The Question: How have you allowed the Lord to help you “Stand Tall” in times where you would rather shrink, hid or otherwise run from the circumstance?
From: Voluntown, CT
Standing tall has never been difficult for me, being 6”1” tall, but that’s only physically. Spiritually it has been hard lots of times. In fact, there were a couple of issues that I have been dealing with for awhile, which sort of came to a head this past week, What I did, after confronting them, was want to hide and “run”. (A syndrome I’d been through before when the going got tough), feelings of inadequacy, unappreciation, resentment, and seeing no fruit were all results of the issues. What helped me most this time was allowing my husband to minister to me, talk to me and talk me through it, Sometimes it’s hard to received from those you love, especially when they cause you to see your mistakes! Also, in reading this first issue of the newsletter really helped me to realize once again that God has placed me here, and to keep standing tall and be accounted for. Another thing that helps me very often is my devotional time with the Lord. This morning I happened to write a song called ”When I behold you”—all about being in that place with Him and allowing Him to speak to me. Submitted by: Barbara Young
From: Oak Harbor, WA
My father always treated me like a number one son. At the first sign of a trembling lower lip, he would say, “Buck up, Sis! Buck up!” Later a husband did the same by expecting me to be my best in the middle of disaster. Much later, I discovered that God did not treat me that way. It seems that He hovers closer when I need him most. When I want to shrink or hid, it is not my foundation in Christ, me self-image or my ability to “stand tall” that appears to turn the tied; it’s God’s gentle reminder that I am a “pearl of great price”. Real freedom comes from realizing that God does not carry a measuring stick; He is busy “Kissing the hurt to make it well”. Short is sometimes OK!!
Submitted by: Rita Gerdts
From: Phoenix, AZ
When I first read the article on standing tall, the Lord brought to my mind how I never had good posture until I started exercising. I remember working in a factory and feeling miserable and in pain—because of my posture This past year I had started exercising regularly. As a result, I discovered I had better posture I stood straight! I felt better. This was because I was in good shape. I had the strength to naturally stand straight. Also, the Lord has spoken to me “The just shall live by faith.” when the Lord spoke this to me—I was able to stand straight! Because I was trusting God and walking in security because of who He is! I wouldn’t bow down in weakness from the weight of fears and worries. The real me would have the strength because the Spirit of God is me is always in good shape. When we walk by grace through faith, we’ll stand tall. Galatians 5: 1-6 Submitted by: Juanita Rice
From: Springfield, VT I have allowed the Lord to help me stand tall in the face of adverse circumstances. When folks would be going in a certain direction and I knew it was up to me to speak the truth into the situation, I asked and received the boldness to speak integrity into what was going on. This is something the Lord had to do as I may know what integrity says to do. I may even walk in integrity in that situation, but to confront in love is an entirely different matter. The motive not being guilt before the Lord for not saying anything, just that obedience is better than sacrifice.
Submitted by: Tina Johndrow
From: Templeton, MA
Approximately 6 yrs ago I was asked to help out in worship during a ladies retreat. During worship a guest speaker had asked our worship leader to come stand up front and pray with her which left me to lead worship. I was panic stricken. At that point I wanted the stage boards to swallow me up. I didn't play very well and sang even worse. I did it and afterwards several ladies told me how blessed they were. One lady however, said she wanted to come up stage and beg me to stop because I sounded terrible. Rather than remember what all the others had said, I held on to this one sister’s comment and allowed the enemy to make me feel like an absolute failure. I told the Lord I would never do that again.
Well, sure enough 5 yrs later I was asked again. I begged and pleaded with God to send someone else better than myself (maybe Aaron?) God replied by reminding me that I was not on stage to entertain, and through my weakness His strength would show through. Yes, He could had several talented women do it, but He chose me for a purpose and He wanted me to trust Him. So I did. I still struggled through and afterwards found myself complaining and kicking myself. Then the Lord lovingly spoke to me. First thing He said was that I would not be feeling this way if I would stop comparing myself with others (Galatians 6:4).. Second He asked me who I was trying to please Him or Man? (Galatians 1:10) Then He asked me this. If I had you lead worship to bless just one particular lady, even it if didn’t minister to anyone else would you do it? It took sometime but I told the Lord I would.
Afterwards I found out that by my obedience the worship leader was very blessed by God. She had the opportunity to enjoy worship and Gods presence in a way she had not been able to because of the responsibilities that go along with leading worship.
God may not reveal why He calls us to do certain things, but even if it is just so that we would draw closer to Him and learn to depend on Him more and less on ourselves, it is worth it all!
Submitted by: Lorraine Stewart