I was just praying out loud for some folks. So aware right now of many chronic – even life and death – needs. Thinking how many people I know who are flat-out over their heads. Been over mine in a personal thing or two lately myself. Keith has a CD in his blue Ford truck that he won’t give up but every time I get behind that wheel, I shove it in the player, flip it to song #9, turn it up as loud as I can stand it, and sing it like there’s no tomorrow. It talks about the kind of over-my-head I want to be. And I want you to be.
Girlfriends, Jesus is so worthy of our trust no matter what has taken us by surprise. Picture that, when the enemy asks for a little extra access to you, the only reason why God may have given him permission is because He knew you’d prove faithful. Do the thing. In the unseen realm, angels are cheering and demons are jeering. You are in the stadium and the bleachers are full. (Hebrews 12:1) Take one for the team if you have to. Be strong and courageous. Be willing to show people how it’s done. Don’t look for a leader. You are the leader. People are looking to you. Be deliberate. Make sure they see Jesus. We’re not here all that long and then there’s BLISS. Forever bliss. Till then, we’re over our heads. But we can dang-well decide what kind of over-our-heads we’re gonna be.
“Over My Head” by Brian Littrell
I tried to figure it out
Time and time again and time again
I guess there’s just some things I’ll never understand
‘Cause Your ways aren’t our ways
But deep down in my soul, down in my soul
There is one thing I know that I know
I’m in over my head
Right where I wanna be
I’m so lost within Your love
The love that always covers me
So high, so deep, so wide
A strong and cleansing tide
My soul has found a place to rest
I’m in over my head
I’ve been holding on
Now I’m letting go, just letting go
Gonna let Your love carry me away
I don’t know where I’m going
But I’m surrounded by the truth
And I can feel the current pulling me
Deeper into You
I’m in over my head
Right where I wanna be
I’m so lost within Your love
The love that always covers me
So high, so deep, so wide
A strong and cleansing tide
My soul has found a place to rest
I’m in over my head
You see me for who I am
You did reach out Your hand
You made me understand
That Your love has always covered me
Sometimes being knee deep is exactly where I wanna be…just so I know that I can NOT do it myself…just a reminder that He is right there with me…every step of the way.
April
This is my first blog ever. God is so nice to give you the words that I so needed to hear. Thank you for caring!
Oh Beth – yea and amen . . . exactly what I have been “feeling” lately.
Needed this, dear Beth. Thank you!
Joanne
thanks, once again, for sharing your heart with us and pointing to the One who is not just the lifter of our heads, but the One over everything.
bless you!
Oh, I needed that today! Thank you, Beth!
In the words of that great theologian from “Finding Nemo” Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!!! in the midst of life today anything from grading finals to a girlfriend who has just slap lost her mind I needed that word:) Now off to itunes to download that song.
Thanks for the encouragement! I have felt “sunk” most of the day!
Oohh I needed that today.
May I also please add that I thoroughly enjoy that Mama Beth posted lyrics to a song sung by a Backstreet Boy 🙂 LOVE IT!
See you Thursday at Converge… can’t wait.
Thanks for the encouragement
Thanks so much for the encouragement! It is much needed right now. I just may have to find that CD. God Bless!
Charlotte – in Georgia
So, I’m sitting in bed with my laptop reading blogs, my mind “fried” from grading exams and papers, wondering if I’ll ever get over the flu and feel good again and I come to this blog. BOOM!! A big old smack of the Holy Spirit (think I shoulda had a V-8) hits me upside the head. You know, sometimes, when we’re in the midst of our misery nothing seems possible, when exactly the opposite is true if we are in Christ. So, thanks for the post, Beth (and the smack upside the head)!! Yes, I should have had “a dose of the Holy Spirit!”
~Cheryl the crazy prof.
(crazy for Christ, that is!!)
Wow, Beth, that was a great post. I laugh thinking about iTunes getting hit like crazy by a bunch of us tonight. Bless you!!
