(Cliffhanger continued from Day 5…)

***Check out yesterday’s post to catch up by clicking the link here:

31 Days of Hindsight: Day 5

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31 Days of Hindsight: Day 6

You would have thought that Jacob’s encounters with the angel of the Lord would have empowered and emboldened him beyond FEAR; yet, he still fell into fear-traps, causing him to lean on his own understanding, instead of trusting God.

How often do I do that?

How often do you?

I will have a “Holy Goosie” experience and 15 minutes later be overwhelmed by the finances, messy house, traffic curve balls, flat tire, friend betrayal, a sick pet or spilled milk, you name it…

Can you relate?

***Fear can cause us to HIDE, DIVIDE and BRIBE, just to name a few!

Do you agree?

(**Go read all of Jacob’s story in Genesis when you have time.  I promise you will not be bored! Here is a link to Genesis 32 MSG but back up several chapters to read Jacob’s full history.) 

Jacob clearly had a walk with the Lord;

yet,

He spent years in hiding from a brother he deceived and therefore feared; (HIDE-a coward)

He divided up his people and possessions to save some, just in case his disgruntled brother ever attacked; (DIVIDE-a paranoid worry wart)

and

He sent gifts to his estranged brother, in an effort to bribe him, thinking his gifts might erase his past hurts. (BRIBE-a manipulator)

Lord, how have we allowed fear to creep in and lead us to lean on our own understanding and resources, over trusting in YOU?

When have we hidden out of fear?  Lord give us the courage to come out of isolation and into your glorious light!

Where have we seen fear cause division and how can we be instruments of unity and bridges of hope instead?  Lord give us wisdom to recognize the divides and give us the strength, grace and creativity to help close the gaps!

In what ways, Lord, have we tried to bribe others in a conscious or subconscious way, in order to get what we want or to make amends without having to have the hard, humbling conversations?  Lord help us to grow in selflessness and humility; so that we will put the need of others above our own and we will be quick to say we are sorry, in an effort to right our wrongs, not  sweep them under the rug.

Where fear may cause us to hide, divide and bribe,

FAITH enables us to shine, unite and freely give!