Open Book

17. By Its Fruit You'll Know

We are told to discern things by its fruit, to know if things be from God or not. So, I am taking some of my struggles and applying this tip to them, and at the same time trying to listen for the way out.

What is STRESS teaching me?

"YOU got to keep things under your control." But things slip out of my control and as a result there is fear, insecurity, pessimism, mental exhaustion, panic and unbelief.

What is Jesus teaching me about this? 

"Things are completely and utterly in My control. Do not fear, let go and trust me."  Then peace begins to descend upon me, a rest of both in mind and form striving so much. A calmness and a release form a heavy burden that was not mine to carry to begin with.

What is FEAR teaching me?
"Things will never advance and become as you want them to be. You will not grow and fulfill the path ahead of you, rather you will end up losing and wasting everything God gave you and end up going to the Purifier for 1000 years – slow progressed as you are!"  

Its fruit is unbelief and doubt in God, that these things are on me and I must strive and overdo myself! So, what follows is self-effort, holding the control of my path (again) and fretting with each fall, over-judging myself and putting overweight on my shoulders. And in the end.... I cannot do it.

What the Holy Spirit says:  

"I am your guide, your teacher and your comforter. The work I began, I WILL finish it! Even if it is slow advancement with us on this journey, it is not in vain or pointless. I guide the steps of each turn. I hear each desire and I take note of them – I WILL fulfill them in My own time". 

I then feel a freedom from those controlling fears as I trust in His words. To let go those panicked attitudes and the fretting over each fall. 

"In your utmost weakness, I am yourutmost reliable strength. Count on Me to finish this race, not on self-effort achievements."

What is SHAME teaching me?

"You are lame with those actions. Just look at yourself trying your hardest to get attention and praise. Pfft, look they got your trail and now they are criticizing and judging you. HIDE!"

 Oftentimes, there is a feeling of imprisonment about being myself before others, fearing their judgments and thoughts, for there is a fear of being perceived as bad in someone else's eyes. It chains and restricts me, and so I become joyless and lifeless, reserved, as though strangling the breath out of me so I become more depressed, more discouraged and more demotivated.

Then the LORD says: 

"With Me you can flourish and be yourself. I have created you, so I know every part of you, even the ones you are unaware of yet. Be yourself with Me and do not fear judgement. I adore it when you loosen yourself to be yourselfin Me." 

His words and thoughts give me freedom from acting just-right, freedom from those chains of impressing or giving a good-girl impression. It frees me to laugh and joke and to awkwardly stare at the beauty I see around, even if I am among crowds sometimes. I calm down and trust Him with who I am becoming, with what He sees and thinks of me. Shame is a liar and a thief.

DEPRESSION and DISCOURAGEMENT shout:

"YOU CANNOT DO IT; it is way too high for you! DO NOT DREAM SO HIGH, such dreams do not happen for unseen walking like you, it happens to the others, NOT you."  This spread negativism is a dream-killer, a faith-stealer, a flower-crusher. Discouraging my hope and faith, chaining me to the world's timeframes.  The "Now only matters, dreams do not happen."  Painting a grey lifestyle and a dull void system of the world's life

But JESUS says:  

"Life is SO MUCH MORE THAN THIS WORLD. Life is dreams fulfilled; joy found amid catastrophes. Life is freedom to jump with Me. Life is laughter! Dreams in your heart are dreams from My heart, and whatever dream came forth from my heart – It Is Good! And since they ARE good, I have them already fulfilled. Your dreams are already fully fulfilled in Me!"

 There is hope for the visions of my heart. He has given methe faith in Him to let me live them, giving me a release from a dull and bound lifestyle where dreams are killed. His word concerning this fills me with peace that passes understanding. He has this all completely in control and nothing nor nobody can ruin that which He, Himself, has started. What He beings, He finishes.