OVERCOMING

Does anyone else out there have any fears? Any anxieties? Any GIANT problems that seem too big? I often thought "Am I the only one here struggling with this fear?"

Well- there is good news for those trying to overcome a fear--victory can be had. God's perspective is eternal- and by His power, we can "do all things." "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

I am personally sharing with the world that I finally took action and have been spending some time at the dentist office. (after many years of pain, fear, anxiety, discomfort, and shame)

This entire process has been so hard, but I felt like the Lord told me "It was time" and He literally opened doors for me to be able to overcome this GIANT that has kept me in hiding for so long!! This has been my "skeleton in the closet" for some time now.

I took baby steps, with lots of urging (accountability) from family and close friends I called for an appointment to just a sit down and talk with a dentist. I felt a little more comfortable so I came back for a exam. After they looked over the results of the exam we met back for a consultation and laid out a dental restoration plan.

I am so excited that I'm on my way to a healthier mouth! I cannot begin to list out all the emotions Ive been through just by taking this big leap! My perspective on dentistry has definitely changed.

My dentist is a nice woman who genuinely cares about my dental health. You all know my love for ladybugs? Well, since the office is of women staff only- they call each other Ladybugs- when I found that little fact out- I knew I was in the right place!

I am covered by a great dental plan at my hubby's work. I took on a 12 hour a week job this year to specifically pay for fees that insurance doesn't cover.. (I call my income- "teeth money".) I have to admit though, even with the insurance, Im still gonna have to pay out a bunch of money, but this is just another tool this GIANT has on me. I know the Lord has brought me here, and I know He will continue to help me conquer.

I will inform you all as things progress, I have a cleaning mid October, and my first restorative (3 1/2 hours long) appointment in November.

But as for you and your fears, anxiety, and/or GIANTS...Ask the Lord to give you power- and with that- take the baby steps that will walk you to VICTORY! I promise you will be able to see the situation more clearly from God's vantage point!

Read more about David and how he conquered his fears and a GIANT in the book of 1 Samuel 17 of the Bible.
A point to ponder about this story is that David's faith in God caused him to look at the giant from a different perspective. Goliath was merely a mortal man defying an all-powerful God. David looked at the battle from God's point of view. If we look at giant problems and impossible situations from God's perspective, we realize that God will fight for us and with us. When we put things in proper perspective, we see more clearly and we can fight more effectively.

DISCIPLINE---ouch it hurts!!

dis·ci·pline noun, verb

1. Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.
2. Controlled behavior resulting from disciplinary training; self-control.
3. 1. Control obtained by enforcing compliance or order.
   2. A systematic method to obtain obedience
   3. A state of order based on submission to rules and authority
4. Punishment intended to correct or train.
5. A branch of knowledge or teaching.

Recently, when Big D at the tender age of 3 gets a "correction" (spanking, time out, toy in time out) he gets upset and says either "Be NICE Mommy!" or "You hurt me!". (Perfectly innocent replies to that painful feeling of discipline.) We have actually started using the word "discipline", to help him learn that if he does not obey our rules, he will get "Disclipine". At times, it seems so hard for him to want to conform to our rules, he'd rather take the punishment- then give up the desire for wanting to do things his way.

Ive thought alot about his response lately paired up with my life. How I do NOT like discipline either:
~I haven't been running lately because its sooo painful to get up so early and run! (been going to bed late too)
~I dont like doing the dishes and cleaning up right after dinner because I "just wanna relax" for a minute- which turns into an all night relaxation until Im forced to clean up dinner the next morning so we can have breakfast!
~I hate dealing with our budget system, its too time consuming. But if I dont keep account- we wont have much savings and even might have to use our pricey overdraft protection!
~I'd rather be on Facebook than being diligent with my daily chores. Its nice to be able to just sit while the boys are napping and do nothing!

I sure do have lots of great excuses to NOT be disciplined dont I? But what happens when Im not? I suffer the consequences of low energy, weight gain, crazy hectic mornings, financial crunch, time wasted- low productivity- all things not so lovely...

Having no self-control and not submitting to a discipline life only results into pain and suffering. One qoute a friend recently shared with me was from Joyce Meyer. "We must all suffer one of two things - the pain of discipline or the pain of regret & disappointment. The price of excellence is discipline. The cost of mediocrity is disappointment."

SO I find myself at a point where I have to make a choice to lead a disclipined lifestyle. Id much rather suffer the pain of discipline than the disappointment of all the consequences.

What about you?