Submitting without Fear

Fear is an enemy in obtaining a meek and quiet spirit. At the heart of this fear lies the sin of not 'trusting in the Lord' for I lean to my own understanding instead of acknowledging Him in all my ways. Prov 3:5.

Recently, the Lord brought this truth home to me in a clearer fashion. My husband had made a decision in which brought fear to my heart. It was not a decision to drag me into sin, mind you, merely a difference of his goals and mine.

He desired that our business exhibit at several homeschool conferences back east. Tornado Alley!! Actually, it was Texas and Missouri! *smile* A town in Texas had just been devastated by tornados and many had been killed. Plus the fact that I had no desire to leave my home, my safe little haven, and travel three loooonnnggg weeks in a pickup truck with my son and husband all crammed in the front seat.

I expressed my concerns to him but he felt that it was something we needed to do. Oh, how I struggled over his decision. The main culprit of my displaying a meek and quiet spirit when faced with this decision was fear. I was afraid of what the outcome would be, what I might have to suffer because of his decision.

Because of the teaching that I have had on submission and the grace that the Lord was able to give me, I was able to obey and follow. It wasn't easy. The trip did not turn out exactly as we had anticipated. It was an uncomfortable trip, I was inconvenienced, tired, and missing home.

So, does this mean that I should have 'taken my stand'? Stood my ground? Whined, complained, begged and manipulated? Maybe I could have changed his mind. Biblically the answer would be No. Absolutely not! I have been given to my dear husband as his helper, to come along side him and help him in his work. He is responsible for our family and for me. My duty was to appeal and present my hesitations, his duty was to make a decision based on my request and then to lead our family in what he felt was best.

I experienced such inward-peace during the trip. Whenever the 'tornado watches' would come across the television I could turn to God because I knew that I was exactly where God wanted me.. following my husband. When other factors in the trip were hard, uncomfortable and didn't turn out the way we planned I was able to rest in peace knowing that I was obeying God by following my husband.

This has not always been the case. There have been many times when I have obeyed and followed my husband and experienced a very real war with my flesh that doesn't let up until the incident has passed.

This is what we have been called to as Christians, to die daily to our needs, will and desires. To live a life that is self-sacrificing, laying down our lives for others as our Lord did for us.

How often this thinking escapes us. We can fall so easily into the trap of 'being served' instead of serving. Jesus taught that we are not above the master and that He came to serve. This spirit is needed so much in our homes with our husband and our children.

Thinking of Sarah, can you see what struggles she must have been tempted with? I had a small glimpse into her world when asked to leave my home, grown children and immediate family for such a short period of time. Sarah was asked to leave her family knowing that she would never see them again. Think of that... to leave everyone you love, knowing that you will NEVER see them until you reach heaven. Going to a country that you have never been before. The temptation to fear must have been great.

We know that Abraham feared at times in that country and put Sarah in a position several times where she may have been violated. But, nothing is mentioned of Sarah fearing. We are told that she did well with no fear of amazement. Sarah's faith is mentioned again in Hebrews 11:11 stating that she judged God faithful who had promised to give her a child. God was judged faithful, not her husband or the circumstances.

Sarah put her trust in God. That was her foundation. That was the foundation that caused her not to fear. She knew that God had printed her name on the palm of His hand and that anything that his providence provided by His hand was done in love.

We make choices daily that show what our foundation is built upon. Whether it is a foundation of 'fearing God' or 'fearing man or evil'. Jeremiah 17:5 says , "Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm." Our love for God and trust in Him should be manifested in the way that we love and reverence our husbands. This does not come easy. There is a price to pay. The price is that I must die daily. George Mueller once stated that there came a day when his opinions, preferences ,tastes and will had to die as he studied to show himself approved unto God.

Dying to ourselves so that the life of Christ may be manifested in us is painful. It's suffering. "Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin." 1 Peter 4:1. I could feel that war, the resistance going on inside of me. It wasn't pleasant! But, later it yielded the peaceable fruit of righteousness. Hebrews 12:11. Each decision we make must be made in the light of eternity. As the eyes of the Lord are upon me, will He say," Well done thou good and faithful servant?" Matt. 25:21

We will never manifest a submissive, meek and quiet spirit unless we die to the spirit that says "WE must do it MY way!"

The fruit that is yielded from a woman who's heart trusts in God is the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit. The third chapter of 1 Peter says that this is of great price and is precious in the sight of our Lord.


To God be the glory,

Georgene


Copyright 1998. You may reproduce these pages for free distribution in their entirety.
Georgene Girouard
http://awomanthatfearsthelord.com