“No! I do it by myself!” Awe the famous phrase of a toddler. Unfortunately I still use this phrase at times today as an adult. I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand to be told what to do! I don’t like not having control, and truthfully I rebel a lot of times and completely do the opposite of what’s being asked of me, even though I know it’s not the right thing to do.
Every one of us struggle with circumstances in life that we know are not good for us, but we still do them anyway. I have struggled with insomnia ever since childhood. There are many ways my doctor tries to help me by giving suggestions to help with falling asleep. However, I don’t always do them. For example, no caffeine after 3pm. (Honestly, I never listen to this one.) When I go out to eat, I order that coke with my meal because I think my meal is much better with one. I will drink 1 or 2 cups of coffee with my husband in the evening because it’s a special moment together we share. Yes, there are non-caffeinated drinks, but who cares! I want the real stuff! As a result of doing wrong, I suffer the consequences of being up late at night, not getting enough sleep, and SO cranky the next morning.
If the cause of most of our problems is our efforts to control everything, then what are the consequences of playing God? Isn’t that exactly what we are doing? There are 4 consequences listed in this book:
1) FEAR: When we try to control everything we become afraid. In my life I felt so out of control and scared inside that I faked being happy. In high school I acted like I was so happy and I smiled all the time. I was a good actress and thought that if I could get others to believe I had it all together, than maybe I too would somehow convince myself it was true. But truth was, I was hurting and so scared of people finding out this was not true. I was scared they would not like me and wouldn’t want to be my friend. I have remained in fear this would happen to me my whole life. Do you ever feel like this? What is it that you fear today?
2) FRUSTRATION: Although I tried my best to hide my problems, a new one would arise. It never seemed to fail that I never stop with one pop up, I would have numerous ones and they never went away. I felt so frustrated all the time! Are you walking around today pretending your God thinking you can handle all your problems yourself, and you don’t need anyone’s help? Here are two examples of people in the Bible talking about feeling frustrated. Apostle Paul felt frustration: “It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I eventually do what is wrong…There is something else deep within me… that is at war with my mind and wins the fight and makes me a slave to sin.” (Romans 7:21-25 commentary)…David also felt frustration: My dishonesty made me miserable and filled my days with frustration.” (Psalm 32:3 LB)…Are you Too feeling frustrated today?
3) FATIGUE: I feel so tired all the time when playing God and pretending everything was ok when it definitely was not. Every day I felt weak and tried faking how I was feeling with everyone I came into contact with. I started feeling like I couldn’t keep up my lies much longer. I felt like my strength was almost gone. David experienced fatigue: “My strength evaporated like water on a sunny day until I finally admitted all my sins to you and stopped trying to find them.” (Psalm 32:3-4)
4) FAILURE: I always fail at playing God. Every one of us will fail at doing this and that’s a guarantee! The wisdom of Proverbs tells us, “You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you. Are you being honest and open about your weaknesses, faults, and failures?
Psalm 32:3-4
LET US PRAY:
Father God, I come to You because I’m weak, so tired of trying to handle everything on my own. I’m afraid to let others know what’s going on inside of me. Lord I give to You my hurts, my failures, my faults. I’m tired of running and I’m going to let YOU be GOD. Thank You Lord for Your amazing love
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
ASSIGNMENT: Review these 4 consequences and list fears you have right now and how they cause you to react and feel. Share with us what you have been trying to control that have you tired today.
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About Leslie Stewart
Interestingly, this is right on key for me. Something I am struggling w/ currently that I feel like a failure because of, that gives me GREAT anxiety and that is directly related to fear. My biggest problem is sensing God's peace and rest in the midst of the situation. As it has been noted I am way to much of a Martha (my name:) and need to be way more of a Mary. Undoubtedly the root of my fatigue…….
