FEAR

But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”Mark 5:36 NLT

 FEAR:  an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.

 Do not tremble; do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago? You are my witnesses—is there any other God? No! There is no other Rock—not one! Isaiah 44:8 NLT

 You know, times right now are tough and uncertain.  This is not new news!!!  You can't avoid it, you can't ignore it.  Its EVERYWHERE you look--in the newspapers, on TV, magazine articles, ETC.  People are losing their jobs, their homes, everything.  And why?  Because its LIFE!  The Bible says that our lives will not be easy breezy and crystal clear all of the time.  But His word also says that we are not to be afraid!!! We are to NOT BE FEARFUL!!  We are to TRUST in our amazing Father God!

 Psalm 9:10

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

 Psalm 13:5

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

 Psalm 20:7

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

 Proverbs 3:5-6

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

Those are just a few of my favorite reminders about trusting the fact that my God has plans for my life.  I may not like or understand circumstances and trials and storms that I encounter, BUT, I know full well that HE is in total control of my life and I must TRUST HIM!  

Just about 9 months ago, I took a big leap of faith.  I was nervous as heck.  I was AFRAID!  In my head I struggled with 'Should I?  Should we?'  "What if it doesn't work?"  "What will everyone think of me?"  Guess what????????  Those words were totally ignored almost immediately, as they came into my head.  I never said "NO!!!!!"  Why?  Because I wanted MORE for my family.  I wanted to be able to help my family out any way possible.  I knew I felt horrible all of the time and I knew that I'd already nixed some of my hours I'd been working already.  I knew that I had to do something to gain back that little bit of income that I had forgone.  I had NO INTENTION of EVER trying any kind of MLM!  Kyle has been there done that and I told him "NO MORE!! NEVER AGAIN!!!"    

All it took was seeing just 1 video, of REAL people, just like me!!!  Those people took the same leap that I took.  I watched it, and said, "If they can do it, why can't I?"  You know what?  I CAN!!

And, I AM!!!!!!!!!!!!!    

I took a leap of faith and made the decision to do something I said I would NEVER DO!  You know there's a phrase.."never say never"  Its true!!!    You will not know what can happen or what will happen unless you stop saying NO!  If you don't stop being afraid, you will not know what can happen!  You can't sit around your whole life and listen to other people tell you that you can't do it or that it won't work or that you will not succeed---that's letting FEAR take over!!! 

When I took that leap of faith, I said, "Ok, Lord, I'm going for it.  You are in control of all of this.  If its to be, its to be.  If its not, close the door."  And with that, I made the decision to step into the world of MLM.  This was not my husbands choice. I didn't ask him if I could do it--I didn't need to because he could see the excitement in my face and hear it in my voice and he could see what was physically happening to me.   It didn't take but about 3 weeks and he was ready to jump in with both feet and follow me on this journey. 
And I'll be totally upfront and honest.  I had people try to steer me the other way.  "Don't do that, you'll be sorry!!"  "Don't get sucked into that, its a waste of time and money."  "You do not want to get started in something like this...."   

I made the CHOICE to ignore all the DOUBTS that were thrown my way.  I have heard some really hurtful things in the last 9 months.  I have cried a lot of tears because of those hurtful words and doubts that were thrown my way.  And guess what?  I'm still here.  And I don't intend to go anywhere.  It has been an amazing 9 months with an amazing product and an even more amazing company--who honors the Lord in everything and gives Him the Glory in everything.  That in itself speaks volumes to me.  To see our company Presidents/CEO's pray with their consultants, personally call them and congratulate them for achieving their goals, etc--its a blessing to be a part of all of it.  God has blessed us over the last several months and we know that He will continue to watch over us and bless us even more.  

Fear--Let it go!!!!!!!  Trust in the Lord to take care of you.   Trust that He will provide for you and your family in these uncertain times.  Don't let others feed the fears you may have.  How will you know what blessings you could have coming your way, if you do not TRUST God to take control?  I was there.  And as I said, I have my own trials and storms, but I refuse to let fear over come and I have chosen to trust that the Lord will take care of my family and provide for us.  

