Conquering Fear with Faith Requires Action

September 20, 2015 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

This week my sister-in-law received news no woman wants to hear.

After going in for a mammogram to address some changes she’d been experiencing the last few months, she was referred for a 3D ultrasound and then for a biopsy later in the week.

She called me, thanking me for encouraging her to follow up on the unusual symptoms that prompted the initial visit to her GYN doctor. She also asked me to pray for her. The uncertainty evident in her voice, we both knew the results of this test could indicate a serious health concern, one no one wants to talk about at the young age of 36.

As a single mom of three kids ages 16, 13, and 11, the “what if’s” whirled. At the same time though, everything in her fought to trust the God who she knew had gotten her through a plethora of arduous situations the last few years.

The fear was there, yes. But she determined in her heart to not let the fear rule. Instead, she chose faith. And choosing faith in the middle of a trial requires action.

Choosing faith in the middle of a trial requires action.

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She chose to reach out to other believers to request prayer for specific needs and to focus her mind on God’s truths.

She asked for peace to replace the fear threatening to take over her thoughts.
She asked for patience as she awaited biopsy results.
She asked for favorable test results.
She asked for strength to walk whatever path was ahead.

In the middle of her trial, when it might have felt easier to try to attempt to control the situation and Google her way to the answers of looming questions, she chose to lean on faith instead of giving into the fear of the unknown.

Whether it’s a medical scare, a period of financial uncertainty, or a broken relationship, it only takes one trying situation for fear to take over our thoughts and wreak havoc on the peace in our heart.

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us…

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

God’s word reminds us that we’re NOT going to understand everything that happens in this life. But you know, I don’t think we’re supposed to understand everything.

Trusting God is an integral part of growing in faith.

Learning to acknowledge Him in the middle of our trials squelches the fear that is human nature and replaces it with a growing measure of faith.

Our confidence in His provision for our lives grows as we walk through trials. We seek Him, pushing away fear, and embracing an active faith in the One who created us and loves us unconditionally.

I’m not going to pretend this is easy!

In my life, this looks like daily submission to God’s ways, remembering He is in control, not me. However sometimes I really struggle to remember!

I’ve found that constant visual reminders really help. Scripture on my shower curtain and pillows on the couch and in my office chair bring God’s truth to my mind during the day and help to quiet my overly anxious heart. Scripture on the walls helps too.

For me, the process of pushing away fear and instead embracing a growing faith has been just that, a process. I’m learning the importance of trusting God to make good on His promises to make all things work for good in my life (Romans 8:28).

What about you? What helps you combat fear in your life and instead trust God as you grow in faith?

Thank you to Family Christian for providing pillows for the photos for this post from their new home goods line. Affiliate links are included in this post. When you click and purchase, I receive a very small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. These funds help keep the doors open here at The Mosaic Life and support Eva, our Compassion International child in Columbia.

You Were Made To Fly ~ Faith & Fellowship Friday {A Community Link-Up}

September 18, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

What’s holding you back from a rich spiritual life?

For me for the longest time it was years spent in a religious tradition that valued rules and regulations over relationship. While I developed strong relationships with other Christian brothers and sisters, many of whom are still some of my closest friends, my relationship with God suffered.

When I was 16, I knew there was something more that I was missing. I wondered aloud to my sister in the car one day, “Why have we been taught all these things about God but no one has ever taught us how to know Him?“

Years later I’m just now discovering the freedom Christ offers us as believers.

God woke me up this morning with the lyrics to the song Make Me More Free playing over and over in my mind. Maybe I needed a reminder!

(click the play button to listen)

Help me to see, free me

To see You and know You

To know I am known

Help me to see You, see me

And know I am Yours alone

With wings like an eagle, my heart made to fly

Over sin, over sorrow, to new realms of life

From glory to glory, my gaze fixed so high

That I only see Jesus, the love of my life

My heart is no longer held back by a narrow interpretation of the body of Christ and instead I’ve started building stronger relationships with other Christians and with God, my creator, sustainer, friend, and provider. It’s a beautiful thing, freedom.

So what’s holding you back in your spiritual walk?

Be encouraged today. Christ came to set you free. God promises to provide and loves you as His child. Break free and FLY!

