IMAGINE YOURSELF TO BE A WINDSOCK
Windsocks are full of their glory when they are full of wind blowing in one end and powerfully out the other end. As long as the wind keeps moving, the windsock stays a float. If the wind dies down, however, the windsock ceases to fly.
1Jn 4:13We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
1Jn 4:14And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.
1Jn 4:15If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.
1Jn 4:16And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
1Jn 4:17In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.
1Jn 4:18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1Jn 4:19We love because he first loved us.
God’s love is perfect and His love casts out fear. God gave me a beautiful visual for His perfect love and how it works within and through us. Consider yourself to be a windsock. When God’s love flows powerfully through you to others, you are like a windsock, full of His power working through you to keep you flying despite the storm. When fear takes up residence within our windsocks, our windsocks fold. Essentially, we fold because we are the windsocks within whom He desires to flow.
How does this happen? How do we lose our wind? When we give fear more attention than God’s presence, we fold like a windless windsock. But, there’s good news! When we submit to God, trading our fears for His power, God rises up within us, extending out through our thoughts, words, and actions. Again, we become like a strong, steadfast windsock full of the potential of the wind rather than stifled by our weaknesses.
Today, if you feel fear, say this prayer, “Holy Spirit, I submit to you. Please do in and through me what You desire to do. I submit to You right now and I give You full authority to override my flesh, my soul, and my spirit. Every part of me submits to You. Thank You that You are more powerful than my weaknesses. In Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.”
Kristina Seymour loves to encourage and equip women through the Word and through community. She is the author of The Warrior Mom Handbook, The Warrior Mom Leadership Manual, and The Warrior Wife Handbook; they are available at Amazon.com. Kristina's Bible studies are for women who desire to live by faith in the midst of their everyday lives. She has learned that women can't survive on caffeine and animal crackers alone; women in the Word and in community are united and able to stand firm. To learn more about Kristina, please visit her recently founded Share & Company Publishing House http://seymourkristina.wix.