Overflow of Love – Finding Peace

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In week 2 of our current series, Lead Pastor Ben Snyder encouraged us to think about the stories we tell ourselves. I thought deeply about it and reflected on a list of words he provided. Two words from the list jumped out to me: perfect and successful. I was forced to acknowledge that the stories I was telling myself were shaped by my desire for perfection and success.

As an Enneagram 5, I want to find the perfect solution to every problem I encounter—from the food I feed my family, to the homeschool curriculum I choose, to the half marathon plan I follow. These choices make me feel like I have control, but they can also be crippling and lead to anxiety. I feel like if I make the wrong choice, everything will come out wrong. This has caused health problems, friction in relationships with those I love, irritability, and insomnia. Some might say this perfectionism is caused by my love for the people I’m making decisions for, and that’s partly true. But ultimately, I am allowing my peace to be dependent on my ability to navigate life on my own power. My desire to control reveals my lack of peace and faith that God will provide for me even if the choice I make is less than perfect. It comes down to pride.

This week, Ben talked about how a lack of peace reveals a lack of love. How does love relate to pride? Pride says, “I can do it all by myself.” It says, “I can help you with your oxygen mask first because I can handle the lack of oxygen.” It says, “I don’t need anyone to help me; I am enough in myself.” Love says, “I can’t do it on my own and I need help.” It says, “In order to ensure I can help you, I need to put on my own oxygen mask first.”

John 15:4
Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

1 John 4:7-8
7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

If I do not abide in the love God has for me every day, I will struggle to show his love to my family and those around me. If I’m so focused on all of the things I am able to do, it leaves no room for the love of Christ to flow through me into the lives of those around me. When I spend a few minutes in the morning reading my Bible and praying, I allow God’s love to fill me. Then, when someone needs me—and it’s a constant in my house—I can respond in love. I give Christ permission to overflow from my heart into the lives of those around me. When worship is filling the walls of my home, my children hear that God is love and worthy of our praise and devotion. When we share what God has been teaching us in prayer, those around us see that our faith is real and it yields a peace that is absent in our culture.

1 John 4:12
No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

Questions:
How do you “put your own oxygen mask on first”? When you speak or act, is it under your own power, or is it an overflow of Christ’s love in you? Do you think people see peace or anxiety when they look at your life?

Next Steps:
Commit to a small, daily act that helps you spend intentional time soaking in the love of Christ. There are many different reading plans on YouVersion to help you develop a habit of reading your Bible. Commit to praying at least once a day. The more you allow God to fill up your life, the more you are able to love those around you.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for showing us a perfect example of love in Jesus. Thank you for Jesus’ example of prioritizing time with you so our hearts will be full.  Help me be consistent in daily prayer and Bible reading. I pray for your love and peace to overflow from my heart into the lives of those around me so that your name may be honored. Amen.

This post was written by Julie Mabus. Julie has a passion for thinking about big ideas, art, reading, and seeing God reveal himself through creation. She is married and is homeschooling her five young children.

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Stop the Spread – Finding Peace

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There are several definitions of the word “love.” It is one of the most intense emotions we experience as humans, and it spans a variety of different feelings, conditions, and attitudes that range from interpersonal affection to pleasure.

The past several months have left many of us with a vast amount of uncertainty. We may have worried about our health, the health of our loved ones, our work, our kids’ education, money, food, and safety—just to name a few. Too many changes and too much uncertainty in our everyday lives can hinder us from finding peace in our world and lead to anxiety. On a positive note, this uncertainty or change from the normal has many of us taking steps to better focus on God. And this change in focus is encouraging us to live with a non-anxious spirit—to be present with God, ourselves, and with others. That is until someone comes along and messes it all up!

Last weekend was the third week in our series, Finding Peace. Lead Pastor Ben Snyder focused on “Finding Peace Relationally.” He noted when it comes to our lack of peace, we might look away from ourselves and see other people as the problem.

Like a virus, our anxiety is contagious. When we are anxious, we cause others to be anxious. So, how do we keep anxiety from spreading (other than washing our hands of it)?

The answer is … LOVE!

Love is the remedy for anxiety. God invites us to experience love and a non-anxious presence.

