Just in time for Mother’s Day weekend, I’ve invited my friend Karen Ehman to share a devotional with us from her new book, Pressing Pause: 100 Quiet Moments for Moms to Meet with Jesus. We’re also giving away TWO COPIES of the book and one beautiful bracelet. Keeping reading to find out more.
As a little girl I loved being outdoors. I could often be found playing kickball with the neighborhood kids or riding my bike around the block. I liked to splash in puddles and jump in piles of leaves. There was one aspect, however, about being outside that I didn’t particularly care for: the critters.
Spiders were scary … dogs terrifying. And I couldn’t even bear the thought of snakes.
My intense fear of these creatures often kept me from fully engaging in play.
Unfortunately, even when I didn’t encounter creepy-crawlies outdoors, they occasionally wound up in my dreams at night. I would have the same reoccurring nightmare of snakes slithering toward me while I stood frozen, unable to run away. When I would wake up, I would be in a panic, heart wildly beating, palms sweating. I never thought my fears would go away until the one summer when I had no other choice.
The summer I turned 20, I took a job at a nature center teaching four-year-olds. It didn’t cross my mind that keeping company with critters would be a part of my duties. I had to capture insects to examine and release, scoop tadpoles to study pond life, and even hold the snakes that were kept in glass tanks in the main building.
Although everything in me wanted to run away, there were little eyes on me. So, I whispered a prayer for strength, pushed past my fears, and made those kids think I was a critter-lovin’ instructor whose calm demeanor (and lack of screaming!) showed them there was nothing to fear. If their teacher wasn’t freaking out, why should they?
Even though I worked through my fear that summer, as an adult now, I’m still tempted to “freak out” with fear. My imagination concocts all sorts of scenarios peppered with dread and doom. Sometimes I can’t shake fear as I try to fall asleep.
But I have come to trust this perspective-shifting truth: God is not worried. He’s not in heaven wringing His hands, wondering just how everything will eventually turn out. He is in control. He is loving.
God longs to use the circumstances of our lives to mold our mind, craft our character, and chase away the fears that threaten to slither in, paralyzing us and rendering us ineffective.
Ever the patient and wise teacher, if He isn’t freaking out, why should we?
Proverbs 3:24-26a is a sweet promise to us…
Now that passage doesn’t promise that we won’t ever encounter sudden disasters in life. But it does reassure us that we have no need to fear them. Why? Because the Lord—our gracious and wise teacher—is our security. He will be there to comfort and to guide as He teaches us the lessons we need to learn.
With God as our security, we can have calm in our present.
With God as our security, we can face the future without fear. And we can share this confidence we gain to inspire others, helping to keep them from unnecessary fret and worry.
Why it even helps me deal with little critters that get inside my house without squirming.
Well . . . without squirming too much.
Enter to Win
We are giving away two Pressing Pause devotionals and a beautiful bracelet from Fashion & Compassion. Written by my dear friends Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk, Pressing Pause: 100 Quiet Moments to Meet with Jesus offers us a calm way to start our day, to refresh ourselves in Christ and drink deeply of His presence so we are ready to pour out love, time, and energy into the people who matter most!
These 100 encouraging devotions for moms has helped me start each day with Scripture, drawing on God’s power, soaking up His Word, and learning practical ways to love and 
serve my family more like Christ each day. And one of my favorite features is the set of questions and optional journaling or notes area at the end of each day’s devotional.
Just a few minutes each day can help you center your heart and mind on what God has for you as His beloved daughter. So resist the rush. Halt the hustle. Press pause and find some calm in the chaos.
TO ENTER TO WIN simply click “Share Your Thoughts” below today’s post and do just that. Your comment will be your entry into the drawing! Two winners will be chosen and contacted on Monday, May 9th.
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It’s amazing how when we stop and truly trust in the Lord that we need not fear….
I need to pause in my busy life to remember God.
Wonderful devotion on facing our fears. I’m right there with you re: snakes! God instructs us not to fear but have courage. He is always with us. We have to call out his name JESUS!
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Aging parent and half grown children! Gods not worried but they are ever on the forefront of mine! Lots of prayers going up!
