It’s been a while since I posted a blog. Not because I have nothing to share. Those who know me well know I have an opinion on most everything, right or wrong. But I sense a movement in my spirit; a transitioning if you will from something to something. If that is vague, it is because it is still unclear to me. I accept that, though not with great enthusiasm. Transition is hard especially when there is no clarity. I seem to want to know where I am going far into the future but God gives me today and no promise of tomorrow for a reason. I might be alone here, but I suspect not, but this often causes me anxiety and I get overwhelmed in the possibilities; paralyzed in the direction, or lack thereof. (Side note: anxiety manifest itself in behaviors such as over-eating, over-spending, anger, conflict to name a few.)

In an interesting passage in I Peter, the Apostle is speaking to a group that has been dispersed into place unfamiliar to them. They are in somewhat foreign cultures without the support of their spiritual community and without leadership. Peter is writing to give encouragement and refocus their discouragement to proper external relationships and internal resilience. He reminds them whose they are and to what they were called. God made a way through them to bring us the gospel. It was purposeful transitioning, but it was causing them anxiety and fear. In I Peter 3:6 there is an interesting phrase that has been the centerpiece of my quite time for several days. Speaking to wives, in a passage often offensive to independent women of today, Peter says this, using the example of Sarah for them/us to follow  “…if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening.” That’s a transitioning piece of advice. What keeps me paralyzed in what I know to do is fear; fear of failure, fear of judgement and scrutiny, fear of rejection. What raises my anxiety where I do not know the future is also fear; fear of missing God’s direction, fear of being too old, fear of having messed up or messing up.

Let’s remember Sarah, Abraham’s wife who he told to pretend she was his sister to save his own life. Anyone have a spouse like that? This had to be raise her anxiety a bit. The possible outcomes from that situation were endless and harmful to her welfare. Yet she trusted God and obeyed. Sarah is often remember for getting ahead of God with the whole maidservant thing. She is often the poster child for not trusting God for your future. Both extremes provide a full picture of encouragement and example from Peter. It raised the question for me; of what am I afraid and how can I overcome that fear? That list is long for me right now. Choosing a grad school, birth of new grandchildren, developing ABBA Life Coaching, retirement, dying. How can I overcome those fears?

• Act on what I know in a manner that glorifies God.
• Live in this moment with a focus toward others rather than myself alone.
• Trust the God of Sarah, my God and rest in His future grace and guidance.

The God of Sarah and Abraham and Peter has never let me down, ever. He will complete what he began and will give wisdom to those who ask. He will restore the broken hearted. He will restore what the ravens had eaten. His promises are true for those who believe.