Faith

10 Scriptures to Overcome Fear

10 Scriptures to Overcome Fear

10 scriptures to Overcome Fear

Matthew 10:28 The Message (MSG)

 “Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life—body and soul—in his hands.

Isaiah 41:13 The Message

That’s right. Because I, your God,
    have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go.
I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic.
    I’m right here to help you.’

Isaiah 41:10 New Living Translation (NLT)

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
    Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
    I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

 

Psalm 56:3 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

When I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.

 

Deuteronomy 31:6 The Message (MSG)

 “Be strong. Take courage. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you.”

 

2 Timothy 1:7 Amplified Bible (AMP)

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].

 

1 John 4:18 Amplified Bible (AMP)

 There is no fear in love [dread does not exist]. But perfect (complete, full-grown) love drives out fear, because fear involves [the expectation of divine] punishment, so the one who is afraid [of God’s judgment] is not perfected in love [has not grown into a sufficient understanding of God’s love].

 

Psalm 27:1, 14Amplified Bible (AMP)

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the refuge and fortress of my life—
Whom shall I dread?

Wait for and confidently expect the Lord;
Be strong and let your heart take courage;
Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord.

Psalm 46:1-3 The Message (MSG)

God is a safe place to hide,
    ready to help when we need him.
We stand fearless at the cliff-edge of doom,
    courageous in seastorm and earthquake,
Before the rush and roar of oceans,
    the tremors that shift mountains.

Jacob-wrestling God fights for us,
    God-of-Angel-Armies protects us.

 

John 14:27 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] 2

A Printable from Proverbs 31 Ministries

I came across this today, and just had to share it with you! It's a free printable from Proverbs 31 Ministries: 5 Things to Remember While You Wait on God! They created this for when you feel you're in the middle of a delay. 

Click HERE to download!

If you don't follow this ministry- start now! Lisa Terkeurst will fuel you up, inspire you, and push you to a new level with the Lord!

Proverbs 31 Ministries


Lately on Instagram:


Free NIAW Graphics!

Hi friends!! If you know me, you know that my husband and I Struggled to conceive all our kiddos (2 on earth and 3 in Heaven). Infertility hits home with me because we spent so many years "in the thick of it." From labels to diagnoses to miscarriage... It was a HARD journey.  

National Infertility Awareness Week is April 24-30 this year, and to help bring awareness to infertility, we've created these free graphics for you to use on social media! Just save, then upload to Instagram or wherever you hangout!

I have one reservation about this whole NIAW. I feel like we could easily get bogged down by the word "infertility." But I want to encourage you that just because you don't have a child yet, does not mean you are infertile yet! We serve a miracle-working God! If you know me by now, you know what's coming next- confess life over your situation and say "I am fruitful." God told us to "be fruitful and multiply!" He desires for us to make babies and grow our families and serve Him through it all!

You'll notice that a couple of the graphics actually say "I am fruitful." This is for ladies who have had children and also for those who have not! This is a confession, a change in perspective, a decision about who you are. Feel free to use #iamfruitful in your post.  Let's support each other, encourage each other, and raise awareness together!

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Lately on Instagram:


TTC Exchange

Hi friends! I want to share something that's on my heart for future mommas around this time of year. Mother's Day can be HARD for the future mommy. I remember this very well. It's a day you're reminded of what you are not, of what you don't have, of what you desire so desperately. You see more photos of moms with babies, pregnancy photos, pregnancy announcements, and the list goes on. It's hard. Many ladies who haven't had kids yet can feel forgotten, left out, and heartbroken. It can be a very isolating time, if you allow it to.

So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.
— 1 Thess 5:11 (The Message Version)

We've put together a fun way that future mommy's can support and encourage each other as Mother's Day approaches! This Trying to Conceive (TTC) Exchange is for future mommy's (although I'm excited to tell you that we will be doing an exchange soon that will include secondary infertility as well)!  

We are setting out to build community, to support and encourage couples who are struggling to conceive, and to create an atmosphere for miracles! I highly encourage you to participate in this project and to share it with your friends who desire to be moms! You will not only be encouraged, remembered, and cared for, but you will also support someone else and possibly make a new friend in this difficult journey! For this exchange you will mail one card and receive one card!

Details for the FREE TTC Mother's Day Card Exchange:

  1. Sign up for the TTC Exchange HERE by April 14! (you will receive an email soon with a partner match)
  2. Send a card (in the mail) to your assigned exchange partner
  3. When you receive a card from your partner, post a photo to Instagram with the hashtag #iamfruitfulexchange

To sign up for this fun exchange, click HERE! We are capping this exchange at 100 ladies!

