Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
God 911
Wait!!!!
Psalms 27:13-14
I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Word Study
Wait – H7747 קָוָה1 qāwâ1, to hope in; to hope for, wait for, look for
Thoughts…
Wait is not my favorite word. As a matter of fact, it would probably rate pretty high on my top 10 least favorite words list. However, I read these verses in a totally different way when I am afraid, upset, sad, or my mental illness is strong with the force. The word wait to me means God is coming. I will be OK. This won’t last forever. It will pass. Things are going to get better.
Wait means I have hope! So, I will be strong and hang on because God is coming!
Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Turn the Page
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Word Study
Forgive – G918 ἀφίημι aphiēmi, to forgive, pardon, remit, cancel; to leave, abandon; to allow, permit, tolerate
Thoughts…
I know I usually have some background information for you and maybe a story. I hope I am not disappointing you today. I pray before I write and go where the Holy Spirit leads. I am being led to a very simple message that is just as much for me as it is to you.
FORGIVE YOURSELF!
God has already forgiven you. What right do you think you have to be contrary to God? Who gave you the authority to decide God was wrong and you need to punish yourself? Stop beating yourself up. Give yourself some grace. Love yourself. Forgive yourself. It is OK. Give yourself some space and time to heal. Give yourself some time to grow.
Today is just a page in your book. Now turn it!
Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
I Will Survive
Philippians 4:12
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.(NIV)
I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. (MSG)
Word Study
Content – feeling that one’s needs or desires have been met
Synonyms of content
contented, gratified, happy, pleased, satisfied, blissful, delighted, glad, joyful, joyous, jubilant, rejoicing, tickled, ecstatic, elated, enraptured, euphoric, overjoyed, rapturous, thrilled, appeased, mollified, pacified, placated
Thoughts…
Are you content? Have you ever felt contentment? There is this wonderful blanket of peace that wraps around you when you feel content. Did you know true contentment is a choice? Paul says he learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. The secret is choosing to be content.
Notice Paul did not say it was easy. He didn’t say he was happy, pleased, satisfied, blissful, delighted, glad, joyful, joyous, jubilant, rejoicing, tickled, ecstatic, elated, enraptured, euphoric, overjoyed, rapturous, thrilled, appeased, mollified, pacified, or placated. Yes, those are synonyms, but synonyms are not definitions.
Paul chose the word ικανοποιημένος for content. It is also the word for complacent. So, in reality, he is saying I am OK. We often say I am surviving. I am neither happy nor sad. I am just here.
This word content to me means, “I am a survivor!” It doesn’t matter what this world throws at me. I have learned to survive!
Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Walking in the Dark
Isaiah 50:10
Who among you fears the Lord
and obeys the word of his servant? Let the one who walks in the dark, who has no light,
trust in the name of the Lord
and rely on their God. (NIV)
Who out there fears God,
actually listens to the voice of his servant? For anyone out there who doesn’t know where you’re going, anyone groping in the dark, Here’s what: Trust in God. Lean on your God!
Word Study
Rely – H9128 שָׁעַן šāʽan, to lean oneself upon, rely on
Thoughts…
The Lord’s Ideal Servant Perseveres (50:4-11). In this third servant song the servant declared his confidence in God. He had not drawn back from the Lord’s commission, despite severe opposition and humiliation. He persevered, confident that the Lord would one day vindicate him before his enemies. The song concludes with an appeal for the servant’s faithful followers to continue to trust the Lord and with a warning of judgment to those who reject the Lord’s guidance (HCB Commentary).
Sometimes our world can come crashing in on us. Darkness looms all around. Isaiah reassures us to just keep walking. Trust God. You can’t see what is coming but He can. You can’t see in the dark but He can. Keep moving. Press on. Don’t give up.
Sometimes God leaves us in the dark because our enemy can’t see in the dark either.
Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
A Rock is My Pillow
Psalms 62:1-2
Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. (NIV)
God, the one and only— I’ll wait as long as he says. Everything I need comes from him, so why not? He’s solid rock under my feet, breathing room for my soul, An impregnable castle: I’m set for life.(MSG)
Word Study
Rest – H1875 דּוּמִיָּה dûmiyyâ, silence, stillness; rest
Rock – H7446 צוּר4 ṣûr4, rock; stone mass, rocky crag; a title of God, with a focus of stability, and possibly as a place of security and safety
Thoughts…
I struggle with PTSD. It often leaves me terrified right where I stand. The sights, sounds, and smells swirl around me taking me right back to those horrible events. I am stuck in a never-ending tape recording and reliving every single minute.
Today’s verses are some of the many I have learned to use to bring me back to reality. I close my eyes very tight and repeat them over and over until I begin to believe them.
Slowly the swirling wind begins to die. The darkness can no longer hold out the light. I find my feet. They are firmly planted on the rock. I am stable, secure and safe. Soon stillness settles over my soul. Silence fills my head. I can once again rest.
When your life starts tossing you to and fro, remember you have a rock where you can rest.
Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Satan Drove Me to My Knees and Laughed Until He Heard Me Say, ”Amen!”