1 John 4:18
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.

What kind of love does this? Agape! Agape is one of several words used to describe “love” in the Greek language. It is not a feeling as much as it is the motivation behind your actions. CompellingTruth.org describes agape love as “a sacrificial love that voluntarily suffers inconvenience, discomfort, and even death for the benefit of another without expecting anything in return.” It is perfectly described in the following verses:

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

This week, Ben’s Bottom Line encourages us to pay attention to HOW as much as WHAT. Or, in other words, pay attention to how you interact with others as much as what you interact about.

Don’t let the “what” of your interactions cause you anxiety. Instead, pay attention to how you can love those in your life as you interact with them.

Questions:
Who are the people in your life that cause you to be anxious? What is it about interacting with them that causes your anxiety?

Think about an interaction you’ve had with someone that went poorly. Did your behavior reflect the love you have for that person?

How could you interact with them differently to lower your anxiety?

Next Steps:
When you feel your anxiety going up as a result of someone else, try to identify why. Think about how God is inviting you to step into your interactions with others instead of focusing on what your interactions are about.

Continue to read this week’s LivingItOut as we look at ways we can show love within our interactions.

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, you are love. Thank you for your love and how you interact with me each day. Help me learn from your example and to show love to those around me, no matter the circumstance I find myself in. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

This post was written by Pam Haynam. Pam is a writer for the LivingItOut Bible Study and a cook for the weekend worship band. She has a passion for education having served her community on a district school board and is currently serving on a board that sponsors charter schools across the state. She and her husband have three grown children, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, and four grandsons.

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The Greatest Importance – Finding Peace

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The apostle Paul wrote to the Colossians about the place Christ should hold in their lives—the greatest position of importance possible. And we, those calling ourselves Christ followers, would be wise to similarly apply the truths written by Paul. To be clear, a heart genuinely changed by a personal relationship with Christ will, in turn, reflect that changed life. Many Christ followers can speak to the challenges of choosing God first in every area of our lives. Doing so is not an easy nor perfect process, but it is necessary to become Christ-like.

Colossians 3:5-10
5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. 7 You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. 8 But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

I am confident Paul carefully (and intentionally) chose the words “put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.” He makes it very clear that there is no place for anything in our lives that disconnects us from God. The sin and evil desires around us (and often in us) smack against the new life that God has given us. When we give them place in our lives, we miss out on the peace he has for us, too.

Yesterday, we talked about the danger in striving to be like God. This includes relying on our own strength to “put to death” our sinful desires. We don’t have to do this on our own, though. Jesus has freed us from it through his death and resurrection.

This truth becomes the focal point of our new life. Now, when we read our Bibles, it reminds us of his grace. When we pray, it connects us to him. When we worship, we remember who he is and what he has done.  We don’t do these things to free ourselves from our sins, we do them to remember that we already are free.

This gives us strength to identify and name those sinful patterns in our life and remember they no longer have a grip on us. We are free to live the new life God has given to us. Free to identify those areas of sin in our life. As we name them and give them over to God, he takes his rightful position of importance in our lives.

Questions:
What are the areas in your life that hold a greater importance than God?

What sinful areas need put to death in your life?

Next Steps:          
Read Ephesians 6:10-18. Pray for spiritual victory in tearing down your identified strongholds. Ask God to reveal areas of weakness that need shored up.

Establish people in your life that you can talk to about your areas of weakness. Consider joining a Group.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me as I am. Thank you for loving me as a precious child, not as a pathetic, lost kid—even though at times, I am pathetic and lost. Thank you for guiding me on the path you have prepared for me. Infuse me with your presence and your power to pull down the detrimental strongholds in my life, and surround me with your unconditional love and forgiveness when my weaknesses get the better of me. Help me to remember my sufficiency is in you and you alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.

This post was written by Karen Peck. Karen retired in March 2018 from Lucas County Information Services. She has been married over forty years. Karen rejoices over God’s faithfulness and God’s patience in her life and in her marriage. Nothing matters more to Karen than her relationship with God and her entire family. Her immeasurable faith in Christ and His ability to restore the broken runs deep within.

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Turn Down The Noise – Finding Peace

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Strive to be like Jesus! I think many Christ followers tell themselves that over and over throughout the course of their lives. At least, I have—many times. But can we really be like Jesus? And, more importantly, is that truly what God wants us to do?

Following Jesus does not mean we have to be like Jesus. We cannot do what Jesus did on this earth. We cannot turn water into wine, or walk on water, or bring the dead back to life. Jesus was perfect, and it is just not possible for us to be like him—we don’t have what it takes. In fact, trying to be perfect like Jesus can create an internal anxiety in us that can negatively affect us and those around us. During the weekend message, Lead Pastor Ben referred to it as internal noise.

