Extreme - Five Minute Friday

Dictionary.com defines extreme as of a character or kind farthest removed from the ordinary or average. What pictures of extreme come to mind first for you? It may depend on what you’ve most recently seen or heard. Local and national news offer many examples, and social media contributes more than its fair share. 

But this morning, I read again about Peter’s water-walking encounter with Jesus in Matthew. There’s extreme wind and waves, extreme fear, and extreme momentary faith. But central to it all is the ultimate one, the one most farthest removed from the ordinary or average-- Jesus. 

Extreme faith in Jesus is life-changing. 

Like Peter, we often become distracted by everything around us, but, thank God, refocusing again and again on Jesus keeps us afloat. 

All things are possible for the one who believes. Mark 9:23

Put Your Foot in the Door

"All open doors offer two choices: to walk by faith or to be controlled by fear. ... Fear usually enters in when a person focuses on his or her situation and abilities rather than on God's sovereignty and attributes." - Dr. David Jeremiah in The Jeremiah Study Bible

Writing is an open door. It's scary work, though a good writer makes it look easy. Today we're able to share our words, but the door is quickly closing, leaving no time for fear or stutter-stepping

And life is coming at us fast. So fast and hard right now that before we can pop up and take a deep breath, the next wave knocks us back under.

COVID-19 has raised fear to a whole new level. It has affected us globally and in our homes. It has attempted to obstruct our view and obliterate our definition of hope.  Focusing on the virus, still very much a situation, cripples us and robs us of the joy Jesus came to give us in abundance. 

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

So, if a spirit of fear is not from God, it can't be good for us. It can't take up residence in our hearts and lives. It has to go.

But, easier said than done, right?

True, if we attempt to defeat it in our own strength and wisdom, it's a losing battle.

If I allow the enemy to convince me I'm personally responsible for getting the words on the page and into the busy lives of my reader, I'm focusing on my abilities. But if I daily, intentionally set my focus on God's strength and attributes rather than my situations or abilities, I kick fear to the curb as I walk by faith.

Jesus has already made the exchange that's made it all possible; I just have to tap into it and remember He is the source of my strength. God's sovereignty and attributes are unchangeable.

We can really only see clearly what is in our central vision, physically and mentally. Notice how true this is by picking one thing around you to look at.  See how other things fill the peripheral but are less important and vivid?

Same medicine for fear. God's faithfulness and character, when the main focus, crowd out fear and empower us to stick our feet in closing doors and offer the oxygen of hope to sinking spirits.

We may not even realize we've been holding our breath.