My friend Steve and I were emailing yesterday and we ended up reminiscing our friendship and how we first met. We went through and re-read emails that were exchanged three years ago revolving around Steve’s interest in me and my reluctance to move forward with anything. When I told Steve I was not ready for anything, he chose to just throw in the towel and back off. Of course looking back that was the right decision since we were only destined to be friends, but Steve now thinks he took the easy way out and in his words from yesterday “took the wuss way out”, and if that situation presented itself again today he would be more apt to wait and see.
He said that he’s recently been asking himself what it means to RISK in a situation and deciphering his fears from what God might be asking him to face.
So now I’m thinking about risk and fear and how I approach those things. What do I hold back from because I’m scared? Where do I take risks? When is God trying to guide me to a place of vulnerability but my fear takes reign and I do nothing?
I don’t have any answers to that right now. But I hope the next time I’m faced with an option or choice I actively reconcile what it is I’m afraid of and why before responding. I don’t believe this is limited to more “attractive” decisions such as going for that job, opting to pursue that person who caught your eye, or taking on another project/volunteering, but it can also encompass making a challenging decision that isn’t attractive and feels sad, and yet know that difficult decision will reap greatness later. I whole-heartedly believe the expression, “The greatest risks lead to the greatest rewards,” so if I do believe how does my faith support that notion?
Clearly God already has declared who He is…now I just need to actively believe it.
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17)
He said that he’s recently been asking himself what it means to RISK in a situation and deciphering his fears from what God might be asking him to face.
So now I’m thinking about risk and fear and how I approach those things. What do I hold back from because I’m scared? Where do I take risks? When is God trying to guide me to a place of vulnerability but my fear takes reign and I do nothing?
I don’t have any answers to that right now. But I hope the next time I’m faced with an option or choice I actively reconcile what it is I’m afraid of and why before responding. I don’t believe this is limited to more “attractive” decisions such as going for that job, opting to pursue that person who caught your eye, or taking on another project/volunteering, but it can also encompass making a challenging decision that isn’t attractive and feels sad, and yet know that difficult decision will reap greatness later. I whole-heartedly believe the expression, “The greatest risks lead to the greatest rewards,” so if I do believe how does my faith support that notion?
Clearly God already has declared who He is…now I just need to actively believe it.
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and rescues them from all their troubles. (Psalm 34:17)
Trust in the Lord and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him. (Psalm 37:3-5, 7a)
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my help and my God. By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his son is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. (Psalm 42: 5,8)
Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. (Psalm 61:1-4)
My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. (Psalm 62:1-2)
You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress; my God in whom I trust." (Psalm 91:1-2)
Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation. (Psalm 91:14-16)
3 comments:
I like this risk taker Steve ;) (ahem, met Mark right??) I like a man who will PURSUE. Am reading Fearless by Max Lucado right now - LOVE IT. xoxo Jen.
Good words of encouragement, Kari! :)
I'm reading, "Inside Out" by Larry Crabb and he talks about our 'self-protection' tendencies and how they keep us from TRULY loving others.
Quite a challenge, but great to keep top of mind. I have been thinking about that a lot as well. Seems like RISK is sometimes the name of the game these days.
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