God does not expect us to be perfect, but he does want us to live in perfect peace. This does not mean that we will live in a bubble, and everything around us will be without conflict. It means that he provides a way for us  to “turn down the noise” inside of us and be at peace when anxious moments arise.

So how do we turn down the noise inside? It starts with knowing that when we receive Christ into our hearts, we no longer have to strive to be like him because he lives in us.

Galatians 2:20
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

You see, Christ died so we can stop trying to do it on our own. Is it always easy to trust in this? No! As humans, we still tell ourselves, “I shouldn’t have made that mistake” or “I can do better” or worse yet, “I have messed up so many times, I don’t deserve to be called a Christian.”

This is not true—we do not find peace through our works.

Galatians 2:21 
I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

So what are the steps for turning down the noise and finding peace?

1.       See the noise: Recognize that you are experiencing internal anxiety.
2.     Prayerfully name it: For example, “God, I realize I am becoming overbearing with those around me.”
3.      Trust his victory over it: Believe that God’s got this.
4.     Rest in his perfect love: Experience the peace of giving God control.

Questions:
When was the last time you experienced that “internal noise” rising within you? How did you handle it?

Do you know that Christ lives in you, and through him, you can find peace?

Next Steps:
Put the four steps to finding peace into practice.

Join a group and share with others your successes and failures in finding peace.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I know that I am not perfect like you and can never hope to be. Instead, I give my life to you and believe that you live in me. Through you, I have the strength to turn down the noise of anxiety when it arises in me. God, please give me the wisdom to let go of the unattainable desire to be like you and the trust needed to relinquish my sense of control. I give it to you so that I might find the peace that you intended for me in my life. Amen.

This post was written by Ned Miller, a first-time contributor to the LivingitOut.

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ME? WORRIED…? – Finding Peace

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Fifteen years ago, I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder … I was shocked! I thought everyone was tied up in knots, trying to be all things for all people. Although I had been a Christ follower for 20 years at that point, I still had no idea how to tap into Jesus’ “peace that surpasses understanding” (Philippians 4:7 ESV). Sadder still, I didn’t know what I was missing.

In that state of mind and spirit, I continued to be a control freak—I mean expert—honing my skills at being ever so “helpful” to everyone by interjecting myself into their every dilemma to give them what “they wanted.” I did want to help provide answers to their problems, but what I really wanted was their approval. I was listening to that lifelong approval-addicted voice in my head and driving everyone nuts.

As Lead Pastor Ben Snyder pointed out during the weekend message, that is NOT what Jesus wants for us. Why? Because we make a mess of being in control. And what we want is not always what he wants. Fortunately, what God wants is for us to receive the true peace that can only come from living out his will.

Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your way, take up your cross, and follow me.”

In other words, recognize this one eternal truth: God is in control, not us. Accept that there will be suffering, and live life as Jesus teaches us to. I learned this through the gifts of many emotionally and physically painful events and trials over the years.  What a blessed gift they all turned out to be. God taught me two things:

  1. Peace is not the absence of strife but the presence of Christ in my life every minute of every day as I go through strife.
  2. God’s ways are trustworthy. Putting every situation and fear into God’s hands is the only way to maintain perfect peace through every failure, health issue, disappointment, and loss of life.

So, as the saying goes, “Let go and let God.” Because when you decide to go “Rambo” in response to situations or sit frozen in fear, you rob yourself and others of the blessings that come from turning off your reactivity and demands to have your own way. Why? Because these choices are only a means of temporarily escaping your fears of “losing the control” you never had in the first place.

Questions:
Are you allowing your own view of things to prevent you from living a life empowered by  faith, grace, and God? If so, why?

Examine your thought process and how it affects your daily life. Are your life choices evidence that you believe you are the master of your earthly and eternal destiny and not God?

Do you trust God to provide what you truly need in every eventuality in this life? Do your choices reflect that? If not, why?

Next Steps:
Let go of your delusions that you are the greatest power in the universe and can plot your path better than the one true God. Then turn your life over to God by asking for forgiveness for your sin of pride (and all that comes with it) and acknowledging that your eternal life is safely in his hands through the gift of Jesus’ life, suffering, death, and resurrection. Then accept the gift of eternal life from God through the powerful, perfect work of Jesus.