This post is part of the Five Minute Friday weekly link-up. Today’s writing prompt was HOLD.

Also, I’m so excited to be co-hosting this week’s Faith and Fellowship Blog Hop along with Susannah from Simple Moments Stick. Take a moment to link up your latest encouraging, faith-building posts. Let’s continue to encourage one another on this journey of becoming more like Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

So continue encouraging each other and building each other up, just like you are doing already.

So continue encouraging each other and building each other up, just like you are doing already.

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Faith and Fellowship Guidelines

1. Link up a post (not just the link to your blog) from the week that shares what the Lord’s been doing in your life or speaking to you.2. Put the button on your blog post or blog so that others can hear about this wonderful group of Godly women.

3. Visit as many blogs as you’re able and get to know your sisters in Christ!

4. Share this blog hop on social media using #faithandfellowship or pin the button on Pinterest.

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Your Host:

Susannah from Simple Moments Stick

If you’d like to cohost in the future, please email Susannah at susannah.kellogg (at) gmail.com

This Week’s Co-Host:

LeeAnn from Embracing the Mosaic Life

Now it’s your turn! Link up your faith-based, encouraging posts here:

An InLinkz Link-up

Sunday Scripture: God Holds Your Hand

July 20, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

He’s turned 2, that age when “I do it!” is heard more times than I pick up toys from the floor on a typical day. {in case you’re wondering…that’s a lot!} His normal modus operandi is to charge forward in life, feet ahead of him at times, full speed ahead.

On this day though, he grabs my hand…and the handrail. We’re in a new place and he’s unsure about the steps and the rocky gravel below. I’d offer even that he’s a little scared of the path ahead.

But holding my hand?

He’s willing to try something new, knowing that I’m there to steady his walk, unwilling to let go and allow him to stumble.

And this, like so many other pictures of His greatness God gives us in the everyday, is a reminder of God’s love for us as our Father.

So why, dear friends, do we flail in the unknown, uncertain places of our lives?

Instead of grasping God’s outstretched hand when we’re afraid of the path ahead, we, in our own fleshly wisdom, march down those uncertain stairs, determined to do it on our own, but wobbling and fearful the whole way down.

Holding God’s hand, we can release fear and walk confidently forward, even in the uncertain places. {Isaiah 41:13}

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Today, let’s instead remember God’s faithfulness to stand with us in the hard times {and the good ones too!}. He offers His hand and reminds us we have nothing to fear. As our creator and our daddy, He’s here to help us on the journey. We just have to take His hand and walk the path laid in front of us.

Reflect on the truth shared in Isaiah and be encouraged of God’s presence in your life today and everyday.

Isaiah 41:13

For I am the Lord your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you,
Don’t fear; I will help you.

photo credit: Charlotte90T via photopin cc

Are you enjoying these posts? Take a minute and forward the email to a friend or use the social sharing buttons to share on a friend’s Facebook wall. Let’s encourage one another to continue faithfully the walk He’s called us to, whatever that path may look like for you today.

Sharing today with Scripture and a Snapshot, Sunday Stillness, Give Me Grace, and The Weekend Brew.

I Need You: A Challenge to Radically Trust God

July 16, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

At midnight last night my husband Chuck quietly arrived in our bedroom after a long day of work. He scooped up our 5 year old, who had managed to snuggle up next to me close enough that I had just a sliver of our king sized bed to myself, and he deposited her back into her bed.

As usual, as he was getting ready for bed I asked about the highlights of his day because, let’s be honest, what else am I going to remember at midnight about his day? Midnight, especially for a pregnant momma just awoken from a deep sleep, is not the time to be having deep conversations.

Except that last night, we did.

In the middle of sharing his daily highlights, he remembered a text he got from me yesterday:

“Can we have another money conversation? I need some help talking out a mindset & cash flow change please.”

So, at midnight last night Chuck and I had one of “those talks.” Dave Ramsey calls them “budget committee meetings” and I call them frustrating.

In our house, I’m the saver and Chuck’s the spender, meaning I do the budget and pay the bills and pay attention to all things money, then we talk once a month about how we’re doing. Except that lately, there’s not been much to talk about. It’s the same thing every month.

