“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Prophet Isaiah, chapter 40.

Much can be said about the importance of one’s point of focus when it comes to life’s disappointments and hardships. The fact is, life is filled with moments and circumstances which have the power to swap our energy and extinguish all hope. From minor letdowns to significant crises, our hearts are constantly challenged by the weight of discouragement and fear.

Perhaps never has the power of discouragement been more prominent in our world than in the last 19 months. We have felt isolated from friends and family. We have lost loved ones due to this dreadful virus that has assailed the world. We have witnessed our society burn with riots and political unrest and now watch in disbelief the massive resurgence of terrorism rule in the Middle East. It is enough to make even the strongest feel uncertain about the future.

I was thinking about the power of discouragement this week when a big disappointment led me to tears. And I don’t mean a teardrop or two. I let the floodgates open, which is so very unusual to me.

The following day, as I sat down to read my Bible and pray, I came across an illustration about eagles by Scottish author John Ross Macduff that resonated with me. Anyone who knows me is aware of my love for eagles and how this majestic bird’s nature has inspired me through the years.

The illustration focused on the eagle’s habitat:

“You cannot detain the eagle in the forest. You may gather around him a chorus of the choicest birds; you may give him a perch on the goodliest pine; you may charge winged messengers to bring him choicest dainties; but he will spurn them all. Spreading his lofty wings, and with his eye on the Alpine cliff, he will soar away to his own ancestral halls amid the munition of rocks and the wild music of tempest and waterfall.”

As I meditated on the intrinsic meaning of the illustration, the beginning words of Psalm 90 echoed in my soul:

“Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born or you gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.”

Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were born or you gave birth to the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. Psalm 90:1-2 @AJC #MondayDevotional…
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The only psalm written by Moses, Psalm 90 is believed to be the oldest in the Psalter. From the content, we may conclude that it was written at the end of nearly 40 years of wandering in the wilderness as a prayer of remembrance for the people entering the promised land. In its verses, the leader describes God as the only eternal constancy in life and reminds the Jews of God’s faithfulness through the hardest of circumstances.

Moses was qualified to write these words from a place of vast experience with discouragement. He witnessed an entire generation perish in the wilderness. He undoubtedly experienced fear and doubt while enduring incredible hardship and leading a most rebellious, discouraging crowd. And yet, as we read this Psalm which has become a bollard of hope for millennia, we hear a man convinced that God’s constancy, faithfulness and power are the only anchors that can truly settle his wavering heart.

Indeed, just as the eagle that does not settle in the damp forest, however comfortable it may be, so should our hearts seek to climb out of the miry pit of fear and discouragement and make God’s relentless love and grace our dwelling place.

As the eagle does not settle in the damp forest, so should our hearts seek to climb out of the miry pit of fear and discouragement and make God’s relentless love and grace our dwelling place. @AJC #MondayEncouragement
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But we cannot do it if we fix our eyes on the news. Nor can we live in peace if we refuse to get up from the seeming hopelessness of our situation.

Disappointment, pain and fear are inevitable and there will be moments when the tears will flow, and sadness or fear will threaten to settle in our hearts. But our prolonged response can determine whether these joy killers will rule our lives.

Indeed, refuting lingering discouragement is as much a deliberate step as the eagle’s flight. Just as the eagle refuses to stay in the forest, we must choose to refuse to become consumed by the weight of our circumstances. Instead, as Moses did, we must remind our hearts of God’s faithfulness in the past and assert our trust of His presence in our future.

May we learn from Moses and the eagle and deliberately choose to soar to the Rock of Ages – the only place where the peace that surpasses all understanding reigns and our hearts find unwavering rest.

We must choose to refuse to become consumed by the weight of our circumstances. Instead, let us remind our hearts of God’s faithfulness in the past and assert our trust of His presence in our future.
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This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, August 28, 2021. Click HERE to read it on the AJC’s website.

