When I was in grade school and if anyone got an ‘F’ in a subject that meant that they flunked the class. Depending on whether it was just for the quarter or for the whole year determined what the course of action would be. If you only flunked for the quarter, you still had a chance to turn the grade around. If you flunked it for the year, it meant you had to go to the dreaded Summer School program. There was no way I wanted to give up my precious summer vacations and spend time in a hot classroom being tortured with a subject I hated in the first place.
Ever since I graduated school and stepped into life with both feet on my own, I have had three new F’s in my life. They are: Fears, Failures and Frustrations.
Fears usually are about the future. Failures are usually from the past. Frustrations are usually with the present. If not handled correctly, these three F’s can be a nemesis much worse than flunking a class in grade school and having to face the dreaded Summer School program when I was a child.
Even though many Bible versions do not use the words ‘failures’ and ‘frustrations’, look what is said in the following Scriptures on how to handle them:
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (Hebrews 12:1 and 3)
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Jesus Himself gave us two great words of advice on how to handle the three F’s:
“If a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.” (Luke 9:5)
“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)
Then Paul caps it off with one of the greatest verses of the Bible:
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
If left unchecked, these three F’s can be crippling as an adult. They can affect us physically, mentally and spiritually. I find myself handing my three F’s over to the Lord every day in prayer and resting in His Word. I cannot handle them myself. What about you?
Annointing 