I am very glad to host KATIE REID on my Blog today. I enjoyed reading this article and it will uplift you too.
Please settle in, read, reflect, pray and share your comments. God Bless.
My daughter
and I attended a gymnastics meet at the local university. We were mesmerized as
the athletes leapt over the vault, spun around the uneven bars, and soared
through the air during their floor exercises.
The coach gave
each gymnast a pep talk before their routine. I imagine that they reminded them
to focus, breath deep, and remember their training. They ended with a fist bump
and “You’ve got this.”
As I watched
one of the athletes get ready for her event I noticed that her hands were
shaking. She looked nervous and unsure of herself but she charged ahead when
her time came to compete.
That’s when it
hit me. The gymnasts practice facing
their fears and have learned to compete, in spite of feeling afraid. They
don’t let fear stop them from doing what they were made to do.
They
put in the time day after day to improve their skills but
there is a still a strong element of risk, uncertainty and fear as they
approach each apparatus during a meet.
Even if they
are confident in their abilities, they realize that something could go wrong,
they could come up short, or their body might let them down.
But they forge
ahead anyway. They are committed to
their goal. They are focused on what is before them and they are driven to
do their best.
How many times
do I avoid something because I over-analyze the risk factors or focus on my
fears? Of course, it can be a good thing to be cautious, but lately my cautious
outlook has crippled my forward motion.
The heavy
weights of “what ifs” are “who do you think you are?” have kept me from living
free. The news, the reports, and the suffering all around threatens to paralyze
my purpose; to live fully for Jesus, delighting in His company and following
His ways.
What if we
practice facing our fears by choosing to go forward, when we are called? Ready
or not we spring ahead and give it our best. We put in the time day after day
and choose to listen to His instructions and flex our faith muscles.
We still might
feel afraid but we decide to follow God’s Word anyway, to trust His voice, to
breathe deeply and focus on what is set before us.
•
Has He led you to travel to a far off
place or to get to know your neighbor better?
•
Has He told you to forgive a loved one
once and for all or to forgive yourself?
•
Has He asked you to move or to stay?
Whatever lies
before us, let’s face it...knowing that we can do it because God is cheering us
on as we face each challenge.
About
the Author:
Katie Reid is
the Tightly Wound Woman, a recovering perfectionist who fumbles to receive and
extend grace in everyday moments. She delights in her husband, four children
and their life in ministry. Studying God’s Word, writing, singing/songwriting,
photography and cut-to-the-chase conversations are a few of her favorite
things.
Labels: My Awesome Guest