A couple of months ago we had an event and were serving and ministering on and off the water to a group of about 20 or so women who had come out of some tough backgrounds...
The group of women had a few leaders who ran the program that they were all in. One of the leaders was not planning on joining in the activities... she was planning on hanging back and helping others experience joy and victory over fears of the water, but she did not want to hold herself to the same standards... due to fear.
To make a long story short, towards the end of the day the lady decided to ride in the boat to help cheer some of the other ladies on. After we had successfully gotten all of the other ladies up on skis we all looked to her and said "Well, (so and so) are you ready to do it?" She replied "no, i can't do it, i'm too afraid." We said back to her "you're going to be ok, first of all, God is with you right?" She replied: "Yeah I know, but I'm so scared."
I then told her that I would go out on the water right next to her and hold her skis for her while she tried getting up on the water, she then asked "will you jump in after me if I fall"? I replied "yes, absolutely". So we scooted her off the side of the boat and on to the bar to grab on. As soon as she emerged into the water she began screaming even more, so I decided to pray to the Lord and asked Him 'what I should do?' I heard the Lord say "cast that fear out of her". So I turned to her and said "spirit of fear, be gone out of her in the name of Jesus, you are not welcome in her". She then began to calm down some and was able to concentrate on the instruction that I we were giving her. When she finally got into position I told the boat driver "hit it".. Then the boat accelerated quickly and before she knew it she was up on top of the water skiing for her first time!
^
(This is a picture of the system that we use when we are teaching most of them to ski, this is not the picture of the lady)
It occurs to me that many of us do the same in our walk from time to time, and some times, all the time. We see an opportunity, we know it's possible with God, but we just barely let fear come in our way, just enough so that in time we will eventually say; "that could never be done". You see, fear builds over time, just like faith builds over time, so if you walk in fear, then you're probably a fearful person, but if you walk in faith, then you're probably a faithful person.
This story is a great example of how when we are cleansed from things (like fear) that are not of God, then we can begin to hear Him clearly and act on what we have heard. Just like the lady was delivered from fear, heard what was being instructed to her and then experienced victory over water for the first time in her life.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. -Jesus
The group of women had a few leaders who ran the program that they were all in. One of the leaders was not planning on joining in the activities... she was planning on hanging back and helping others experience joy and victory over fears of the water, but she did not want to hold herself to the same standards... due to fear.
To make a long story short, towards the end of the day the lady decided to ride in the boat to help cheer some of the other ladies on. After we had successfully gotten all of the other ladies up on skis we all looked to her and said "Well, (so and so) are you ready to do it?" She replied "no, i can't do it, i'm too afraid." We said back to her "you're going to be ok, first of all, God is with you right?" She replied: "Yeah I know, but I'm so scared."
I then told her that I would go out on the water right next to her and hold her skis for her while she tried getting up on the water, she then asked "will you jump in after me if I fall"? I replied "yes, absolutely". So we scooted her off the side of the boat and on to the bar to grab on. As soon as she emerged into the water she began screaming even more, so I decided to pray to the Lord and asked Him 'what I should do?' I heard the Lord say "cast that fear out of her". So I turned to her and said "spirit of fear, be gone out of her in the name of Jesus, you are not welcome in her". She then began to calm down some and was able to concentrate on the instruction that I we were giving her. When she finally got into position I told the boat driver "hit it".. Then the boat accelerated quickly and before she knew it she was up on top of the water skiing for her first time!
^
(This is a picture of the system that we use when we are teaching most of them to ski, this is not the picture of the lady)
It occurs to me that many of us do the same in our walk from time to time, and some times, all the time. We see an opportunity, we know it's possible with God, but we just barely let fear come in our way, just enough so that in time we will eventually say; "that could never be done". You see, fear builds over time, just like faith builds over time, so if you walk in fear, then you're probably a fearful person, but if you walk in faith, then you're probably a faithful person.
This story is a great example of how when we are cleansed from things (like fear) that are not of God, then we can begin to hear Him clearly and act on what we have heard. Just like the lady was delivered from fear, heard what was being instructed to her and then experienced victory over water for the first time in her life.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. -Jesus
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