Prayer:
Father God, thank you for a love so large and deep I cannot possibly understand but accept with open arms. I am a sinner, imperfect and unworthy. But I know you love me anyway or you wouldn’t have sent your perfect son, Jesus, to save me from the cost of my transgressions.  Lord, please use me to serve you and bless others as I grow ever closer to you. Please remove all the internal barriers I put up to protect myself from what “might” happen, and instead, help me turn the care of my life over to you. In Jesus’ powerful name I pray. Amen.

This post was written by Martha Smith, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Bible Study. Martha describes herself as a lover of Christ who likes to share faith with others.

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The Shadow Side of Me – Finding Peace

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As I was listening to Lead Pastor Ben Snyder define peace as a non-anxious presence, I thought, “Well, I am failing at that!” I don’t know about anyone else, but ever since COVID-19 hit, I feel like I’m surrounded by moving targets: There are things that I should be doing. There are things that I shouldn’t be doing. But those targets keep moving and changing. And this causes me (as an Enneagram 1, if any of you were curious) a lot of anxiety! I can’t fix it; I can’t problem-solve it. I can’t hide in my routine because there is no routine. I am forced to be at the mercy of whatever the day brings.

Ben talked about the shadow of our strengths and how noticing this is so important, especially during trying times, so we don’t damage our relationships. While I feel that I am capable of managing how I react to and love others well, I’m finding that I do not extend that same grace to myself.

This often shows up for me when I’m standing in my kitchen. That long list of things “to do” starts going through my head. I think to myself, in order to be a good wife, mother, and employee, these things need to be done today! And because I can typically get through my list in a day, I hold myself to that standard every day, which only elevates my anxiety.

Then the phone rings. One of my children needs me, and off I go in a different direction to take care of that.

At the end of the day, when I can’t complete my list, the self-condemning thoughts come as soon as my head hits the pillow. It’s almost like I can’t rest because I don’t deserve it. I become an anxious presence for myself, and if I don’t catch myself from going down that rabbit hole, I fall in, and my peaceful sleep is gone.

I did not allow that list to get in the way of loving the people around me, but I did let it get in the way of loving myself. I have a deep-down need to be a good Christian and prove I’m worthy of God’s love by doing a bunch of good things every day.

That need is a lie.

As I learn to surrender my lists and my expectations to Jesus, I receive the truth: He chose me, “even before he made the world … to be holy and without fault in his eyes” (Ephesians 1:4). “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure” (Ephesians 1:5).

And that has zero to do with my list! 

Questions:
What expectations have you put on yourself that might not be yours to carry?

Have you allowed God to define your worth, or are you trying to be “good enough” for God?

Next Steps:
Get rid of your list and use that time to listen to what God is saying to you right now.

Share with a friend what God said to you and decide what your next step is going to be.

Prayer:
Lord, we need you more than you know right now. Please break through our walls and our anxieties and let us feel your peace in our daily walk. Teach us how to hear you more and lead us to freedom by growing our faith in you! Amen.

This post was written by April Willer, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Bible Study.

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Anchor of Peace – Finding Peace

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Have you ever heard a song, and in that moment, it was exactly what you needed to hear? What about a church message? That’s where I am with this series, Finding Peace.

As a teacher starting a hybrid school year, my work circumstances are anything but peaceful. I cannot put into words my conflicting emotions between how amazing it is to be back with students, and at the same time, how insanely difficult this format of teaching is. There is considerably more lesson prep, difficulties with managing students that are absent because of illness and/or quarantine, and constant uncertainty looming over each week. This timely message has been a reminder of the anchor of PEACE we have in Jesus. Last week, we saw how our reactivity is an indicator of anxiety in our lives. This week, we see how Jesus invites us to TURN DOWN the NOISE to increase HIS PEACE.

Our theme verse for this series comes from Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (emphasis added). Lead Pastor Ben Snyder described this type of peace as an internal peace that is holistic and provisional—not conditional or dependent upon circumstances. He further described peace as a non-anxious presence—being fully aware of God, self, and others.

