Victoriously Frazzled- The Frazzled Female's Guide to Restoring Her Sanity
by Cindi Wood
visit www.frazzledfemale.com for more info on study and author.

Week 1
memory verse: "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty"(Psalm 91:1, AMP).

"Our God is a frazzle-friendly God! Not only will He enter into sour stressful circumstances, He longs to be there to bring His relief, comfort, and joy." (Victoriously Frazzled pg 6)

Day 1 Be Still and Let God Fight!
Focus: Being still and allowing God to take over.
Scripture: Exodus 14:1-14

I find it interesting that God gave Moses specific instructions as to where to encamp. He had also told Moses that He would harden Pharaoh's heart. Do you feel that God has ever hardened your heart? If so, what are some lessons learned from it. I know, I have been hard at times. Mostly at times when I feel as though I'm not loved, deserve more, mistreated, and etc. The one thing I think I have learned is that if I allow myself to feel those things it is ok. It is allowing them to control me that causes satan to sneek into those secret places where I spend time with God. God also knew the reaction of the Israelites. Before Pharaoh had released them from slavery, some of them were content. Can you imagine being enslaved to someone or something as the Israelites were, all while knowing our God?!? It just doesn't seem possible. However, I know I do it every day. Whether it is the tv, feelings, emotions, money, computer, facebook, or etc., we allow things to come between us and our God. How great it is to serve a loving, gentle, kind Master, Savior, and Friend!!!
Back to Pharaoh, his heart was hardened. He began to listen to people around him. Why did you let them go? Wasn't life easier having a servant? We should go and get them and bring them back...and so guess what? He allowed worldly influence to creep in. We do that. We shift our focus from God, to our children or the world because it seems that those things are more important. That is what happened to Pharaoh. I believe he looked and listened so much to what the world had to tell him he forgot God's promise to his people. He gathered up his best chariots and the most powerful of his army and set out to get the Israelites. As he (Pharaoh) approached them, the Israelites, they called out to God. Then they began to blame Moses. We told you we were content to serve the Egyptians. Why did you bring us out here to die? The Israelites thought it would have been better for them to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert. By this point you'd think the Israelites would have learned their lesson. But God continues to get His peoples attention. In verses 13-14 Moses said to the people, "Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still." How true is that? We say, God will take us over it, under it, through it, or around it, however, sometimes, all we need to do is be still and know that He is God and He will deliever us from whatever is causing our frazzledness. For "what appeared to be total chaos was not! It was God's plan to bring glory to Himself. His children were not faithful in believing that the same God who had alsways taken care of them would do it again." (VF pg 8)
Do we act as the Israelites did? I know I do. I spend my day running and filling my schedule with all sort of "important" things, neglecting the one most important thing. We are not here to do all things well. We were created and placed here to do one thing, bring glory to God. When I shift my focus from all the things I have to do and the people around me to solely looking at God and seeing His beauty, creation, and majesty the world slows down and I have time for the other stuff as well. It is kind of like in Matthew 14 when the disciples thought they saw a ghost and it was Jesus. They had cried out in fear. Jesus said, "Don't be afraid; it is I." Peter said, "Lord if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water." Jesus told him to come. As Peter stepped out on the water, he realized he was walking on it and began to shift his focus from Christ to the circumstances of wind around him, he began to sink. Notice Peter didn't just all at once fall under water, it was a progression. We start out that way. We get comfortable with the water around our ankles then it begins to climb. Before you know it, we feel as though the current is too much and we are drowing. Sin works the same way. We watch a tv show that has a few swear words in it, then, a show with a little sexual display, and before you know it we are watching things that God warns us to protect ourselves from. It works that way with food for me. Oh, I'll have just one cookie today. By next week, I'm sitting down with the bag and eating all of them. It is something that has a stronghold on me. God is working on me with it, but, boy do I have a long way to go. He is continually working on us to make us molded more and more into His image. He is patiently waiting for us to come to Him for the strength and help that we need. If we allow him to fill us, then there will be no longer be looking for the world to fill that void. As Peter was sinking, Jesus said to him, "Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Have faith and be still, God will protect us, just as He did the Israelites. Are you looking for a way out? Are you looking to fill a void? Is God calling you to come to Him? Don't hesitate! He loves us so much!!! So much, He was willing to send His only Son to die for you and me. I am so thankful for that. As bad as I think things are sometimes, when I think of Christ on the cross and the events that happened before He was put there, it can't be that bad after all. He was the one that took my beating, carried my cross, was spit on, had nails placed in His hands and feet, a crown of thorns placed on His head, and His side rivened. It wasn't me!! But HE, Jesus Christ, did it for me!!! How greater a love can you find, than a friend, who wants to walk with us, than the love of my Savior Jesus Christ. If you are interested in a personal relationship with Him, all you have to do is be willing. He longs to have you close, and it is so simple to have; all you have to do is ask Him. Doesn't mean life will be simple, just that there is joy in knowing MY REDEEMER LIVES!!!

He waits for us to be still and listen as we grow into the likeness of Christ!! Hope you are growing closer to Him today as, I am. Love in Christ to all who read this!!!:0)