drama and pain. God has a plan for me. He has a path for me. he knows the bumpss and hills and even the valleys and mountains that I will climb.

God will be there for every step. His love is unfailing and his grace abounds. His promises never change and he is faithful always and forever.

So, do you want to hear the good news? He is there to do the same for you!

Whatever you’re
Facing today…
Whatever helpless or
Hopeless situations
Are around you…
Turn your heart to God
(~Leah Dipacal)

 

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Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

Speak to Me

Psalm 29:11
The LORD will give strength to His people;
The LORD will bless His people with peace.

This verse has crossed my path several times today. In my experience, this means God has a reason for it. Something in my life either now or coming my way will be tied to this verse. God is trying to tell me something.

So now the question is why. Why this verse? Why now? What is going on in my life that needs a reminder from God. How am I going to apply this verse to my life today?

1. A friend had surgery today. I sent her this verse. I prayed God would send peace and strength to all who were involved in the surgery.

2. I have struggled with my depression the past couple of days. This morning I opened my email and this verse showed up as the key verse of a devotion. The author was battling her own demons and found comfort in this verse.

3. I was trying to work on my dissertation exam and getting very frustrated. I felt lost and I looked up and saw this verse. I had written it down on an index card months ago and had put it on my bulletin board.

Now, I know many people would say you can make a verse mean anything or apply to any situation. Some would even say it is a coincidence. You have the right to believe whatever you wish. It doesn’t matter because I find comfort in the verse. That is the only thing that matters.

I hope and pray that God speaks to you. I pray he sends you a verse of comfort in all your times of need. I pray God gives you strength and he blesses you with peace.

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Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men

Luke 1:78-79

78 All this will be because the mercy of our God is very tender, and heaven’s dawn is about to break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, and to guide us to the path of peace.

I know it is not Christmas, but today’s tragedy reminds me of a Christmas song, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. It is hard to hear peace on earth when hate is so strong. It was bad enough when the shots were fired. However, the hatred that followed from my fellow Americans from both sides is more than I can handle.

There is no reason for anyone to be shouting out anything buy prayers and love right now. However, open social media and all I see is arguing over gun control. I don’t care which side you are on, this is NOT, I repeat, this NOT the time or place. Hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth goodwill to men.

My only light is my hope and faith. To all of the doctors, nurses, police officers, EMS, firefighters, blood donors and the heroes who had no regard for their own safety and reached out to help their fellow man, I want to say thank you! Thank you for proving God is not dead, nor does he sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail with peace on earth, goodwill to men.

The following are the original words of Longfellow’s poem: that inspired the song:

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,

and wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom

Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,

A voice, a chime,
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,

And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,

And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;

“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”

 

Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.

Fear Fighting

Psalm 16:8 (GNT)
I am always aware of the LORD’S presence; he is near, and nothing can shake me.

Fears come in many forms.  It is more than normal to be afraid of things.

My daughter is in the Air Force.  She has been trained to kill.  She takes plains apart and puts them back together.  However, she sees the tiniest of spiders and she is grabbing her AK47 to take it out! By the way, I have a male co-worker who would grab an entire arsenal and follow right alongside her, so don’t think it is just a girl thing.

I have an irrational fear of sharks.  I had the “pleasure” of being in Jaws 3 as an extra and although I never did a scene with Bruce (the animatronic shark), I am still petrified of great whites.  I mean seriously, I have to keep my eyes closed in Finding Nemo when Bruce is on the screen.

Fear of failure or embarrassing yourself can keep you from doing great things. I know I have been so scared because I felt totally inadequate.  As a matter of fact, you are reading a fear of mine right now.  I was so afraid to open up a blog and begin writing.  There are still days I sit and look at my computer and wonder who I think I am.  Who wants to read anything I would write? I often have to take a deep breath and remember it isn’t about me.  It is what God has called me to do. I just need to show up and do my best and let him handle the rest.

Another form of fear is found in my PTSD.  Lately, I have had some major struggles in this area.  I have woke up with night terrors and not sure where I am or what just happened.  After a recent sleepless night, because I refused to go back to sleep after waking up from a dream, I reached for a book to read and came across Psalm 16:8.

Through this verse, God reminded me I wasn’t alone.  My demons could not hurt me.  They were just playing with my mind again.

Now, this next part may seem a little silly to some people, and that is fine.  This idea just isn’t for you, but it worked for me and so I am sharing it in case there is someone else who needs to hear it.  The next night, when I went to bed, I was once again struck with the fear of sleeping.  So, I created a verse image and put it on my iPad and kept in on next to my bed.  This way when I woke up the first thing I would see was the verse and I could read it and fight back against my fear.  I also put my bible on my nightstand.  I know in all reality it is physically just a book, but sometimes just reaching out and touching it reminds me of who I am and whose presence I am in and who is going to fight my battles.

My demons can never stay in the presence of God.  They cannot win when I remind them of who I am and more importantly who my Father is.  I just have to be made aware of the LORD’s presence; he is near, and nothing can shake me.

I hope this helps someone out there. Remember no matter what your fear is, God is there too!

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Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.