The budget doesn’t balance. We use the credit card to “float” gas, groceries, and other expenses not otherwise drafted from our account. We try to pay it off each month. And we pray God provides to cover the gap and any unexpected expenses.

Because it’s been like this for at least 18 months or longer, we don’t have much to talk about in our budget meetings. But around the 15th of the month (not coincidentally my payday) I at least am looking at the expenses and trying to figure out if we can pay what we charged on the credit card that month and whether or not by some miracle (literally) we are able to pay on the balance we’re still carrying from 2013.

This is why budget meetings frustrate me. It feels like we’re stuck. We have dreams of financial freedom & of opportunities to serve and bless others in big ways.

Chuck’s business is doing well, but at this point, it’s just paying for itself. I got a promotion and a raise at the beginning of the year, but it’s still not enough to make the budget balance. I even got a side job working as a virtual assistant at night a few hours a week and that has helped some. But in the end, the amount coming in doesn’t match the amount scheduled to come out. It’s a frustrating place to be.

photo credit: kenteegardin via photopin cc

So back to the mindset change I mentioned. For months and months our plan of action has been the same.

Get paid.
Tithe.
Pay autodrafts with checking account.
Use credit card to “float” other expenses.
REPEAT.

Through it all, Chuck has challenged me to trust God on his promise to provide:

“My God will meet your every need out of his riches in the glory that is found in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19

My God will meet your every need out of his riches in the glory that is found in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

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Over and over again I have seen proof of God’s faithfulness. The stories of blessings we have received at just the right time are numerous. But through it all, my heart has not been quite right. Yes, I’ve grown in trusting God to provide for our needs, but in the back of my mind, there was always the “safety net” of the credit card, floating along our expenses for a few weeks until I got paid again. As a result, I’ve not been trusting Him fully.

And so, our midnight talk last night involved me trying to explain the math to Chuck while laying in the bed instead of showing him on the computer (bad move on my part…he’s a visual guy) and then sharing my heart about needing to trust God fully…meaning no more credit card.

Dave Ramsey would be proud!

Practically, this will mean those expenses we put on the credit card for this past month won’t get paid and we’ll instead start only using my income for all expenses starting tomorrow.

No more floating. No more trusting in a piece of plastic instead of the God who created me.

Instead, I will hold onto this:

Proverbs 3:5-6 (CEB)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
don’t rely on your own intelligence.
Know him in all your paths,
and he will keep your ways straight.

photo credit: duncan via photopin cc

God says he will provide for our needs and TELLS me not to use my own intelligence. The credit card? Yep, that’s using my own intelligence.

Instead of spending my time using my own intelligence to try to “figure things out” with our budget, maybe I’d be more successful if I obeyed His word and instead trusted in HIM with all my heart.

This next month, I’ll be focusing on knowing Him in ALL my paths and trusting that the path before our family will be kept straight.

My job? Trust Him.

His job? Provide for our needs.

So here it goes. I’m jumping all in. No more credit card. No more relying on me.

As seems appropriate, I’m sharing this song for Worship Wednesday:

Lord, I Need You – written by Matt Maher and performed by Kristian Stanfill

If you’re reading in an email, click here to view the video. The 3 minutes you spend allowing this message to resonate in your heart will transform your day. Promise.

Lord, I come, I confess
Bowing here I find my rest
Without You I fall apart
You’re the One that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep Your grace is more
Where grace is found is where You are
And where You are, Lord, I am free
Holiness is Christ in me

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Teach my song to rise to You
When temptation comes my way
And when I cannot stand I’ll fall on You
Jesus, You’re my hope and stay

Lord, I need You, oh, I need You
Every hour I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

You’re my one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You
My one defense, my righteousness
Oh God, how I need You

Sharing this post at Three Word Wednesday {Simply Beth}, Wedded Wednesday, Wholehearted Home, Coffee for Your Heart, #TellHisStory, Works for Me Wednesday, and Recommendation Saturday.

What about you? Are you struggling to trust God in all things like me?

Share in the comments so we can encourage one another or if you feel more comfortable, email me at contact(at)leeanngtaylor(dot)com. I’d love to hear your story and pray for you as we journey together in learning to trust God more.

