Below are notes taken by our own Kate Martin from the first session of the Spring Women's Conference that is going on at Bethlehem this weekend. The conference title is "'You Are Mine' Do You Believe It?" and the focus is on trusting God in the midst of fear.

The speaker is Andrée Seu, regular columnist and podcaster for World Magazine and the author of several books. John Piper recommends hearing her:

Of all the regular writers for World Magazine, her articles are often the most penetrating and creative. She is not unacquainted with suffering, and knows a loving and sovereign Savior to sustain her hope. I encourage our women to listen and go deep with Andrée Seu.

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Session One: Getting Real

This topic of fear is very relevant to many women today. Over 700 women have gathered for this conference this weekend and all (including the speaker) struggle with some kind of fear. Andrée Seu has helpfully spoken of ways she has found comfort and help in our God who is greater than all our fears.

“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” Psalm 56:3

Abiding in Christ

The ticket to not fearing is a moment by moment abiding in Christ. Abiding means talking to Him, reading His word, and doing His commands.

The Right Focus

Fear comes from a wrong focus. You need to take your mind off all the things you’re afraid of. There are so many things in your life that are fact but God is the biggest fact.

For example, in 2 Kings 18-19 a representative comes from Assyria and tries to take the people’s and Hezekiah’s focus from the right things. But Hezekiah tells them not to fear and not to listen to him. We need to put this same idea into action.

Another example is Peter who dropped his gaze and feared while walking with Jesus on the water.

And there is the man in Mark 5 who receives word that his daughter has died while Jesus is on the way to help. But just imagine Jesus, amidst the crowd, looking at the father and saying, “Don’t be afraid, just believe.”

Our Perception

Our faith in God is never going to rise higher than our perception of who God is.

Fear steals your joy.

Joy should be a normal thing. Is it for you? (1 Peter 1:8)

There is sometimes a gap in between our theology and reality. Do you feel like…

  • The Bible over-promises things and something has gone wrong?
  • You handle your problems on your own?
  • God is always a little upset with you?
  • God wooed you at one time and now has left you to fend for yourself?
  • You’re not convinced the Lord really wants to restore you gently when you have been caught in sin?

Your perception of God affects how you think all day.

So let your heart abide in Christ. Let your gaze stay focused on him. And let your perception of God be exactly what he says he is, and believe him in it. Then you can pray to overcome your fears. And with God this is possible.

Topic: Women