I was about to depart on a trip. We would be covering 4 countries. In addition to checked bags, I had a large backpack as my carry on.

I saw a Media post that stood out, so I stopped to read it.

overpacking was fear.

Fear that they'd get too cold, so they brought extra clothes. Fear that they'd not find food, so they brought too many snacks. And the list went on. Then being weighed down by the heaviness, the stress and pain it caused creates attitudes and this was often what people would see from the outside. This summarized at the end with an essence of shedding those fears, one by one, leaving them in the paths behind, and becoming freed to be your real self.

As I read this article, I realized that there are even deeper spiritual implications. What fears do we carry because we haven't turned them over to faith, even though we know we should?

In the trueness of faith there is no fear.
When God gives His word, we don't need to lug around a "Plan B". Drop the fear, embrace the faith. He knows what is to come and what we have need of, and He has got you. 

It takes experiencing Him at his word to better embrace what we need to do and what we leave to Him. And not every journey is the same.

Sometimes He says, take your money belt and your cloke; sometimes He says "leave them behind" - trust Him, even if it doesn't seem to make sense. Learn how to hear Him and trust Him.

Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. "

We can lay our burdens upon Him for He cares for us (from 1 Peter 5:7)

And then we can pack just what we need to travel light, in the light of His great grace.

It's harvest season and there are a lot of fruits that grow on vines being harvested. Watermelon, pumpkin, and the remaining harvest that may be left from the summer seasons. Fruit comes in the season it's designed for, rarely early and seldom late. In those times when fruit does come early, it's never an abundance of fruit, but rather one or two pieces. It's also rarely the best fruit.

The same is true with the latter fruit - that fruit which comes past the season. Rarely do I buy peaches after the end of July. Sure there are still peaches around for sale, and they look great. Sometimes they even feel perfect to the touch, but when you bite into them, they're often grainy and very dissatisfying.

But that fruit that comes in the season it was meant for, that fruit is delicious and very satisfying. When we think about the fruit of our lives, the same is true. We will all show fruit, some bad fruit, or some good fruit, depending on its source. When we think of the good fruit, we have to understand our seasons. Those seasons are prescribed by our Father - the One who formed us, gave us a unique design with our very own fingerprint.

We are called to use our gifts in different ways. Some of those gifts may be natural gifts based on the design He gave us from conception. Some of those gifts may be special gifts, that He has given us even though they may even be contrary to our natural abilities. But whatever those gifts are that you've been given, the question may be asked as to the fruit they will bear. If we try to push ahead, out of God's timing, we may bear fruit, but it will be sparse, and potentially sour.

If we hold on to those gifts too long, leaving them on the vine past their due season. Sometimes we wait out of fear, or lack of faith. Sometimes we wait out of lack of clarity for the mission to which we're called. But whatever the reason, if the fruit stays on the vine too long, the output may not be as perfect.

The closer we are in relationship to the One who formed us, the easier it is to recognize His timing in our lives. Harvesting the fruit is the result of the effort of cultivation. As You are pursuing the path that He's giving you according to your gifts, just like a gardener is intentional to pull weeds from the garden to keep the plants from being choked out, we too must be cognizant to keep the noises weeded out from our daily lives that would try to choke out the things that God wants to cultivate in us.

If there are things that He has been growing in you, showing you your gifts and how to apply them, seek Him and His timing. His timing may not always make sense to us, and the timing of others is not an indicator of our own timing, so stay connected daily through His word and through an open line of conversation. Seek Him and ask Him. He will bring confirmation, and clarity. Make sure you have your life weeded so that those distractions that have no potential for bearing fruit can be removed from your life and your daily activities.

Great satisfaction comes when the fruit of our lives is harvested in its perfect season. Great abundance can be found there, and its sweetest produce will impact the lives of others. The Son said, "My meat is to do the will of my Father". Indeed, when we grow in God, and we are weaned past the basics, the greatest refueling to our souls is not the pouring in from an external source, but the pouring out from us of what He's already given us. It is in this harvest that the greatest satisfaction comes, as we see the fruit, and we are refueled and ready for His continuous refilling.
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Don't hold on to those things that are meant to be poured out. If you leave it on the vine past its season, it will go to rot. The next season those seeds may bear new vines, but you will miss the harvest that was intended.

As I passed through the day just days ago, a symbol came to mind of who I am in relationship in my daily walk with the One who made me be and set me free.
When we read the verse 13 in the book of Philippians chapter 4, what does it mean "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength"?
So I decided to write a poem about the personal explanation it holds for me in my life and daily walk. I hope that the meaning brings life into your own walk. Fear not.

I am the sail - He is the wind, and He holds the lines to guide.
If His wind is still, I do not go. If His wind is strong, I move along.
As His lines guide left, my bow is turned, If they stay taunt I stay the course.
He is the captain in still or storm. I am the sail in skillful hands.
As I do my part, as I am the sail, all things to be accomplished will be done.
Through this, I can do all things through Him.