From Wallflower to Wildflower

March 14, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

I stand along the wall of the crowded room. The atmosphere is buzzing with excitement, yet I feel alone.

Yes, I’m an introvert, but this feels different. Surrounded by friends, yet somehow disconnected and distant.

The wall feels safe and comfortable. I sink into it and pretend it keeps me away from the small talk and everything else I’m afraid of but can’t process enough to fully understand yet.

Later I remember that God calls us to be wildflowers, not wallflowers. (Matthew 6:28)

“Do not worry,” he says. Live as a wildflower, beautiful and free of worries.

Oh, to embrace this. It’s a journey really. One of laying down my fears and anxieties and casting them onto him, just as he asks. It’s the daily work of faith, of releasing each thought, each action, each moment into his hands.

photo credit: amanky via photopin cc

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I am so thankful for the community God has created in this little corner of the online world. You all were faithful to pray for my little guy this week and he sailed through surgery like a champ. We still have a week or so of recovery to be out of the woods for complications, but he seems to have not gotten the memo that he had major surgery and is running around our house like a little wild man! Maybe it was all those steroids they pumped in him, but either way, he’s happy and not in pain thanks to our trusty rotation of Tylenol and Motrin. While I can’t say I didn’t experience any anxiety, I definitely felt your prayers and God’s comforting peace throughout. He even sent a nurse who is married to my dad’s first cousin (family!) to take care of us.

For those of you who identified with today’s post, I’d like to suggest a book that’s been on my “books I want to read” list for awhile now. I’ve heard Angela Thomas speak in person several times at conferences and am quite sure that her words will be a blessing to you.

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*Each week a beautiful community rises up around a writing prompt over at Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday. We write for 5 minutes, unedited and free, then stop and appreciate the words that came forth. Today’s prompt was “Crowd.” I’m also sharing at Beauty Observed, Essential Fridays, Fellowship Fridays, Fridays Unfolded, Recommendation Saturday, and The Weekend Brew. This post contains affiliate links {full disclosure}.

What I Learned In February

March 4, 2014 By LeeAnn G. Taylor

It was a quarter of the size of my high school. The tiny college in East TN beckoned me with its rolling hills, small class size, and promise of deep relationships and I never looked back. Instead of graduating solely with degrees in sociology, business, and nonprofit management, a handful of passionate professors instilled in me a love of learning.

Maryville College – photo credit

It’s the love of learning that started me on this blogging journey as I devoured hours and hours of podcasts in 2013, soaking in everything I could about the online world and social media. At the time, I had not a clue that I’d have my own little space in the world to write and share and encourage others. Instead, I was supporting my husband’s venture into owning a small business and the relational and spiritual development ministry God has called him to accomplish through pastoral life coaching.

It was at the end of 2013 after reading Emily Freeman’s book Grace for the Good Girl: Letting Go of the Try-Hard Life and attending her At the Barn event that I heard God speaking to my soul. The message was clear – I need to encourage others with my story of moving from crippling fear to embracing true faith and stepping into the freedom God has for us as believers. It’s a path we all need to travel to open the door to the abundant life full of peace that only Christ provides.

Emily Freeman’s At the Barn event – November 2013 – We Will Make Art!

In celebration of my first full month of writing in this world of blogging, I’m linking up with Emily Freeman at Chatting at the Sky for a reflection of the past month. Here’s what I’ve learned in February:

1. Women thrive in community. Especially this woman. But I bet you do too!

I’ve learned this month about the incredible power of relationships and living in community with one another.

As I started blogging this year, I discovered my in-real-life friend Holly also has a blog and writes at Reclaiming a Redeemed Life {and you should totally check it out!}.

Holly introduced me to the community of women writing weekly at Lisa-jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday.

Many of the Five Minute Friday ladies are connected with the community of women at (in)courage.me, a site that provides “a home for the heart of women”. Here you’ll find {you guessed it} encouragement for your Jesus-loving heart!

(in)courage.me – a beautiful community of women seeking God’s voice

(In)courage hosts an online conference that also provides an opportunity for women to meet face-to-face in their own hometowns since so many of us are only connected via social media with the barrier of a screen between us.