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LINKUP is open! This week, I share another eagle story on my latest @AJC column, highlighting the importance of where we anchor our hearts when dealing with hardships. Joins us & share your blog!
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The post Refuse to Give in to Discouragement and Fear {Recharge Wednesday – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

“Dow drops nearly 10 percent as global coronavirus fears continue to pummel Wall Street.”

“Travelers in Europe, U.S. experience confusion at airports amid coronavirus restrictions.”

“The Coronavirus pandemic is closing schools. How will kids eat?”

Aside from the Democratic primaries, there’s hardly anything more newsworthy these days than the Coronavirus. As one turns on the TV or browses news websites, to say that the virus has created a wave of fear across the world is an understatement.

According to a news outlet, as of Thursday morning, the novel Coronavirus has infected nearly 130,000 people across 108 countries. The death toll is over 4,000 worldwide. In the U.S., 44 states plus the District of Columbia have reported cases of the virus, with over 1,300 people infected and around 30 deaths. Georgia is sixth on the list, with 31 cases (12 confirmed, 19 presumptive), and the first death reported at Wellstar Kennestone hospital this week.

And — of course — during this presidential election year, the health challenge has turned political quickly. Shocker.

Thursday morning started at my house with emails from the national volleyball organizations canceling practices and tournaments until March 22. We had just finished a family discussion about the numerous sporting event cancellations and school closings when my 17-year-old came down the stairs with the news.

“Mom, what if they cancel prom?” cried our high school senior. “And graduation! I have been reading that some schools may cancel graduation ceremonies!” she said, nose buried in her phone, the gadget that has become the bearer of gruesome news for the past weeks. “This is so stupid!”

I cannot fault her for thinking so. In her young mind, the world has gone mad.

I smiled. Fear is powerful, I thought. And there’s a fine line between fear and caution that is sometimes hard not to cross.

Fear is powerful. And there’s a fine line between fear and caution that is sometimes hard not to cross. #Coronavirus #fear #Tuesdaythoughts @AJC
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There is no question that we should not take the outbreak of the virus lightly. Any time that a virus spreads this quickly, it should be a cause of concern and heightened precautionary measures. But truth be told, this is an old movie playing before our eyes once again.

Fear spreads like wildfire when we face the unknown… or when we face the reality of death.

Remember the Y2K bug?

The “Millennium Bug” was a computer flaw that led to significant anxiety in 1999, when engineers across the world believed that all computer systems would crash for not being able to interpret the “00” algorithms for the new millennium. Cars would stop working. Airplanes might fall from the skies. Automations would freeze.

And Chicken Little went haywire in the minds of everyone who soaked in the bad news without a filter.

Chicken Little goes haywire in the minds of everyone who soaks in the bad news without a filter.#Coronavirus #fear #Tuesdaythoughts @AJC
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Then there was the swine flu. And Ebola. And the numerous deadly mutations of the flu virus, which seems to suffer from multi-personality disorder.

Truly? If it’s not Corona, it’s something else.

Hurricanes. Earthquakes. Tsunamis. Cancer.

This world will always be “infected” with something disastrous. And every time that it is, the Fear Monster is released.

This world will always be 'infected' with something disastrous. And every time that it is, the Fear Monster is released. #Coronavirus #fear #Tuesdaythoughts
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In 2016, American Christian rock artist Zack Williams released the song “Fear Is a Liar.” The song peaked at No. 3 on the Hot Christian Songs chart and lasted 31 weeks on the overall chart. It’s no wonder. The lyrics speak to the reality behind fear – a truth that many of us do not seem to grasp at times of distress:

“Fear, he is a liar. He will take your breath. Stop you in your steps. Fear, he is a liar. He will rob your rest. Steal your happiness. Cast your fear in the fire. ‘Cause fear — he is a liar.”

I believe there is a reason the phrase “Fear Not” continually appears in the Bible. As a matter of fact, it is said that God encourages His followers not to fear 365 times in Scriptures. Following these words, one usually finds God’s most comforting promise: “For I am with you.”