This gift of peace is readily available to each one of us as we trust in Jesus (see John 14:27). As followers of Christ, we can do things our own way or we can do things his way. The following two verses urge us to give up our way and follow his:

Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”

Galatians 2:20
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

If we want to follow Jesus, we need to give up our own way and turn down the noise in our lives. For me, instead of turning to social media, complaining, or self-medicating with a milkshake when frustrations or anxieties arise at work, I can turn to Jesus, spend time in his Word and prayer, praise him through some worship music, or give space for the Holy Spirit to bring the gift of peace into my life.

Join us this week as we look at what hijacks the peace in our lives and how we can die to self—giving space to accept the gift of peace that Jesus has for each one of us.

Questions:
Have you been trying to handle your lack of peace all on your own? Is it working? What are some habits you can turn from so that you can turn to Jesus in the midst of your anxiety?

Next Steps:
Have an honest conversation with yourself about what may hijack the peace in your life. Seeing it on paper by journaling may be helpful as well. Take a step toward Jesus this week by replacing one action you would normally do in an anxious moment. Stop and pray, listen to a worship song, or open your Bible and let God speak to you.

Prayer:
God, we thank you for the gift of peace that you offer us in this chaotic world. Help us to turn from our normal way of dealing with things that rob us of peace and turn to you, allowing you to work in our lives. Open our hearts and minds to receiving your peace that is not dependent on our circumstances. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

This post was written by Kendra Grubinski. Kendra is passionate about her relationship with Jesus and loves studying and sharing God’s Word. During the week, she is a Spanish Teacher at Findlay High School. She also enjoys spending time with her family and pups, reading, traveling, drinking good coffee and being active outdoors.

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Fix Your Eyes on Him – Finding Peace

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In the last few years, God has transformed me. I know I am his adored and treasured daughter, and his deep love for me has caused me to really trust him. I know in my heart and mind that he is faithful and good. His amazing love fills me with peace. I am learning to turn to him and surrender my difficulties. Sometimes I do well at this, and sometimes I fail miserably. I am grateful God is so patient with me.

In the past when a difficult situation was thrown my way, I would often react in one of several ways: attempt to figure it out, run from it, get busy trying to fix it, or try to control it. Fortunately, I have come to the realization that when I react in any of those ways, I tend to lose my peace and joy rather than gain it. I often need a daily reminder to depend on God and not myself. There are many Bible verses that I read frequently to do just that—remind me of his love and how to experience his perfect peace. I am so excited to share one of those verses:

Isaiah 26:3-4
3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! 4 Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

When I meditate on this verse, I realize that the only way I can experience perfect peace is through God. I need to fix my thoughts on him. Instead of trying to solve, fix, control, or run away from a problem that I was never intended to solve, fix, or control, I am reminded to surrender it to him. In other words, I have to trust him with the outcome. I need to remember all the ways he has proven his deep love for me. He is my eternal Rock.

Our eternal Rock loves us so much that he died for us. His perfect sacrifice made amends for sins and gave us the opportunity to experience God’s love and peace in the present. How do we find peace in the present? By sitting in his presence, letting his love saturate us, and trusting him enough to surrender all our troubles to him. God, alone, determines the outcome.

In John 14:27 (TLB), Jesus says, “I am leaving you a gift—peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

Questions:
How do you handle your troubles?

Have you placed your trust in Jesus? If so, how does it make you feel to know you are loved, treasured, and adored by God? If you haven’t, what’s holding you back?

Next Steps:
Meditate on Isaiah 26:3-4. Look up some other verses that talk about God’s love and peace. Write them on index cards and read them throughout the day. Post them on your desk at work or in a frequently used area in your home. Listen to the song “Fix My Eyes” by For King and Country.

Prayer:
Jesus, I am so overwhelmed by your unconditional love. You love me because I am your child. Help me to really trust you. Help me to fix my eyes on you at all times. Help me to surrender my troubles to you. Forgive me for the times when I try to act like you and attempt to fix, solve, or control the circumstances around me, and also for the times when I run the other way. Lord, I praise you—you love me so much that you not only save me from hell but also fill me with your peace. Please continue to change me and help me to bask in your precious love. In Jesus’ name, amen.

This post was written by Marsha Raymond. Marsha has been happily married to her husband, Jeff, for 30 years. They have two grown sassy and fearless daughters. She loves spending time with God, her family and friends, reading, riding bicycles, yoga and walking.

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Hide and Seek – Finding Peace

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This past weekend, Lead Pastor Ben Snyder began a new series titled Finding Peace. His key takeaway, “Your REACTIVITY is an indicator of your ANXIETY” was based on a key passage from the book of John.