We believe this will not only encourage future moms, but also bring awareness to infertility! Feel free to download and use the photo below to share with your friends!


Lately on Instagram

Gird Your Loins: You are Flawless

Gird Your Loins: You are Flawless

If it seems silly including God in every little detail of your health, I want to ask you this- If God gave you a free detailed health plan that included a personalized workout calendar, a detailed cookbook that changed as you did, and a roadmap for mental and spiritual health, wouldn't you JUMP on that? Of course you would, because you would know that doing whatever the Holy Spirit led you to do would be the perfect plan and far better than anything you could create for yourself! So, now I want to encourage you to ask Him about your physical fitness.

3 STEPS TO A CUSTOM WELLNESS PLAN STEP 3

3 STEPS TO A CUSTOM WELLNESS PLAN STEP 3

If God filled out a prescription pad and handed it to you, what would yours look like? If He was your personal trainer or nutritionist and gave you a plan, what would that be? If He was your "shrink," what would He ask you or direct you to do? And would that look exactly like your friends or your husbands plan? Well that's what we're exploring here!

3 STEPS TO A CUSTOM WELLNESS PLAN STEP 1

3 STEPS TO A CUSTOM WELLNESS PLAN STEP 1

If God filled out a prescription pad and handed it to you, what would yours look like? If He was your personal trainer or nutritionist and gave you a plan, what would that be? If He was your "shrink," what would He ask you or direct you to do? And would that look exactly like your friends or your husbands plan? Well that's what we're exploring here!

Gird Your Loins: Day 1

We are doing a series on Periscope called "Gird Your Loins!" It's all about health and trying to conceive!

We're going to cover topics like guilt, balance, emotional and spiritual health, and of course physical health!

Why the title? "Gird 

 http://youtu.be/286PGmJ74bo

 

 

 

 

5 Scriptures to Combat Fear of Miscarriage

5 Scriptures to Combat Fear of Miscarriage

Fear of miscarriage is a very real issue. We try for so long to get pregnant, then we finally, finally get that BFP!! And for a very brief moment we're over the moon, on cloud 9, and we're happier than EVER.

Then fear sets in. Fear that we will lose the baby, the connection, the life, the future. But that fear is from the enemy, and you will have to do something about it if you want to enjoy your pregnancy. Pregnancy is a beautiful thing. It's a complete miracle in itself, and it CAN be enjoyed!! They say pregnant women have a "glow" about them. I have to say that I've never seen a fearful pregnant woman with a glow. The ones at peace have the glow!

So here are 5 scriptures to help you fight that fear and step into a season of peaceful pregnancy!

So here are 5 scriptures to help you fight that fear and step into a season of peaceful pregnancy!

Philippians 4:6-7 MSG
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Isaiah 43:2-4 MSG
“Don’t be afraid, I’ve redeemed you.
I’ve called your name. You’re mine.
When you’re in over your head, I’ll be there with you.
When you’re in rough waters, you will not go down.
When you’re between a rock and a hard place,
it won’t be a dead end—
Because I am God, your personal God,
The Holy of Israel, your Savior.
I paid a huge price for you:
all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in!
That’s how much you mean to me!
That’s how much I love you!
I’d sell off the whole world to get you back,
trade the creation just for you.

Ecclesiastes 11:5 MSG
Just as you’ll never understand
the mystery of life forming in a pregnant woman,
So you’ll never understand
the mystery at work in all that God does.

Psalm 139:13-18 AMP
For You formed my innermost parts;
You knit me [together] in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was being formed in secret,
And intricately and skillfully formed [as if embroidered with many colors] in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were appointed for me,
When as yet there was not one of them [even taking shape].
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
If I could count them, they would outnumber the sand.
When I awake, I am still with You.

Ps 91:12 NLT
If you make the Lord your refuge,
if you make the Most High your shelter,
no evil will conquer you;
no plague will come near your home.
For he will order his angels
to protect you wherever you go.
They will hold you up with their hands
so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.


More scriptures in this post about miscarriage!


Read the Huckins story below to hear about their loss and Lindsay's major light bulb moment that just might change your perspective on the family God wants to give you.

Have you ever considered sharing your testimony? It's a powerful thing and we would love to read yours, then share it for others to be encouraged and filled with hope! Click below to learn more!

Connect with us on INSTAGRAM @i.am.fruitful for daily encouragement!

M is for Miscarriage

Back in the fall when I first started Periscope, I did a Fertility A-Z series. When we got to M is for Miscarriage, I shared a little about our own 3 losses. In the first few minutes I share statistics to bring awareness and also explain some of the different types of miscarriages, in case you are not familiar! 