Martha, I too feel as a Martha. I am often anxious a lot of the time. I worry about much even down to the silliest of things like my house looking perfect (when my momma comes to visit) that was something I grew up with and told myself I would never do. lol Jesus gives us simple directions about what we should do, and I must admit, I do not always do it right away.."Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30…I appreciate you being open and honest Martha. Thank you for sharing 🙂
He says He is our shepherd and we shall not want for anything so today I pray that each of us will hand every fear over to our Protector. He's so able to handle all of them. God bless all of you!!!!❤
Absolutely Kim! How awesome it is to truly believe that He is with us and protecting us always….I know that The Lord is the one who is shepherding me; I lack nothing. Psalm 23;1 ….He can handle it all! 😉
Awesome blog Leslie. When I try to figure which of the 4 Fs my life has – I am certain I could fit anyone – but when I was a child it was actually failure. I looked and desired approval from my earthly father. Him being military- expectations were very high. Then it was fear of the unknown. I stayed in the lifestyle I chose because I knew it. It was comfortable. Now I am learning to trust with ALL my heart and not try to think about what's next. God will take care of it!! As you mentioned Paul, he was a tent maker and persecuted Christians, yet Jesus said 'follow me' and forgave him. What hope we can see in that. In Phi. 4:10-12, Paul then writes I will be content…. because I can do ALL things (v.3) through Christ. That is such a hope scripture. Does anyone have any other scriptres they cling to for hope?
Laurie thank you for sharing. I love the way you speak from your heart. Disapproval hurts! When it starts in childhood it seems to carry on into adulthood. Children desperately need love from their daddies. Sadly many children do not receive that. I too have felt that need for my father's approval and a few others. I really struggle to this day…I think you once lead me to this verse Laurie, (if not it's has been told to me from someone and is really sticking in my mind)…Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10.This is where we all need to stop and think about. Thanks girl for sharing <3
Great post, Leslie! I tend to feel fatigue which then lends to the failure & frustration. When I'm tired, I'm more vulnerable to attacks and the behaviors that get me in to trouble. I try to remember in Matthew where Jesus tells us "come to me all who are weak and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Thanks Amy! Great verse.That verse that is one to bookmark into our minds. Only the Lord gives us rest. Just reading that relaxes me… I painted my daughter a picture for her room of a bright pink bird with feathers on it's wings. I included the scripture, He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge. Psalm 91:4…I love this image and we can all go to that place to find peace
A fear of mine is that I will live the second half of my life just as I have the first half. That I might not want it bad enough!! I do want it, but I don't know what is enough. Trusting is not my strong point. In order to trust I have to hand over the control. That is so hard for me. I think about Peter walking accross the water how he must have felt but he did it anyway!! Thats here I want to be, willing change.
Lisa, I really like this verse about trust…
“May the God of hope
fill you with all joy and peace
as you trust in him
so that you may overflow with hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13
Honestly Lisa, trust was never easy for me either…In the beginning of my walk, I started praying every morning for God to Help me to trust Him. As a result, I am trusting and growing closer in a intimate relationship with God more every day. Seek and pray, and you will find yourself learning to trust. Prayers for you to do so <3
Fear and failure ensnare me. Fear of failure more aptly. Fear of rejection
sherry Haynes
I am in awe, I feel all of your comments. I relate to all F's. In 2007 I lost my daughter to accidental suicide I was in church a great servant, a
the church clerk, over the kitchen ministry, health and wellness, a deacon nest maybe spelt wrong, and enjoying the Lord and at the same time taking care of my mom who had breast cancer for the second time. Then she became worse and on hospice so I did'nt go to church as much, also during this time I was taking care of my oldest daughter who also had breast cancer for the second time which went into triple negative cancer. In 2010 we lost my great grandson at birth in may, then in oct 2019 I lost my oldest daughter less than a year later I lost my mom in sept. of 2011, in oct. of 2011 we found out my sister had stage 4 lung cancer so I moved her in to take care of her, 4 months to the date my mom passed my sister passed. Ive been to church a few times since then, not the same church due to some anger I have towards them, but I'm having trouble getting back to where things were with an over whelming degree of all the F's. I just ask that you pray for me because I'm in a huge struggle right now
Absolutley!…Father God, I just want to thank you for your beautiful daughter Sherry. Thank you Lord for being by herside during the trails and tribualtions happening in her life. Lord I pray that she may find peace, courage, and strength that only You can give. I thank you Lord she so bravely expressed to us her hurts today and misses You and realizes just how much she needs You. Thank you God for your amazing love every moment of our life. In jesus name. Amen
Here are 2 verses I would like to share with you Sherry. Thank you again for sharing. God bless you.
Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:13
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”Philippians 4:6-7 we read,
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”Philippians 4:6-7
I have to admit to all 4
FEAR: I fear being judged by others, and in the past have put on a happy face, and said "I'm fine" when deep down, I feel anything but fine. I fear that if others really know me, or what a mess my life is, how my kids behave, etc… that they won't like me. Therefore, I keep most people at arm's length. I have longed for close friends who accept me as I am, but don't give many a chance.
FRUSTRATION: I have gotten frustrated with my husband, and frustrated waiting on God, and taken things into my own hands. I get frustrated with my teens quite often, and frustrated with myself for not being able to change the things I want to change. I do try to handle things myself, and over the past couple of years,my way of handling things has become a pattern of sinful behavior. I've gotten frustrated to the point of "giving up" and not even going to church anymore. I can now relate to both Paul and David on a more personal level. But… joining this study is a step in the right direction. I've decided that the only way to go now is up.
FATIGUE: Obviously, I'm worn out from trying to do this on my own, and running from God.
FAILURE: I'm miserable. I didn't want to give up my sinful behavior, and it has been keeping me from God. I wanted to do my own thing for a while, but it isn't working.
I'm ready to let God be GOD, and praying that this study will be life changing for me.
I am so glad your here Tammy! Just writing about your fears, frustrations, failures take much courage. Praying you will let God take you from here and let Him lead you closer to Him and find that joy He wants you to have in your life. Thanks for sharing and keep moving forward on this journey!
Something that has plagued me for years is the fear of what other people think of me. Thankfully, as I have gotten older and spent much time praying and reflecting on this it is somewhat better but I still battle with this daily.
I still worry if they think I perform my job well, am a good wife and parent, am put together, etc, etc. Like our chapter was telling us I just need to hand my fears over to our Lord, trust him, and myself, and be the best me I can be.
Rachel I believe it's human nature to want approval of man, but we have to fight it. When we see and recognize we are going there, we have to interrupt that thought and turn our attention back to God….. So glad your here 🙂
My main fear right now is that I am going to miss God's voice for certain answers I am waiting on from Him. I am scared that I am not where He wants me to be and I am scared that I am not able to hear His still small voice. I have so many desires and need to know which ones are from God and not from me. This is a huge anxiety for me right now and sometimes I simply do not feel like giving it over to God for more fear that I may not like His answers EVEN THOUGH I KNOW THEY ARE BEST FOR ME.
Also, I was the same exact way as you were when you described that you tried to fake being happy. People used to call me smiley because I was always smiling. What they did not know was that was the fakest smile ever. Behind the smile was so much pain and fear. Now when I smile it is real and I am thankful to God for that! Thanks for sharing this it made me remember that:)
Sheri , oh how my heart hurts for you. What courage you show just to put one foot in front of the other. Just know I am praying for you and loving you through this. I will pray without ceasing. Your story will be used for His Kingdom this I know for sure. I am so sorry that you've had to experience all this. If you need me to climb in and sit quietly or you need verses sent to you. I'm here. Jesus comforts the broke hearted. He rewards your courage. I love you.
THANK YOU SO MUCH AND MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU, I CAN USE ALL THE VERSES YOU CAN SEND ME RIGHT NOW
THANK YOU THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE VERSES, AND THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT, IT FEELS GOOD TO KNOW THAT THERE IS SOMEONE OUT THERE I CAN EXPRESS MY FEELINGS TO AND WON;T BE JUDGED.
I have alot of fears, fear of letting go and letting God! fear of God not wanting to provide for us even though I have seen Him provide before it's still a fear, and yes failure, I didn't grow up in a great home with my mother belittling me and failure always still to this day comes out of my mouth! It's really hard to get rid of that word!!