End of week one

My last post I wrote some things that have happenened in my life and things that still bind me up. Thanks for your responses. They are very encouraging! I am going to combine a few resources today that may seem really odd and certainly are not on the same status by any means but do cover similiar points. I was watching Dr. Phil yesterday (ok, I like to watch him..what of it? lol) and there were people on there suffering for long periods of time about labels they were given..how ironic to see that very show after what I had written! Here's what I took from it... the litmus test on our labels..

#1 Is it a true fact?
#2 Does it serve my best interest?
#3 Does it get me what I want?
#4 Does it protect and prolong my health?

The fact that long after those experiences have happened and we have rid ourselves of those negative people, WE pick up those labels and continue to bash ourselves over the head with them...millions more times than any one person ever could. WE allow ourselves to be our own bully! Yikes!

When I look at #2 and ask if it serves my best interest, I also have to ask if it is in the best interet of God..Of course it isn't. Would any Father or parent want their child to demean themselves and not be all they are made to be? To not live up to our full potential in this life, we are robbing not only us but those that love us ; Mainly God as our creator and heavenly Father. He did not knit me in my mother's womb and have a plan to prosper me only for me to waste it on such negativity! It would devastate ME to see my beautiful children suffer from their own words for as many years as I have. Now that I am a parent, I can see how God loves me. If he can love me more than I love my own children than how can I possibly go wrong? I personally cannot fathom that there is a love greater but I am told it is true!

By replacing my ongoing tape recorder of fear statements in my head and replacing them with God's words of love and truth I can finally hear the REAL truth, straight from my maker himself! Now to arm myself with scriptures that speak that truth. That is one thing I have not tried before but it is a true priority now! What scriptures do you have that speak to you in times of weakness?

Fear is something that I also suffer from at times, okay a lot of times. Anything from making the wrong decision about dinner (I know, dumb) to fear of losing my family or even my fear of failure and ridicule. Though it does not consume me, my husband could tell you that my first word out of my mouth when he approaches me with something new is "NO" and I start to ask a million questions and get in a tizzy. Over 10 years of marriage, he has learned to let that part pass and I always come around to the rational. But it is hard getting closer to God, new friends, new ideas...just about anything when my first reaction is No.

When I did a bible study last year with my ray of sunshine friend, here is a card that we received in our study Esther. It is below..

IF= I Fear

"If____________, then God will take care of me. If__________, then God has a plan.
If____________, then God desires to accomplish something monumental in me and If____, then God's going to demostrate His sufficency to me."

I have always kept this card near me where I can see it. It brings me peace at times but I have still failed to get over that hump. I am going to surrender my heart so God can have it.. That is my plan anyway because I know freedom awaits.