Skip ahead to 7 minutes if you want to get to my story.

If you have experienced a miscarriage, you will be so ridiculously encouraged by something my dad sent me (skip ahead to the 21 minute mark). Ya'll, it's really good.

I also share a list of scriptures that brought me comfort during our time of grief, and I've listed them for you below! Check back soon, because I'll be posting a list of 5 scriptures to combat fear of miscarriage!

  • Psalm 23
  • Psalm 25
  • Deut 20:3-4
  • Psalm 9:9-10
  • Isaiah 43:18-19

Find us on INSTAGRAM @i.am.fruitful to receive daily encouragement!


K is for Know

I'm continuing to (slowly but surely) post up my Fertility A-Z Series from Periscope in the fall. Today, we're on K is for Know! I felt the Lord put 3 "knows" on my heart to discuss, so watch the video to hear what He put on my heart.

  1. No one KNOWS how I feel.
  2. How do I KNOW I'll get pregnant?
  3. Do you KNOW God? Are you seeking to know who He is and who He is in your situation?

Christmas Prayer for the Future Mommy

My heart has been so burdened for future mommy's. I've been seeing so much pain and obvious heartache all over social media, and I feel led to pray for the mother that so deeply desires a child. The woman who is a mommy in her heart, but hasn't held her child yet. I can so vividly recall the same emotions that you are no doubt feeling if you're struggling to conceive- jealousy, confusion, joy, sadness, fear, doubt, anger (this list goes on...and on...).   If you are struggling with infertility or loss, I am praying this prayer for you. I hope you can read this like I've sent you a personal message. Because I have. You are so important. God sees you. He hears you. He has great things in store for you, and He will pull through for you!

May He make you extremely fruitful!
— Lauren Bourne

Lord, I thank you so much for this precious woman who so deeply desires to conceive. God you have given her that desire and I ask that you would not be slow in fulfilling your promise to her. God, show her your compassion and wrap her in your arms this holiday season. Catch every tear that falls, and then comfort her in a tangible way. As she sees pictures of families with babies, pregnancy announcements, stockings hung up in a row, and Santa pictures from the mall... as she feels that twinge of longing over and over, would you please give her a peace that surpasses all understanding. Would you show her how to protect her heart and her mind. Give her the tools she needs to not just trudge through this season , but to enjoy this time. Give her something to cling to- a word, a vision, a hope, a picture of her future. Make it clear to her that it's you.

Lord, you have not given this sweeet woman a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind. Would you replace her fears with your perfect love. Please show her how to throw that fear, worry, and anxiety right out the window. Show her and put the right people in her life to lift her up and encourage her. When she feels like her hormones, moods, and emotions are out of control- please help her to manage them and give her grace when she can't. If she gets another negative pregnancy result, would you be with her on that day, comfort her, and then give her more hope than she has seen before. Show her husband how to support her as well.

God, as this journey to motherhood has no doubt affected her marriage, would you please raise up her husband as the head of their home. Show him how he can love her and support her and encourage her in ways that show your love for us. Mold him into the leader that you have called him to be. Shape him into the strong man of God that you have placed as the leader of their growing family. Any confusion that has come in, I ask that you would take it away and replace it with peace, clarity, and a sincere understanding. Give them both a renewed sense of longing for each other, a deeply replenished desire, a rekindled romance built on your truth and love. Place mentors and Godly men in her husband's life and then give him ears to hear and a willingness to learn.

Lord, I ask that you would remind this precious woman of the things you've already done for her, and give her the hope she needs to press on. I pray that any thought that is from the enemy would be thrown out and that you would give her the strength to hold every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Any diagnosis she has received- show her what you have to say about it. Make yourself evident as her healer. Lord, if she is struggling with anger, even anger towards you, would you work gently in her heart and reveal to her where you were during the toughest moments. Those moments she was on her knees in tears, those moments she was curled up in a ball crying, those moments she was yelling, and those moments she felt nothing at all. Where were you, Lord? Please show her as she seeks you for answers.  God, I thank you that where any type of confidence has been lost, that you would restore self-esteem, hope, and a complete trust in you. God, if she has had to go through miscarriage or loss of any kind, would you please show her specifically how to pursue healing for her heart, soul, and body. As you put the pieces of her heart together, I pray that her relationship with you and with her husband would be strengthened in the process. I thank you for full and complete emotional healing. Would you show her friends and family how to lift her up and comfort her, how to support her in ways that heal and not make things worse. Give them wisdom about when and how to support her, give them fresh ideas along with the willingness to carry them out.