There are many aspects to a victorious life. One such is that provision is made for the needs of our lives. 

Throughout the Bible there are numerous references to the concept of bread. Bread is a food, and in one form or another it is a food commonly recognized around the world as a staple of meal. It is a food made out of grain, particularly, often of wheat, or containing wheat.

I learned some years ago when growing in understanding of God as my Provider, that not only does He provide for me, but in many ways, He is my provision. While I'll only touch on that side of the reference lightly in here, when we come to a place of truly laying our trust in Him, the happenings of our lives and the world around us do not unravel our peace and the trust that all provision will be made becomes a foundation of hope and assurance.

With the factor of provision, a victorious life looks different in different phases in our lives. Too often we attribute financial wealth with a victorious life. While having financial wealth is fine as it's provided, the state of victory surly does not revolve around this factor. Having provision, however, is certainly a factor of a victorious life. 

The God of the universe, who holds all things in His hands is more than able to make any needed provision available to meet your needs. Ephesians 3 verse 20 tells us this in, "... Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask and think...". The provision of God is not limited by worldly things or methods, though very often He chooses to use natural, yet divinely orchestrated, events and people to accomplish the provision that He intends to put into our hands and lives.

I spoke of the references to bread earlier. Sometimes God will do things in such a way that the mere basis of the provision directly draws from the reference of His word in the Bible scriptures. I was moved with His love as He made a recent delivery wrapped in the memory of a verse of Scripture.

Not long ago, we were in a very thin financial situation. Every penny counted and there was no additional known income that would give comfort in the very near future. We had a few meals of food in the fridge but it would be gone before the next week. That evening my spouse return home with an amazing gift, while stopped to fuel the car at a gas station, the person filling on the other side had unexpectedly just offered a large amount of bread. When I saw it, it was not only bread, but fresh baked whole loaves, many loaves, and pastries (muffins with berries and scones), and sour breads and sweet breads - so many breads! It was as if the Lord Himself had provided the gift, saying, "don't worry, I'm here, and here's a little something to keep you going - I love you". 

It drew me straight to the scripture that seemed to come in with the bread, "I have been young and now am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or His descendants begging bread." (Psalm 23:25)

As we live uncompromising lives in faith of Him as our provided, there is a peace, a "peace that surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7) even when there is nothing in sight and no natural knowledge of from where help may come - the answer - it will come from Him, in whatever form He desires, for truly, everything is available to Him for His directing in His perfect timing.

Today, it was bread. Another day my need may be different - your need may be different - it may be physical, it may be emotional, it may be relational, it may be any number of other things. We look at our "needs" sometimes and think they are so large, but often if we asked the question of "what would happen if we didn't get what we think we need?" we'll find the ultimate answer is not quite as big, or significant in the bigger picture as we thought. God sees our whole picture. He knows our true needs. He is our provider of those things we need - sometimes we understand our needs and sometimes we don't, but He does - clearly and within the bigger picture of the purpose and path to which He calls each of us. 

We go through trials and opportunities to trust, but in the end, He is "the bread of life" - He is the provision.

John 6:35 - Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst."


We can walk in greater victory just by knowing this, as no longer are the needs of our lives consuming our mind and bringing uncertainty. Our provision has already been made.

​Eat of His bread and be whole.

Why would we want to intentionally be uncomfortable? That seems to make no sense, it's so unnatural - and the unnatural aspect of it is exactly the point. When we reach out and realize that becoming more than who we are today and growing toward who we each are truly meant to be will take stretching, and stretching often hurts in one way or another, then the discomfort is no longer the focus, but a necessary side effect of the journey. 
There's a verse in the Bible, book of Matthew, chapter 6 (verse 33) that states, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you".

This is very significant and a powerful scripture to remember, for it is a promise to us as well as a direction to us. The promise is that the God of all creation will take care of all of our needs (truly all of them), but the direction is for us to stay focused on the vision He has and to continuously move for His purposes. (For some this is very specific direction and vision for projects, missions, and service. For others, the current direction is unclear, so identify your strengths and resources and use them to bring God glory and help others to know Him. For all however, regardless of the clarity you have of your part in His kingdom at this time, we are called to love others - not just some others, or those we want to love, or know how to love, but all others, even those hard to love.) It is also to stay tuned to that which He shows us is His righteousness (that which we could never accomplish by our will, but is made possible through the power of God when He forgives our sin and covers us in His righteousness (See the book of Isaiah, chapter 61, verse 10 (also in the Bible)) for more on this.)

How does this relate to being uncomfortable? It is very often that things we are called to focus on are either things we aren't naturally accustom to doing, are too big for us to accomplish in our own abilities, or are culturally unpopular. All of these things will force us out of our comfort zones. Through it however it will also promote growth; growth in us as people, and growth in our trust in God as we watch Him deliver on His promise.

