Running Scared Chapter 8 December 29,2010

Mom and I have been reading Running Scared by Ed Welch. Well, this weeks chapter hit the spot. Being newly  married AND being pregnant has put a lot of pressure on me and on Steve's and my relationship. The week well actually days before Christmas and after were very stressful. That weekend I had great talks with mom, dad and even Jeff! It WAS a time of Running Scared and not knowing what the future had in store. My mom is one of the most amazing women I know. She knew exactly what I needed even though I didn't know. She pulled out our book and started reading. Needless to say, she and I were both crying throughout the whole chapter.

Many, many things popped out at me while we were reading. One of the scriptures that Ed Welch cited was Mark 4:14-20.
"The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that is sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop-thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown."


Wow! Did this ever describe me and all of the challenges I have struggled with and of course I quickly noted how much Steve was like this verse. Isn't it amazing how quickly we recognize other people's faults?!

Anyways, Mr. Welch continued on. He pointed out that worry is dangerous!!! Boy was he right! Not only does it ruin relationships, but it also is a killer of spiritual life and growth. When I am in my depression or worrying about the next week or what the future has in store, it does kill my spiritual life and growth in Christ. I was left dry, hopeless, and scared. Running scared! He pointed out four things that are some of the killers of Spiritual Life and growth:
1. Satan (we already knew that) He comes along and tries to ruin healthy relationships and plants seeds of worry.
2. Deceitfulness of wealth. Matthew 19: 23-24
3. Desires for other things. Romans 7:8 This point really struck home with me. I came up with a whole list of things that Steve wanted and was running towards which would/could put our little family and other's in danger of. It wasn't till later that night when i realized that my desire was to have a husband who thought through things instead of acting on impulse, or having the bank account be at a certain level, or will we ever be able to provide for our lil monkey! My desires were reasonable, but also a stumbling block for me.
4. Worries (be careful of the trap!)

• Prefers self-protection over trust. This point really stuck out at me. I'm still struggling with it today, but it is getting better. I wanted to protect myself and Andrew and didn't want to trust God or Steve.
• Worry is focused on words. YES!!! Steve was saying things other people were saying things, but then it didn't turn out the way I wanted them to.
• James 1:22-25. Wow! What a great verse!

He concluded saying that when in doubt pray and when we worry we should worry about worrying! I have been trying with God's help to pray when I am worried and not to worry at all!

Thanks mom for going through this wonderful study with me!!