Staying Steady

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Psalm 46:1

I came home not long ago from teaching a bible study in Houston. It was one of those times when I really sensed the Spirit using me, and I could see women responding to Him. I remember driving home that evening feeling such gratitude and confidence in the Lord.

When I got home I began to check email and then I surfed on over to Facebook. I saw a plethora of fresh pictures from a baby shower with my dearest friends. Why was I not there?!  I didn’t recall getting an invitation in the mail. I’m looking at beautiful pictures of all of my closest friends celebrating the life of this precious newborn that we’d all prayed fervently for … and I was not included in the celebration.

And just like that, in a matter of a few minutes, I’d moved from a place of gratitude and contentment to a place of great insecurity. My mind wandered  . . . Did I offend someone and get kicked off the island? What’s going on here?!

It turned out that several of the invitations came back to the hostess with insufficient postage. Whew! I was relieved! A simple explanation, but my proverbial cage had been rattled.

This “ordeal” reminded me of an experience the prophet Elijah had. In 1 Kings 18, Elijah stood up to some false prophets and bravely called down fire from heaven to prove before hundreds of men, women and children that there is but one true God. He then had those 450 prophets of Baal executed.

Elijah moved in such great confidence, secure in his faith – perhaps with a little swagger.  However, in the very next chapter, he was undone by one woman (we have that sort of power, you know).  Jezebel sent this message to him: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them” (1 Kings 19:2).

How do you think Elijah responded to this woman’s threat? A few hours earlier, he called down fire from heaven and killed hundreds of men.  But after the threat of one woman, “Elijah was afraid and fled for his life” (1 Kings 19:3). He was rattled to the core, totally insecure and running for his life. Do you think it was because he expected a reward for doing God’s work and instead received a death threat? Was he undone because God didn’t do what he thought God should do?

Can you identify?  We can be so full of confidence one minute and so full of fear and insecurity the next.

What’s your hot button of insecurity? Rejection. Abandonment. Health. Finances. Relationships. Physical appearance. Marriage. Career. Kids. World Events.

I find that as I grow in my relationship with Christ, I’m more acquainted with finding my security in Him.  That’s not merely because I’ve attended church or taught a bible study (though connection with others is an essential part of growing in the Lord and dealing with things like insecurity.  Read that again). That security only comes from intimately connecting with the one true God. I need Him to shed light on it and remind me of what’s really true: “I will never leave you or forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

Elijah felt insecure and ran away, but God found him. And when He did, Elijah poured out His heart to Him. God’s response was to feed Elijah, give him water, and let him sleep. After that, He told Elijah to get up and walk with Him for a bit. Elijah’s confidence was restored because he reconnected with his God. Elijah went right back in to battle, with a renewed sense of security.

Perhaps You need to be reminded, just like me and Elijah, you are never alone, and God will never leave you or forsake you.

Or, maybe God wants you to be available to make this truth tangible in the life of someone else.   ~ Laura Seifert

Sacred Story is honored to have Laura Seifert as a guest contributor this month. Laura has been involved in ministry for over 15 years. Her passion is teaching women and making simple the profound truths of God’s Word.  Laura is currently serving on staff with Revolution Within, a discipleship ministry in Houston, TX. She also enjoys speaking at numerous women’s retreats each year, and is currently teaching bible studies throughout greater Houston.  Laura is married to a wonderful man, Jason, who serves as the Director of Campus Development at Houston’s First Baptist Church.  The two enjoy spending time together with their two children Ben (8) and Beth (6). 

 


 

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