Check it out and take the Zeal for Life Challenge today!  I have a huge incentive that is being offered--this incentive is not offered very often.  You can start making changes for you and your family today. 

Zeal Challenge

Message me for info:

otterfamilyx4@att.net

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Why Worry?

I received this in my inbox yesterday.  One of several daily devotions that I am signed up to get.  
I can relate.  I often find myself worrying and wondering about this.  The Bible clearly tells us not to worry:  “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:6-7, NLT)
However, as I said, I find myself worrying and wondering about lots of things.  After all, Im only human.  But in the midst of that worrying and wondering, I am also reminded of Phillipians 4.  Our heavenly Father doesnt want us to worry.  He wants us to put our trust in Him.  Not just in one or two things, but EVERYTHING.  This is something that I have trouble with.  I get anxious and antsy and have anxiety attacks.  And let me tell you when you feel like 'climbing the walls' as I put it...its just NOT fun.  When it feels like your heart is going to beat out of your chest, or when you start getting a horrible horrible migraine because you are so stressed and anxious..its just not fun.  I have to stop, and go lay down and just pray.  And I will ask the Lord to take away my anxiety and my fears and help me to remember that there is no reason for anxiety.  All I have to do is to TRUST HIM.  
Here is the devotion I want to share:

“She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’” Luke 10:40b (NIV)

When life gets overwhelming, do you ever wonder if God notices everything you have going on — like how you’re trying so hard to take care of everyone and everything? Staying up late to pay the bills, and feeling stretched between relationships at home and in ministry while caring for aging parents, commuting to work and carpooling kids?

Several years ago, I couldn’t keep up with all of the commitments I’d made. I felt like I was suffocating under everything I needed to do. Slowly, I let worry weave it’s way into my thoughts, making me wonder how I was going to do it all. I knew I should trust God more, but I was concerned that if I stopped worrying about everything and everybody He would too.

Eventually, I came to a point where I was exhausted and ready to resign from just about everything. I ran out of fuel. I didn’t have enough energy to handle all of my roles, relationships and responsibilities.

I also ran out of faith. I started doubting my ability to manage my life, to hear God clearly and to do all I assumed He wanted me to do.

And all those worries that made me weary, also made me wonder. I wondered why God wasn’t doing something to make life easier. I wondered if God noticed and cared about all I was doing for Him, and others.

One day I was reading my Bible and noticed how Martha’s worries were making her weary, and making her wonder if Jesus cared that her sister left her in the kitchen to do all that work, all by herself.

And listen to how He responded: “‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.’” (NIV)

So, how do we choose what is better? How do we let go of our worries and take hold of confident peace that assures us God notices and God cares?

First Peter 5:7 tells us: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (NLT)

The apostle Paul tells us the same and he tells us how: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:6-7, NLT)

It sounds so doable, but why is it so hard? I think it’s because Satan whispers the opposite. He tells us, “Don’t be calm about anything; instead worry about everything. Tell God what He should do. Then take control if He doesn’t listen. And concerns that consume you will become like acid in your heart, eroding your confidence with worry and doubt!”

Instead of giving into the whispers of worry, spoken by the enemy, let’s listen to God’s promise for peace. When we feel overwhelmed by life this week, let’s commit to …

• Stop worrying — Press the pause button on our consuming concerns.

• Start praying — Talk to God about all we’re doing. Ask if there’s anything we need to cut back so we can seek Him as much as we serve Him, and others.

• Keep thanking God — Thank God for what He’s done in the past and will do in the future. This helps us remember how good He is at being God.

Lord, when my concerns consume me, help me remember that You are with me, holding me by the hand and guiding me. I want to seek You as much as I serve You and others. Help me balance my life and give my worries to You, knowing with confidence that You care about me and are good at taking care of me! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.