FEAR =false evidence appearing real
God gives us the strength and courage we need when we lay it at the foot of the cross.
I love your posts,blogs books etc as you play an intregal role in my learning to be closer to God. God bless you and your family.
I have a fear that I’m not the best parent for my kids. I mess up daily, but I love them dearly. I fear that I’m not doing enough and being the servant I should be. I’m a work in progress for sure. This is my year to go after JOY. I know that God is for me and that I just need to seek him and I’ll have all I need to overcome my fears and failures, but I’m human. Every day I struggle to find that balance between the Lord and the world. I’d love to have a chance to win this book. Happy Mother’s Day – have a great weekend!
Thank you for sharing that loved devotion. Im dealing with several fears myself now. I am trying to stay open to God and hear him.
Pressing Pause is something every woman needs to do on a daily basis. I am not any different from anyone else with my issues in life – husband in the hospital most of the time, trying to make a living on my salary alone, spending time with my wonderful grandchildren, dealing with life’s everyday issues. I feel my difference is – GOD! I always know he is on my side. Unfortunately, I do not make enough time for myself or GOD! I want to take a step back and regroup! Wishing EVERYONE A wonderful Happy Mothers Day! GOD BLESS
I too had a lot of fears growing up. I was afraid of spiders I still am I just can deal with them a little better it’s more of a hebie jeebie thing now. The main thing I was afraid of was the dark, I had to sleep with a night light and of course check in the closet and under the bed. I stayed afraid until I found Jesus which was about 8 years ago. I grew up not knowing about God I wasn’t taught that my parents never went to church. In comes my boyfriend (husband now) and introduces me to Jesus Wow did my whole life change all my fears just went away I found out that darkness can’t stand the light darkness has to flee in the name of Jesus he is my protector and my father my all in all. I thank him so much for coming into my life.:)
Blessings and Love to everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fraidy Cat….that’s me. I envision things to fear that may never happen. I also fear sharing my feelings and what others will think of me. What a blessing to know God knows my fears before I even think of them and has already dealt with them. Acronym for me: FEAR F Face E encounter A accept and R release.
We all need the reminder to rest in Him. Worrying does nothing but add stress to our lives. Would love the book for a daily reminder.
Dear Renee,
When I read about you nightmares about snakes, I can truly relate!
I remember being afraid to close my eyes, because I would see snakes immediately.
i would dream they were chasing me or crawling over my body.
i am very thankful God has taken that fear and so many others away over the years.
Thank you for your encouragements and love.
This simple phrase is soooo freeing! God’s not worried! Oh the fears that need to be relieved.
I would love to have a copy of this book!
Fear. I fear that I am not enough. I fear that I am not giving my son enough time. We are constantly going right now. If it isn’t baseball games, it’s practice, if it’s not practice then it’s games, it’s a never ending cycle, and then we get to throw in me working full time, doing both parenting duties (single mother here, husband passed), AND to top it off I am going back to school for my bachelors. I do not remember what tired felt like, exhausted yes, always. but this leads me to the fear of not doing enough, not being there enough…..how do I press pause with all this?
This is just what I needed to read today. I am letting fears rule my life instead of trusting God is in control.
Loved this encouraging story! Creepy crawlin’ spiders, my worst phobia! Not sure I’ll ever get victory on that one. But God has been faithful in helping me overcome many other worrisome issues so that I am free to experience that PEACE & JOY that has eluded me for too many years. So true — most of the stuff we waste time worrying over, NEVER comes to fruition. Praise God! Would be blessed to win this book!!
I would love this book!
If it were just that easy……struggling everyday to totally give the fears to God…..but somehow always taking some or all of them back. Reading this devotional has been such a blessing! Thank you….it was much needed!!!
My favorite memory verse… “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6&7
Thank you for posting this wonderful reminder of how much our JESUS cares! HE understands our frame and every season we walk through!
God has comforted me so many times over the past 7 months- praise Him! I’ve have 5 surgeries since October for colon cancer & will have another on May9th. I’m trusting in the Lord to provide comfort and peace in my heart. Praise Him for Daily Bread & Grace!
Thank you Renee! Your ministry is such an inspiration–Blessings always!