God, I praise your name. You are so good. You are faithful and I believe you will be faithful in this woman's life. You are jealous, and you desire a deep and intimate relationship with her. Show her what that looks like as she pursues you. I believe you will work gently within her heart and heal the broken pieces, restore lost time, and provide hope for her family's future.

God, make yourself so clear to her. Reveal yourself to her in mighty ways- ways that give her hope for tomorrow, ways that bring her peace, ways that draw her to your side, ways that inspire her desire for more of you. God, would you lavish your favor on her life. Open up doors for her, pour out blessings on her, and bring her into a brighter and more fulfilling season. Prepare her heart for the miracle that you want to perform in her life, in her marriage, in her fertility, and in her family. Lord, I declare that her victory is on the horizon and that anything that is trying to come against that victory will be stopped immediately. Shelter her from the enemy. Give her the best of care, get her out of any trouble, and as she makes YOU her refuge- evil won't be able to get near her. Send your angels to guard and protect her everywhere she goes so they'll catch her anytime she stumbles and keep her from falling. Show her if there is something she needs to address or change, and make it evident what she should do. Lord, show her how to fight, remind her what it looks like to put on the full armor of God, and teach her how to use that armor well! God, you are faithful, you're reliable, you're trustworthy, and you're ever true to your promise!! Show her that she can depend on you, that you are much stronger than anything that she has faced, is facing, or will ever face. Show her how to clothe herself with strength and dignity, how to laugh without fear of her future. Bring her into the victorious and joyful future that you desire for her.

Lord, Your word says, "Blessed is she who believed that He would fulfill His promises to her." So God, please bless her as she believes in you, in your word, in your promises for her future. I pray that you would give her what her heart desires and accomplish all her plans. Transform her barren places into a fertile Eden and make her extremely fruitful!

In Jesus' Mighty Name, Amen!

J is for Joy

Continuing our Fertility A-Z Series! Check out this short video! You can skip ahead to about 2 and 1/2 minutes to skip intros.

We're talking about choosing joy, what that looks like, and that it's OKAY to be sad! It's ok to be happy for them and sad for you. Just because you're sad for a day, doesn't mean you're not choosing joy in your season. But what does choosing joy look like?

Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Believe Despite: A Story of Hope, Loss, & Extreme Faith

I sat down the other day with an amazing woman, Elisa Rumbo, who bravely shared her story with me. She struggled through 15 years of infertility, PCOS, 9 miscarriages, the devastating loss of her infant daughter, and yet she believed despite. She believed that the Lord would make her a mother!

If you are struggling with infertility or loss, you HAVE to hear her story. Her perspective is so wise, unique, and encouraging. She will, without a doubt, re-ignite your faith, remind you who our God is, and provide that extra jolt of hope you need to make it through the next hurdle in your own journey.

G is for God Is...

Hey guys!! Still re-capping my series from the fall on Fertility A-Z. If you missed it, I'm posting all the videos from periscope and much of the content in the blog.

This one is really big for me. Who God is. It's important. It's relevant in our lives and in each of our situations. It's crucial to your faith. So let me ask you this- is there something that you believe about God, but you don't think He will be that way in your life or in your situation? For instance, you believe He is faithful (in general), but when you really think about it, you don't think He will be faithful in the situation you're going through right now. Or what about this one- You know and believe He's a jealous God, but you don't really think He cares if you put Him first or not. Do you believe He's full of compassion, but that you may never experience it? Those are all lies from the enemy and they've got to be dealt with before you can really step into freedom and into the fullness of who God created you to be.

Check out the video (you can feel free to skip ahead to about 2.5min to skip intros/smalltalk).

When I was trying to conceive and I first began journaling my feelings about the whole process, I felt led to make a list of who God Is and what He is like. So I googled a little, I flipped through my Bible a LOT, and began writing. When I'm feeling low on faith, down in the dumps, or feel like I'm losing hope... This list snaps me out of my fog quickly! It's not all-inclusive, and many of these have several more scriptures than I have listed, but it's a good starting place to remind yourself WHO GOD IS. I highly encourage you to take a good long look at this list and ask yourself if there's anything here that you're struggling to believe about God in YOUR life. If you believe these things about God, then choose to believe that He will be this way in your situation as well. He doesn't change!