Good to hear from you again, Spiritual Mom Beth:)…yes, I’m in over my head too, but I want to be, because then it’s Him in me giving me the strength, not me. He has done new works in me that would not have happened otherwise. This is the great God adventure, right?…I see, I agree with you-I want to prove faithful, Beth, I know you understand me, I want to be strong and courageous, pure-hearted, and everything clean, beautiful and faithful on the inside; the place no one sees but Him. I have to be pure. I have to have that renewed mind, or else my life could very well be wasted, and I don’t want that…I really like these words to this song, when I get off of work, I often sing loud on my way home too…Beth, I want to be healed, I want Him to heal me. He did allow the enemy some extra access to me today, but I can see where I needed the wake up call. He IS faithful. Most of the time, I think that life is too hard, and I want to go home to be with Him, but what about fighting that necessary, noble fight of faith? Finishing strong. We were meant to be more than overcomers. I’m tired of sin, it’s time to be free. I get frustrated…At some point, the new creation I’m meant to be has to be realized. There is no other option for me, I don’t want to live any other way. This post is definitely for me tonight. Bless your precious heart, Beth, He loves you. He will complete what He has started in us. Praying for you,
Love and ((HUGS)) to you Spiritual Mom Beth,
katiegfromtennessee
Just Awesome! Whew!
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, Bless His Holy Name!
Long time lurker, first time poster.
WOW. I needed that today.
Thank you.
Amen! Thank you , Beth, for reaching out to us with these words. I hope you are surrounded by people that reach out to you when you need it, too; right at the time that you most need it. Bless you! And again, Amen!
Thank you so much!! Beth, in my family’s situation right now that took us by surprise, I know that God knew about it and I keep thinking about your words that I know I am not going to quote exactly right but I feel like the enemy thinks he has set my brother and myself up for a defeat but God is the one laughing at the enemy because HE has set us up for a victory.
I praise our God even in the midst of this trial/s because HE is my hope. He is faithful and trustworthy and He is worthy!
I am praying for you and your family and all of your sweet staff!!
I needed this word today and I cannot thank you enough!
Much love,
Patty
I think it’s about time to get my ba-donk-a-donk back in the ring.
In other words: amen.
I feel soooo over my head. Completely incomplete. I pray for easier times soon for my family, atleast for a season. We have been so down for so long, we need relief.
I hate to do this but I just had to comment on your questionarre about insecurities. I had just had a pretty emotional talk with my middle-school girl and left to go be with our dog and was praying about our conversation that pretty much revolved around “insecurities”, and my comment to God was, “she is saying everything that I say to myself still! As a thirty-something,married, mother to three! How am I suppose to help her with her insecurities when I can’t get over my own…which are awfully close sounding to a pre-teen girls!! How pathetic am I!” Then I came to my computer and went to your blog,(which I haven’t been to for awhile, sorry 🙂 And I read the post…AND started sobbing! I want to be free from my insecurities, I fear they are tearing me apart from true friendships and putting a wedge between me and God. AND I want to be strong for my daughters. Thanks for listening to me and especially to God!! Bless you.
Thank you, Beth –
Your words, “Don’t look for a leader. You are the leader,” really hit me between the eyes. I may be receiving a promotion at work, and the devil has told me I’m not the one to lead this agency, that I’m not smart enough, good enough…you know the drill. I know the only way I can do the job is with the Lord’s knowledge and wisdom. So many workers are looking for a leader to step up to the plate and access grant money for the agency…it scares me to death knowing that so much responsibility could be on my shoulders soon.
Yet if God leads the way, how can I cower back in fright? I want them to see Jesus in me…to see Him in all I do.
Thank you, sweet Beth, you don’t know how much your ministry has blessed me!
Thank you for this, Beth. I needed it tonight. The last couple of months have been exhausting. I had a baby (#4) in October via c-section, just felt like I was back on my feet and had a basal cell carcinoma (low grade skin cancer) removed last week and found out today I have another basal cell that needs to be removed. Throw in the holidays, homeschooling a cheeky 5 yr. old, my parents visit and a visit from my in-laws and I am SO ready to crawl in bed waving a white flag.
So, thank you for reminding me that God knew all this before hand and has a plan.
this is just what I needed to hear tonight.
Wow… I needed that. I’m considering the possibility of committing to two years overseas with the Journeyman program – and I’m struggling to let go of this Earth in the face of discomfort and suffering.
Of course my favorite Backstreet Boy would be the one to sing Christian music. 🙂
Amen Sister! Over and over again you say exactly what we need to hear and I love you for that.
Love, Kathie
It amazes me that we go from mountain top to valley so quickly and I wonder how I can handle one more dip…and then there is another one…but there is always God on the mountain and in the dips.
Over the weekend 2 youths from our community and church were killed and we are making our plans to attend the funerals tomorrow. My son is in the angry stage of his friends’ deaths. I go to a ladies Bible class that I am unprepared for and on the drive home, I am amazed how God uses me to teach when I feel so inadequate. Then I walk in the door and my mother calls and tells me that my 95 year old grandmother has been rush to the ER…
I’m so thankful that God is in control.You see me for who I am
You did reach out Your hand
You made me understand
That Your love has always covered me….Thank you Beth. Once again you minister to me.