In computer language there is a security measure called a Firewall. The intent of a Firewall is to create a barrier keep the "bad stuff" from getting in to get access to the valuable computer and network places. 
These places house the data and information that companies and people use to keep track of important things, do business and function in many other ways. It protects where the inner workings are that keep the systems running like they should. If someone with bad intentions were to get access to the computer or network they could potentially steal valuable information or corrupt or destroy key configurations or code making the computer or systems fail or breakdown. If you've ever gotten a virus on a computer you have experienced a little of this threat.

If you understand even a little about spiritual things and the supernatural realm, you may likely believe that there are some bad spirits out there, and you'd be right. This, without a more complete and accurate understanding, can seem like a scary thing. We are often naturally afraid of what we don't understand. Technology can be scary for someone who doesn't know how to use it, but for those who understand how it all works together, it can be easy to navigate the code to use it to their advantage. But things we don't understand can be even more scary if we have just enough understanding to know it could hurt us . Bad spirits sure seem like something that might want to hurt us. The devil is kind of like the commander of all the other bad spirits. And indeed his entire plan is to steal, kill and destroy. So, like an attack on a computer, there is a form of viable threat.

However, God is a spirit and He also works in the supernatural realm. Not only does He work in the supernatural realm, He owns it. There is nothing in it that He cannot control. That includes the devil and his goons.

This being said, sometimes well meaning, believing Christ followers may put up a spiritual Firewall against the scary things, unintentionally blocking out the supernatural move of God from their lives in the process. God is sovereign and so if He really needed to speak in a way you were sure to hear, He could. But He's also respectful of how far we want to go with Him, which inevitably leaves an opportunity for us to limit His manifested power and voice in our lives.

If you have wondered if God really speaks, having not experienced His personal direction in your life, either through His word and general revelation, or even through special revelation (both of these explained in more detail below), and you have not been living with unrepented sin in your life (because that in itself will put a wedge between you and God), then you may want to examine if you have put up a Firewall against anything supernatural. God is a spirit and He is very Super-natural. He truly can do all, and He does want relationship with you. He wants to talk with you.

Maybe you have questioned why God doesn't answer when you pray. I assure you, God does answer prayer, and He wants to answer yours. He may not always answer the way you would prefer or would expect, but he does answer. Don't miss His answer or His voice because of a Firewall you have put up.
Here's the good news... you put it up, so you can take it down too. And like the wall of Jericho that came crashing to the ground without a single strike of physical force against it, it's not force that will take down this wall either.

First, understand that a wall is not going to keep a spiritual enemy out of your life, it's just going to keep you from recognizing that the enemy is there. Let me ask, do you think it's easier to hit a target that you can see, or one you can't? Clearly you have a great advantage to combat a force that you can see. While you can't actually see spiritual enemies, you can discern them by your spirit and the leading of God. This doesn't make them more dangerous, this exposes them. How can you productively pray against something if you don't know it's there? But if you discern it, then you can pray specifically against it and can combat it's attack.

Having this understanding, you can take courage that in pulling down this wall, you will not be giving up your security. Your true security is in God, under His wing (Psalm 91:4). The further you are from Him, the further from His cover and protection you are. You are taking a far greater risk shielding yourself from the supernatural than you would be letting God in with all of the supernatural fullness that He is, and letting Him be your shield.

If you realize that this may be a factor in your life preventing you from hearing and experiencing God for yourself and you want to take that step to bring down the wall, you can literally start it now with the very thing you questioned - prayer.

If you need a guide for the prayer, feel free to follow the below, and make it your own.
God, I thank you that you created all things and there is nothing that is outside of your command. I don't want to be afraid of spiritual things anymore. I don't want to block out Your awesome power from my life anymore. I want to be open to hearing Your voice, no matter how You choose to speak to me. I put down my fear and I take up courage that You will be my shield and my protector. I command now that every wall I have put up between You and me must come down and it must come down right now! No longer will I walk in blindness. Help me see all that you want me to see and help me to continuously walk forward in You and not fear. Amen

He will meet you here and honor you in this prayer.

As mentioned previously, God speaks to us in several different ways and even within those ways, He tailors how He speaks to align with how we would understand Him. Most people will never hear the audible voice of God and that's okay. He speaks most frequently through His word. There might be a particular circumstance that you've prayed about and when you open your Bible to read, He takes you right to the scripture that speaks directly to your situation. This being said, if you don't spend any time reading your Bible, you are not only hindering your growth, but you are also cutting out a very common way for how God speaks to His people. God also speaks through means of general revelation - those things that can be found and observed through natural means - such as nature, logic, and reasoning. In addition to communication to the masses of believers that He can tailor just for you right when you need it, He can also speak through special revelation. He can speak directly into your spirit and give you insight and understanding that you didn't have before that moment and had no other natural means of having received it.
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God is speaking, the question is if you are positioned to hear Him.