John 14:27
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

As a child, I remember playing the game “Hide and Seek” with my friends. (Note: This game was not played on a video screen. It was usually played outdoors with several neighborhood friends.) One person was chosen to be the seeker, “It,” and would cover their eyes while the other players hid. After counting to ten, It would seek out the other players, tagging them as they were found. This usually involved a lot of running from It, giggles, and some occasional tears when players were caught. The last found was rewarded by being the next It!

In an odd sort of way, Hide and Seek reminds me of our relationship with God (It). We hide, thinking we can successfully run away from God and not be found. But, somehow, God always finds us. Our faith in Jesus and God’s word has the ability to take away our anxiety and give us peace. That gift of peace is usually just what we need—fitting us perfectly and accounting for our weaknesses, our talents, our experiences, and our gifts. That truth lifts us up, giving us the confidence we can only find when we realize we are one of his perfect creations.

In my opinion, nothing is worse than public speaking. My overreaction is definitely an indicator of my extreme level of anxiety. I hide from it. And when I find that I have to do it, my heart races, my palms sweat, and my voice cracks at just the thought of speaking in front of a large group. My first bad experience occurred when I was in kindergarten and was cast to play Mary in our Christmas pageant. After several failed attempts, the music teacher replaced me and gave me a non-speaking role. Years later in college, this anxiety reared its ugly head again four weeks into my first education class when I realized that I did not want to speak in front of groups on a daily basis—even if the group was made up of little people.

Lately, I’ve been telling God about my anxiety and asking for guidance. I still run and hide but only for a little while. He is giving me the peace of mind that I need to grow in this area that has been hard for me. I know he has great plans for me, for each of us, and his love is showing all of us the way.

1 John 4:16
We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.

1 John 4:18
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

Questions:
So what is your biggest fear? What is it that you are hiding from?

Next Steps:
Talk to God about it. He will give you what you need.

Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for seeking me out, finding me, and giving me everything I need to overcome my anxieties! Amen.

This post was written by Pam Haynam. Pam is a writer for the LivingItOut Bible Study and a cook for the weekend worship band. She has a passion for education having served her community on a district school board and is currently serving on a board that sponsors charter schools across the state. She and her husband have three grown children, a daughter-in-law, a son-in-law, and four grandsons.

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What’s Your Fear? – Finding Peace

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Admittedly, I haven’t experienced certain types of darkness, but I know that there are people whose minds and broken hearts have led them to the edge of a place where I lack understanding. Recently, Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott shared that his brother’s death last spring was a suicide. Another brother, Tad, shared his own feelings of failure when it came to not protecting their late brother.

I know some of what Tad is feeling. Someone that means a lot to me deals with mental illness. He is still here, but the battle continues to push him to the point of no return. I’ve tried to dissect his situation and uncover his feelings in an effort to better understand why he has suicidal thoughts. I thought it was my duty to fix his problems, so his demons became my failure.

Lead Pastor Ben Snyder said, “Think for a minute, about what’s going on under the surface of your life. Your reactivity is an indicator of maybe your tendency and anxiety.”

Romans 8:1-2
1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

As I thought about my fear of failing him and my false need to be the one to help him, I began to understand what I was doing. My anxiousness was coming from a place that wasn’t necessary.

The thought of losing this dear individual was, and is, difficult to process. But my fear of failing him, pushed me to find the answers that I didn’t have. Once I realized that I took a step back and gave it to God.

Questions:
Do you feel the need to dissect every problem? Do you think that knowing the answers will fix everything around you?

Next Steps:
It’s okay to identify your problems or those of others, but understand that you don’t have to be the solution. Seek guidance from those equipped to handle the situation. Invite others to join a Group. Pray about the dilemma, and trust God with the outcome.

This month is Suicide Prvention Month. If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States at 1-800-273-8255.

Prayer:
Lord, help all who find themselves drowning in a world without you. For those of us who believe, continue to help us with our moments of unbelief. Humble us when we feel the need to be in control of everything or everyone. Thank you for continually leaving the door open to give our doubt, trouble, and pain over to you. Fill our hearts with forgiveness and love. Let us be anxious for nothing and remind us that it is not our place to understand everything. Amen.

This post was written by Jaron Camp, a regular contributor to the LivingItOut Bible Study.

Check out the Latest LivingItOut Podcast

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