2 Peter 3:17
Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. (NIV)
But you, friends, are well-warned. Be on guard lest you lose your footing and get swept off your feet by these lawless and loose-talking teachers. (MSG)
Word Study
Forewarned – G4589 προγινώσκω proginōskō, to know beforehand, foreknow; (mid.) to choose beforehand
Thoughts…
The abiding emphases in 2 Peter, with its call for spiritual growth (chap. 1), its warning of false teaching (chap. 2), and its call for holy living in view of the Lord’s certain return (chap. 3) are just as relevant for our generation as they were for Peter’s. Such features as these have commended it to the consciousness of the church as an inspired writing. Peter’s two letters help the church focus its response to external opposition (1 Peter) as well as to evildoers who have come into the church (2 Peter) (HCB Commentary).
You have been warned. You know. You have chosen to follow Christ. You have all the tools. You know what to do. You can do anything if you walk in God’s strength. Expect attacks but don’t fear them. Be prepared but not anxious. Go through this life with your eyes wide open and turned to God. You will get through any storm!
Remember when the world drives you to your knees they didn’t make you vulnerable. On the contrary, they drove you to your greatest strength.
Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Don’t Throw in the Towel; It Ain’t Over Yet!
Isaiah 40:29
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak. (NIV)
Word Study
Weary – H3617 יָעֵף3 yāʽēp3, weary, exhausted, fatigued
Weak – H226 אוֹן1 ’ôn1, power, strength, vigor, manhood; wealth, weak
Thoughts…
Where God had begun the work of grace, he will perfect it. He will help those who, in humble dependence on him, help themselves. As the day, so shall the strength be. In the strength of Divine grace their souls shall ascend above the world. They shall run the way of God’s commandments cheerfully. Let us watch against unbelief, pride, and self-confidence. If we go forth in our own strength, we shall faint, and utterly fall; but having our hearts and our hopes in heaven, we shall be carried above all difficulties, and be enabled to lay hold of the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus (Matthew Henery’s Concise Commentary).
Have you ever found yourself in a place where you cannot take one more step? Your would cannot face one more strike. All you can’t do is look up and say one word, ”Help!” This is where God rolls up his sleeves, rubs his hands together and says, ” Look out, now it is my turn!”
All the strength you need is always just a prayer away!
Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
Let the Storm Rage On!
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. (NIV)
Word Study
Steadfast – H6164 סָמַךְ sāmak, to sustain, uphold; to lay (one’s hand upon); to be braced, be steadfast; to lean upon, rely upon, gain confidence; [P] to strengthen, refresh
Thoughts…
mind … stayed–(Ps 112:7, 8). Jesus can create “perfect peace” within thy mind, though storms of trial rage without (Isa 57:19; Mr 4:39); as a city kept securely by a strong garrison within, though besieged without (so Php 4:7). “Keep,” literally, “guard as with a garrison.” HORSLEY translates, (God’s) workmanship (the Hebrew does not probably mean “mind,” but “a thing formed,” Eph 2:10), so constantly “supported”; or else “formed and supported (by Thee) Thou shalt preserve (it, namely, the righteous nation) in perpetual peace” (Jameson, Fausett, and Brown Commentary).
Living with any kind of mental illness, your idea of normal is so not what everyone else thinks. You live in a physical place for mere moments and then you walk on to the next spot. You live in your brain 100% of the time. When that brain is going to a very dark space, you are often just along for the ride. However, you are never alone on this journey. NEVER! Never! Never! What is swirling around in the brain like a giant typhoon can still find peace in the eye of the storm. It may not feel like it right now, but if you can just hang on to that hope and lean upon God you will find peace.
Find your inner Elsa. Let the storm rage on. WIth God, the cold never bothered me anyway!
Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.
I Got You
Isaiah 41:10 & 13
Don’t panic. I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. That’s right. Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go.
I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic.
I’m right here to help you.’ (MSG)
Word Study
Fear or Panic – H3707 יָרֵא1 yārē’1, to be afraid, be frightened; be dreadful, be feared; [P] to frighten, terrify, intimidate; terror and fright, fear (92), feared (12), be feared (4), dreadful (4), terrified (4), intimidate (3), alarmed (2), despair (2), frightened (2), have fear (2)
Thoughts…
Vs. 10-20. God speaks with tenderness; Fear thou not, for I am with thee: not only within call but present with thee. Art thou weak? I will strengthen thee. Art thou in want of friends? I will help thee in the time of need. Art thou ready to fall? I will uphold thee with that right hand which is full of righteousness (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary).
As I write this today I am fighting with a panic attack. I am shaking so bad I am struggling to type. Forgive me if there are errors and. Typos. it began when I picked up my bible to read today’s scriptures. I am not trying to say this is a direct attack from Satan, but it sure feels that way. the first thing I wanted to do was put it down and run. I am so glad I didn’t. Someone out there needs to know they are not alone. These verses remind us we are not alone! Verse 10 and 13 plainly state don’t panic, God is with me. He has a firm grip on me. I am not losing it. I need to just be still and let God hang on. Take a deep breath, Let go and let God.
I don’t know what you are going through right now. I only know you are not alone. Please don’t panic. Take a deep breath, let go and let God. Fall in his arms. Let him hold you. He will get you through this. He will not let go!
Copyright © 2019 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.