LIVING THE LIFE

Strength, Dignity, Laughter, and a Fearless Life

Rebekah Clanton

Woodland Church

Mother’s Day Sunday, May 8, 2022

(Proverbs 31:25 NLT) She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.

1.  Choosing a course of strength.

Strength – the capacity of an object or substance to withstand great force or pressure.

(Judges 4:4-9) “Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.”

A.  Strength and Joy come from spending time with God

(1 Chronicles 16:27) “Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his dwelling place.”

B.  Strength is directly impacted by the course we choose.

(Judges 4:4-9) “Certainly I will go with you,” said Deborah. “But because of the course you are taking, the honor will not be yours, for the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh.

2.  Choose to earn and learn.

Dignity – the state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect, self-respect, and composure.

Honor and respect are earned. 

Self Respect and composure are learned.

(Esther 2:15) ‘When the turn came for Esther to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her.”

3.  Choose to have a joyful heart.

Laughter – the action or sound of laughing · an inner quality, mood, disposition

God changed Sarah’s laughter from sarcasm to joy.

(Genesis 18:12) “So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?”

(Genesis 21:6) Sarah said, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.”

Pure laughter is contagious.

(Zechariah 10:7) “Their children will see it and be joyful; their hearts will rejoice in the Lord.”

4.  Choose to live fearless.

Anxiety – a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.

(Philippians 4:6) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Fearless Keys:

• Prayer
• Petition
• Praise
• Honest Faith

Lois and Eunice – handed down honest faith to Timothy.

(2 Timothy 1:7, The Message) “That precious memory triggers another: your honest faith—and what a rich faith it is, handed down from your grandmother Lois to your mother Eunice, and now to you! And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed—keep that ablaze! God doesn’t want us to be shy with his gifts, but bold and loving and sensible.”

Growthwork:

1. I will recognize that I can choose. 

2. I will be passionate in my commitment to Christ. 

3. I will strive to earn and learn – honor, respect, and self-control. 

4. I will choose a joyful heart over an anxious heart. 

5. I will embrace the power of prayer, petition, and praise.

6. I will cherish the privilege of handing down my faith to those God has put in my care.