He knew I’d prove faithful. I’ve heard you say that before, but needed to hear it again. Thank you for the encouragement tonight. I will try to remember to take one for the team! Thanks, coach! I am still thinking about your advice to get down on that bathroom floor when I need to pray! I need to hear that song with a tune! I just love a new song!
Love you,
Angie xoxo
Thank you.
No, really… THANK YOU.
You’re such a great cheerleader to all of us in this game, Beth!
I love you! I needed to hear that today…more than you’ll ever know! 🙂
Thank you,
Anne in MO
That is so one of my favorite songs!! I have it as my ring tone on my cell phone.
Thanks for reminding me why I love it so much.
Leigh Ann
Yeah baby…I’m in. I am so in. I am in Christ. And I am seated in Him in heavenly places. I am in. I am so in. In Christ. In Christ alone.
Thanks for the glorious reminder!
Yummmm…that was a tasty word to feast on. I’m running toward the victory!
What a great message to read this evening, perfect for my circumstance. I am wanting to learn to be a leader, and learn to be more deliberate. But most importantly what you said, “make sure people see Jesus.” Beautifully said. Thank you!! 🙂
Keep Shining!
Teresa
xo
Beth, this is my first blog ever! I just want to say I love you. God is so NICE to speak words of hope and strength to our weary hearts through His word, songs, and siestas like you!
WOW – I am in over my head right now – needed this encouragement to “do this thing and to do it right”…thank you! Sunshine
Oh thank you siesta mama!
Love
Gulley
Beth,
Thanks for ministering in such a personal way today. The Enemy certainy IS seeking to gain extra access to me and to some very special people in my life. I WILL continue to trust the One who is ALWAYS faithful. Even when a loved one is in over her head. Even when I feel in over my head. I long for the BLISS. Until then, may I be marked by God-given strength and courage. He who began a good work will be faithful to complete it.
Karla
Cypress, TX
You will NEVER know how that spoke to my little world here.
Thank you.
“Long time reader, first time commenter.”
Beth,
I have followed you for years…
I was in Aggie Sisters for Christ with your sweet daughter and when you came and spoke for us, I was amazed at your grace and wisdom. It was a extremely difficult time in my life. I went and bought every study of yours that I could find. I grew so much during what time, “Praying God’s Word” over my life. I had scriptures posted all over that tiny College Station bedroom!
I now go to HFBC and sit behind you every Sunday, but have never talked to you, not wanting to “bother” you. I don’t post because I feel like SO many other people do and I would just be another name to fill the page.
But, tonight I had to post. I have never needed to hear your words more than I did tonight.
Thank you for continually being a source of encouragement, grace, and wisdom. God uses you in such mighty ways. And though you must know how loved you are, I don’t think that you will ever truly grasp the magnitude to which God uses you in our lives- every single day!
Thank you for being such a faithful servant.
amen…another example of what I just posted about on my blog…HIS power is made perfect in our weakness!!
I REALLY needed to hear this on this very day! Thank you so much.
So many people hurting right now.
Physical stuff (in my family), friends with real serious problems with their teens (including suicidal), monetary financial needs (see that one every day).
Just a vast amount of prayer needs.
Really affecting the holidays for many of my family members and friends (and myself.)
But He still is on the throne, and loves us endlessly.
Wow! I’ve even thought that exact thing lately, that I’m in over my head. I loved the verses of that song! Thank you, your words are so encouraging!
What a beautiful, beautiful song!!
I love your blogs. I spent most of yesterday reading the last year of them. LOL I have done your Stepping Up bible study and listening to you has made me want to believe I’m not alone. I am going through alot of changes right now. And I hate change and I am terrified. But everytime I listen to Casting Crowns ‘Voice of Truth’ it makes me feel better.
Fantastic reminder- not just words but truth- JESUS IS CALLING, WILL I ANSWER???
Dearest Beth…
I needed this so much…Thank you and I Praise You Jesus for your love that covers me til the day of forever Bliss!
Love and Prayers!
Beth, I know I am held in His Grip daily, but I needed these words tonight for encouragement. I sometimes feel my fingers slipping, but when I think I am just about to let go, He always encourages me! John 13:7…my new verse I cling to.
Hugs!
Love that song.
Love this reminder.