Scattering the Shadows

Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. ~ Isaiah 41:10 AMPC

Last night, I woke up after nightmares feeling nauseous—the 3^rd night in a row. After lying awake for several minutes, I heard Jesus singing over me, “I will cast my cares on You.” In the dark, I moved to my God-chair and half prayed, half cried at the realization of the weight I’d been carrying. But God spoke, scattering the shadows and breaking-up the lie. “It’s not your responsibility,” He said.

Unfortunately, this is not my first rendezvous with lies and shadows. But at the sound of His voice, God brought the light and everything became clear.

Isaiah 41:10 is a promise—a declaration—first revealed to me in 2015, when I was engulfed by darkness and shadows. But God stepped into that pit and pulled me out, holding me in the safety of His embrace. Last night, rereading that promise, He reminded me, “I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you.” The enemy’s going to bring his worst, his A-game, with fear, condemnation, guilt, and shame. But God has promised to hold me up with His victorious right hand.

If someone you know is walking in a realm of shadows and darkness, keep praying for them. James 5:16 declares, “The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available (dynamic in its working),” (AMPC). Let God do the fighting, breaking up the darkness and scattering the shadows.

Father, thank you for Your promise to help and uphold us in Your victory. Thank you for giving us a Spirit of Power, Love, and a Sound Mind. Thank you that we have been given the mind of Christ and are guided by His thoughts and purposes. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

©Heather Potts 2017

Don't Jump the Gun

…Prepare ye the way of the LORD… ~ Isaiah 40:3 KJV

Growing up on the swim team, one of the most intense parts was waiting in the “start” position. The official calls the swimmers to step up onto the blocks and to “take your mark.” But the key is holding that position for several seconds without “jumping the gun,” which marks the beginning of the race. Any swimmer who dives or falls off the block before the gun or tone sounds is automatically disqualified. But once you’re in that “start” position, huge amounts of adrenalin begin coursing through your body and it becomes harder and harder to wait.

That’s where we are now.

God has shown us that He’s preparing us for something—and something for us—but because we don’t have all the important details, we’re having to wait. And waiting is hard, just ask any small child. But waiting has a couple purposes. 1) Waiting reveals the condition of your heart. It’s easy to “go.” It takes discipline and obedience to “wait.” Like the swimmer who’s disqualified for an early start, we can miss out on certain blessings because we didn’t trust God and “hold our position” until He started the race.   2) Waiting strengthens your faith. When you know that you’re about to embark on a new adventure, you’re super excited. But as time drags on, the process isn’t as easy as you thought, and unexpected challenges arise, it can be easy to throw in the towel and walk away. But the struggle “produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope,” which builds our faith (Romans 5:3-4; Hebrews 11:1).

If, like us, you’re in that “start” position but you haven’t been given the “go ahead,” don’t jump the gun! Instead, do as Psalm 27:14 encourages: Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

©Heather Potts 2017

Precious Real Estate

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. ~ 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

With looming decisions before us, fear whispered, “What if this fails? What if you make the wrong decision?” When I shared my fears with Brad, he said we’d be diligent in seeking God’s direction, but what was I going to do about my fears?

How do I conquer my fears? What am I going to do about it? What’s my part?

Then Holy Spirit whispered, “Renew your mind.” He reminded me that I haven’t been given a spirit of fear, (2 Timothy 1:7). The Greek definition of “given” is “to give something to someone…to his advantage…give to one asking; give as a gift…something to be administered, such as property…to pay, wages or reward.” Are these fears to my advantage? Are they a gift? Are they something I’ve asked for? Are they payment for something I’ve done? Are they things I want to own?

NO!

Then it must be deduced that fear is NOT from God. So why accept fears? Why give them precious real estate in my mind?

“Do not be conformed to this world…but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God…[for you],” (Romans 12:2 AMPC). I need to choose to change, transform and renew, my ENTIRE mind, until it reflects that of Jesus. I have been given the mind of Christ and I am guided by His thoughts and purposes, (1 Corinthians 2:16). Therefore, I can choose to accept what fear says and allow it to consume my mind. Or, I can reject it through the daily renewal of my entire mind.

If, like me, you’ve allowed fear to take up precious real estate in your mind, it’s time to issue the eviction notice and change tenants. Exchange a spirit of fear for a Spirit of Power, Love, and a Sound Mind.

©Heather Potts 2017

Testimony Part 2

Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD! ~ Psalm 27:14 ESV

A testimony is a story of how God moved in an otherwise hopeless situation. A testimony—a story of hope—was definitely what I needed. Once again, on this journey, the way is not nearly as neat or smooth as we’d like. The way has felt elusive and the choices intimidating. Similarly, to a child, I’ve been pitching a fit, demanding what feels good and comfortable. Fortunately, I have an awesome Dad and He used redirection to help me see the situation a little more clearly.

Instead of telling me that I need to trust Him, “because He said so,” He did something much more inspiring. He used the testimonies of women whom I love and respect. One by one, He brought to my remembrance the stories of strong women in my life who have stood where I now stand and who walked on paths similar to mine. God showed me that He brought them through their seasons victoriously and promised to do the same for me. In the moment of my surrender, I felt both peace and the most heart-felt gratitude toward each of these women who are a living testimony to me.

It’s no coincidence that it’s Mother’s Day weekend, a time when we honor our blood mothers, adopted mothers, surrogate mothers, spiritual mothers, and honorary mothers. If there is a woman in your life who has been a living testimony for you, be sure to thank her and pray for her journey. And, if like me, you are on a journey where the answers feel unclear, obey the words in this Psalm: Be strong. Take courage. Wait for the Lord, standing firm on His promises.

Happy Mother’s Day!

©Heather Potts 2017

Greatest Impact

The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. ~ Psalm 18:2 NLT

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week. And while we don’t appreciate our school teachers enough for their countless hours, efforts, and prayers for our children, I think we also fail to see the impact that our church’s children’s ministries have on the whole family. If you have kids that still live at home, regardless of age, I encourage you (if you don’t already have one) to find a church with an emphasis on raising up the next generation. The children’s pastors, teachers, and countless volunteers at our church home partner with us to teach our children about God’s love for them, raising them up in the way that they should go, (Proverbs 22:6).

A partnership means that we, the parents, have a role, too. The first of which is a healthy relationship with God, then our spouse, and finally, our children. One of the pastors at our church wrote a curriculum for parents, which we were supposed to lead the semester that Brad hurt his back. Praise God we are through that season! This year, however, with the struggles we’ve had with Savannah, we went back to that curriculum, this time as the students. We needed HELP and, thankfully, that’s what the curriculum was called and gave us. Of all the things we learned, the most impactful was having daily Bible reading and prayer as a couple. While we’d been having individual God-time, we’d never done it as a couple. Reading scripture and praying together had the GREATEST impact on our marriage and, as a result, on our parenting and relationships with our kids.

First, I want to thank our pastor for the emphasis he puts on the next generation. I also want to thank all of our next generation pastors, leaders, teachers, and volunteers who partner with us in raising up our girls in the calling that God has placed upon their lives.

Second, I want to encourage you, if you are married—regardless of having children in your home—to start a daily Bible reading plan with your spouse. It will impact your marriage in ways that you could never have imagined and will be the greatest gift you give yourself.

©Heather Potts 2017