God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and sound mind. —1 Timothy 1:7

God doesn’t want us to live in the “what-if’s.” He wants us to trust Him in the here and now. 

Trust me when I tell you that stepping out in faith with this whole knitting book thing has been a bit scary for me, because it was way outside of my comfort zone. Since I was so sure that this was where God was leading me, I was more fearful of missing out on God’s best for me if I wasn’t obedient to His calling. 

There is still the unknown with it and that is where I have to be careful to not listen to the “what-if’s” that Satan tries to whisper in my ear. “What if no one buys the book? What if no one wants to be a part of this knitting movement?….what if, what if, what if????” Honestly, I don’t know the answer to any of those questions and it really doesn’t matter. What I do know is that with God anything is possible. He is with me! I continue to trust Him on this journey.

Any feelings of anxiousness or fear expose a trust problem, and that happens when I listen to those lies being whispered in my ear. Living like Jesus is when I choose to live in obedience to where God is leading me no matter how crazy it may seem. There is nothing wrong with dreaming big as long as it aligns with God’s Word and will for you. 

I am still in awe at how God can use an ordinary person like me to not only write this weekly blog post but also to be an author of a knitting pattern/devotion book. I am by no means a master knitter. My sock knitting attempts are a perfect example how challenging knitting can be for me. As much as I enjoy it, it does not come naturally to me.

However, God is able to use me as a vessel to share my love for Jesus, writing and knitting through avenues that I could not ever have imagined. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit that I am only able to accomplish these things. God gets the credit, not me. The only thing I did was be obedient to His call. 

You may think,“There is nothing special about me. How can God use me?” You are the exact person that God wants to use. God can use your ordinary day-to-day activities to make a difference in the lives around you. How can you impact those in your local community in your daily routines? I think too many of us underestimate how we can minister to those that are right in front of us. 

Are you able to spend a few extra minutes to let the clerk, receptionist or wait staff know that you appreciate the job that they are doing? Where can you cause a ripple effect by words or acts of kindness this week? Maybe knit a gift to give to them to let them know they matter?

Dear Lord, bless and use what I have to meet the need of someone in my sphere of influence. Thank You that You are with me wherever You are calling me to serve You. Take away any feelings of anxiousness about what is ahead of me or my loved ones. Help me to remember that You do not give me a spirit of fear but one of power, love and sound mind. It is in the name of Jesus that I pray these things. Amen. 

July Memory Verse: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”—Hebrews 13:8

Please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.