GOD:

Is Good PSALMS

Is Righteous Ps 116:5

Is Full of Compassion Ex 34:6, Ps 103:8, Ps 111:4

Is Sovereign Is 61:1-3

Is A God of Peace Eph 2:14, 1 Cor 14:33

Is Light 1 John 1:5

Is Love 1 John 4:8, 16

Is Slow to Anger Ex 34:6

Bestowes Favor & Honor Ps 84:11-12

Does not show Favoritism Acts 10:34

Heals Is 59:1

Hears Is 59:1

Fights for Me Josh 23:3, Deut 9:3 Deut 20:4

Bears My Burdens Daily Ps 68:19

Will Not Abandon or Destroy You Deut 4:31

Does Not Withhold Any Good Think From Those Who Walk Uprightly Ps 84:11

Is Faithful Is 4:7, 1 Cor 1:9, 1 Cor 10:13, Ps 100:5, Lam 3:22-23

Is Holy Is 49:7

Is Lord Is 49:23, Ps 114:15

Is Savior Is 49:26

Is My Redeemer Is 49:26

Is A Jealous God Deut 4:24

Is Merciful Deut 4:31

Is My Refuge, Fortress, & Rock Deut 33:27, Ps 46:1, Ps 94:22

Is My Shield & Strength Prov 30:5, Ps 46:1, Ps 73:26

Is My Help Ps 54:4

Is My Comforter Is 51:12

Is The First & The Last Is 48:12, Is 44:6, Rev 1:17

Is Gracious Ps 116:5, 2 Chron 30:9, Ps 84:11

Is My God Forever Ps 48:14

Is My Portion Ps 73:26

F is for Faith

F is for Faith

If you are low on faith, I have a couple of scriptures, stories, and a resource that I know will fuel up your hope. You don't need a TON of faith, remember!! Luke 17:6 (MSG) says, "But the Master said, 'You don’t need more faith. There is no ‘more’ or ‘less’ in faith. If you have a bare kernel of faith, say the size of a poppy seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, ‘Go jump in the lake,’ and it would do it."

D is for Doubt

When I was in the middle of my fertility crisis, there were days I thought I could conquer the world... days I knew FOR SURE that we would get pregnant. Then, there were days that I felt doubt creep in...days I heard the enemy speaking through my thoughts, "I might never get pregnant," "what if I'm never a mom," "there's something wrong with me."

Well my husband and I decided one day to stop asking for our promises in a half-hearted, doubtful way, and to begin claiming the promises of God instead! We began thanking God in advance for the things we didn't see, and man, was that powerful. Please watch the 5 minute clip below for the original video.

As Thanksgiving approaches, it's a great time to begin thanking the Lord for the things you don't see happening yet, for the things you're trusting God for, for the baby you're hoping for. And, of course, fill your mind with truth and not lies by reading the word of God and tossing negative thoughts as far away as you can. Our thoughts are SO powerful, and can affect your health, emotions, and fertility!!

When we implant God’s word into our minds through our thinking, we fill our brains with the powerful environmental influence of God’s love, which directly impacts our mental and physical health in a positive direction. Talk about a sound mind!
— Dr. Caroline Leaf

Anytime doubt begins to creep in, anytime you begin thinking, "what if God doesn't do what He said He would," or "God is good but probably won't pull through for me," remind yourself who God is.

God is faithful. God is Holy. God is your Redeemer. God is merciful. God is your refuge and rock. He's your shield and your strength. God is your help. The Bible says He fights our battles for us. God is the one who comforts you. He's righteous. He's full of compassion. God is GOOD, and He will be good in your situation and your life. Don't doubt who He is or that He will be who He is in YOUR life and YOUR situation.

Say "I am Fruitful!!"

3 Keys to LIVING OUT who you are in Christ

Ok, so all I have time to do right now is quickly post up the scripture and the 3 points, but please watch the video (below) if this is something you need to hear right now. We discuss some cool stuff about acting like a princess. You can skip ahead to about 3:40 on the video if you want to skip introductions, etc. Love you guys!!

James 2:1-6 The Message

"My dear friends, don’t let public opinion influence how you live out our glorious, Christ-originated faith. If a man enters your church wearing an expensive suit, and a street person wearing rags comes in right after him, and you say to the man in the suit, “Sit here, sir; this is the best seat in the house!” and either ignore the street person or say, “Better sit here in the back row,” haven’t you segregated God’s children and proved that you are judges who can’t be trusted? Listen, dear friends. Isn’t it clear by now that God operates quite differently? He chose the world’s down-and-out as the kingdom’s first citizens, with full rights and privileges. This kingdom is promised to anyone who loves God."

1. Understand and actively receive that GOD CHOSE YOU!

2. Guard your heart

3. Begin acting like the prince or princess that you are.