The conference, called (in)RL {because meeting in-real-life is better than online} is FREE and is April 25 & 26, 2014.

The idea is that you watch a video Friday night on your own in your home {cue PJs, hot cocoa, and your laptop all snuggled in your warm bed}. Then you meet up on Saturday with a local group of women gathering to watch the simulcast, fostering in-real-life relationships.

I am so excited to meet some of my online-only friends in person in just a few weeks! You can experience this much-needed community too since there are meet-ups all over the country {and the world!}.

2. I’ve decided to be brave and swim.

No, I’m not afraid of the water but I sure have struggled with fear for as long as I can remember. Fear of failure. Fear of not measuring up {to others’ and my own expectations}. Fear of what other people will think.

But instead of succumbing to the breath-taking waves of fear and doubt, I’ve decided to be brave and SWIM. No more sinking under the weight of “what if”. It’s time to move forward and go somewhere!

I learned that I’m not the only one in this boat {hmm…or in the water!} and that you also are working through what being brave and stepping out into the unknown looks like in your life.

I love that we’re doing this together!

3. People look at you funny when you say you’re going to host a webinar about sex.

Apparently sex in the Christian marriage is not talked about enough because when my husband and I decided that we wanted to share some things we’ve learned the last 10 years about the sexual side of marriage and started mentioning it to others, we got some seriously weird looks!

Let’s be real. It was the women who were looking at us funny. The men got giddy looks on their faces and said “where do we sign up?!”

{Soapbox warning} Ladies, we need to start taking this area of our lives more seriously than we may have in the past. Healthy physical intimacy is one key to a rock-solid marriage…a key that can’t be left out, neglected, or forgotten!

The webinar was held right around Valentine’s Day and provided Christian couples a way to start the conversation about improving this one area of marriage that is so hush-hush in some Christian environments.

essentials to re-igniting the sexual spark in your marriage

To find out more, we’ve provided the resource guide we developed as part of the webinar to give you a place to start.

FREE Resource Guide: Essentials to Re-Igniting the Sexual Spark in your Marriage: A Guide for Christian Couples

4. There are few things more silly than a frog in a snowstorm.

It snowed last month. You know, like it’s been doing all winter all over the country. But for us in North Carolina, snow is a BIG hairy deal. Bread, milk, and eggs all but walk out of grocery stores and we hunker down in our homes like we’ll be stuck here for eternity. In reality, we were only stuck one day and that gave my thrill-seeking husband long enough to realize that even his 4WD wasn’t going to get us anywhere past our tiny {no stoplights} town.

When we did make it out, we ventured over to my parents’ house for snowcream and sledding. Out came my dad’s digital SLR camera and I began shooting away {warning: a barrage of snow pictures is about to begin}.

The silliest one? The frog in the snowstorm. If you can look at this picture without giggling a little bit…well you could use a better sense of humor!

5. You are amazing!

Yes, I mean you!

The comments on the blog and in-person conversations I’ve had with you all {my blog readers} these last two months have been so encouraging and inspiring. You all are brave souls striving to live this life as authentic Christians, intentionally choosing to release fear, embrace faith and move forward into freedom.

Each of our stories and paths are different, but we all are making a difference in the choices we make in the tiny moments of our lives. And it’s the tiny moments that add up to make a life!

Will you do me a favor?

If you’ve been reading the blog and haven’t let me know yet, will you somehow let me know you’re reading? It’s an honor to share with you my journey and I’d love to know who you are and how I can pray for you. You can also share topics you’d like me to address or questions you have.

You can:

Leave a comment on this post.
Connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, or Google+.
Send me an email.
Tell me in person.

I promise to pray for each prayer request individually. God is growing me in the area of prayer and this is one way I can serve you and we can grow together!

If you know of someone who would enjoy these posts, you can share the photo below on your favorite social media site.

Today I’m linking up with Emily Freeman’s What I Learned community and the Unite, Inspire Me Monday, Mommy Monday, Titus 2sday, Titus 2 Tuesday, Life Through the Lens, and Wedded Wednesday linkups. This post contains affiliate links {full disclosure}.