Almighty God, knowing the dangers and heartaches of this fallen world, left us a promise to hang on to when our hearts threaten to steal our peace and joy.

Almighty God, knowing the dangers and heartaches of this fallen world, left us a promise to hang on to when our hearts threaten to steal our peace and joy: F.E.A.R. N.O.T.
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Yes, let us wash our hands more often and avoid crowded spaces. But first and foremost, let us hang on to that promise, shall we? The coronavirus has not taken God by surprise. Let us take each morning a preventive dose of “Fear Not.”

Now, that is a healthy measure!

This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, March 13, 2020. Click Here to read on the AJC’s website.

The post Coronavirus – Should We Be Afraid? {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

In hope against hope he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, “SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE.”  Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore IT WAS ALSO CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.” Romans 4:18-22

I was on my way to lunch and as I approached my car, I read my license plate’s frame: “No worries – God’s got it covered!”. I started laughing at myself, thinking of the irony of the statement as I searched my heart that day. I was having one of those days – the devil was on to me, attacking from every front, trying to destroy my testimony, trying to limit my vision to only what I could see at the moment.

Then I read about Abraham and his faith. He did not regard his old body and Sarah’s dead womb. He knew that “God had got it covered”. Looking at the obstacles ahead of him and his limited resources, he chose to trust God, obey and wait on Him. Because of his faith, he has become, as God promised, the “father of many nations.” (Genesis 17:5)

“He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, so that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be credited to them.” Romans 4:11

This passage of Scripture stirs my heart up! That is because Abraham’s life was marked by mistakes, sins, and failures – just like mine. But because of his faith – and his faith alone – he inherited the promise and was found righteous before God.

Abraham inherited the promise, not because of his good works, his good days or bad days, but because of his solemn trust in God and His Word. That completely changes the paradigm of righteousness – my righteousness is not based on how I behave, on the bad days I have, but based on the faith that I placed in Jesus as my Savior and Lord, wherefore I inherited God’s righteousness and His promises.

My righteousness is not based on how I behave, on the bad days I have, but based on the faith that I placed in Jesus as my Savior and Lord, wherefore I inherited God’s righteousness and His promises.
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And so, on days when my not-so-perfect heart attitude causes me to think I may lose God’s promise, Abraham reminds me that nothing can ever move God’s love and acceptance. It is on those days that I teach my heart to cling to the promise Abraham received and that I inherited in Christ Jesus: the promise that, no matter what happens, God’s plans and promises for my life will be fulfilled.

All I have to do is to trust and obey. One step at a time… Through the rough patches… When people and circumstances threaten to bring the worse in me…  It is in those situations that I must remind my heart that the challenges presented are used to conform me to His image, while He works on the rough edges, teaches me to love unconditionally, forgive always.

On days like that, I remember that worry and fear are simply a waste of time because God’s promises do not change. Sometimes I may not see where He is leading, but I know His plan is perfect and will unfold in His perfect time. Abraham saw his body get older, Sarah’s menopause come, and kept on believing. He kept his eyes on his (unseen) promise.

Sometimes I may not see where He is leading, but I know His plan is perfect and will unfold in His perfect time
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 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1

What is the prize that lies before you? Your Promise Land? Something you have been eagerly waiting for?

Do not lose heart, my friend. The One who promises must deliver! Just tell your heart to believe.

As for me, I went back to my car that day and looked at my license plate with less cynical eyes. For I was reminded that when life is full of uncertainties and circumstances deny a glimpse into the Promise, I can trust that Calvary is still the sacred ground where fears and doubts melt away, and where all God’s promises to me were already fulfilled.

Thank you, Jesus, for purchasing, not only my forgiveness, but also the right to confidently believe!

When life is full of uncertainties and circumstances deny a glimpse into the Promise, trust that Calvary is still the sacred ground where fears and doubts melt away, and all God's promises to us were fulfilled.
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