Pressing On

Fears and failures.  Those two things can really trip me up.  I let my past failures dictate my today.  I let the fear of future failures dictate my tomorrow.  But this should not be so.  I have the power of the Holy Spirit in me.  That is some pretty powerful stuff!  : )  In my quiet time this morning God just showed me how he wants me to overcome my fears and failures and press on.  Not in my own strength, but by using His Spirit and His Word and to speak His truths over me and my family. 

One fear is with my children.  I fear that because of my past failures I have wrecked their future.  First of all, I really don't have that type of power! : )  Also, what does God's word really say?  "The Lord your God will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love him with all your heart and soul and that you may live!"  (Deut. 30:6)  He also tells us he has plans for us to give us hope and a future, and that he can rebuild what has been destroyed.  My children are in the Lord's hands and nothing and no one can snatch them away!  I was talking to my oldest daughter and apologizing that I had made some mistakes that I thought effected her and her siblings and she stops me and says, "Mom, I think you are amazing, if you didn't make those mistakes then one of us kids probably would.  We get to see what not to do.  It's either you or us mom."  Well if that's the case then I am glad it was me!!  : )

I also fear about my health.  What if I can't make the changes necessary?  Am I then setting my family up for future disease?  Why didn't I take better care of myself?  How much more pain is in my future?  Then I remember the complete and total blessing MS has been to my life.  I would want it again.  Because of MS I am able to learn about nutrition and our bodies and give my children knowledge they would have never had before.  If/when pain comes on stronger I know God will be all the strength I need.  "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you.  He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you."  (Deut 31:8)

I think Paul sums it up in Phil 3:12-14, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been make perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."