Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Spiritual Happiness: Conquering Fear through Spiritual Strength
    Spiritual Happiness: Conquering Fear through Spiritual Strength
    Spiritual Happiness: Conquering Fear through Spiritual Strength
    Ebook128 pages2 hours

    Spiritual Happiness: Conquering Fear through Spiritual Strength

    By L. W. Lawrence

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    Spiritual happiness comes from conquering fear. Other fears in life such as fear of others, fear in marriage, fear of failure, and fear of dying are discussed in relation to the one and only fear we should have, fear that we are not living for God, in God’s will, and with God’s blessings. By understanding what fear is and classifying it in our lives, we can conquer fear and live in spiritual happiness. God wants us to be happy, fulfilled, and encouraging to others. He created this wonderful planet for us to enjoy and to replenish. It is His masterpiece and we should care for it as such. We are part of that masterpiece and we should care for ourselves and others with the same degree of respect. From this flows spiritual happiness from our Father, the Father of all creation.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherL. W. Lawrence
    Release dateJun 5, 2014
    ISBN9781310322679
    Spiritual Happiness: Conquering Fear through Spiritual Strength

    Read more from L. W. Lawrence

    Related to Spiritual Happiness

    Related ebooks

    Christianity For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Jul 22, 2022

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      9 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Sep 23, 2022

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Jun 16, 2023

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      7 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The Editor

      Aug 7, 2020

      Greetings in the Holy Name of our Lord Jesus Christ. In your July issue of JOY! you asked what we are grateful for. I’m grateful for the fact that Jesus Christ saved me and my family. My third born son suffered severe burns on his body, and my last b

      6 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Nov 25, 2022

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      8 min read

    • Article

      Joy: God’s Gift to Every Born-Again Believer

      Aug 26, 2022

      Our Western society throws many challenges at us, but these are nothing like what the persecuted Church experiences, or even ordinary citizens in closed and communist nations. There are so many brothers and sisters in Christ who are struggling with l

      2 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Apr 5, 2024

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      10 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Mar 10, 2023

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      8 min read

    • Article

      The Power That Remains When The Hurricane Leaves

      Sep 9, 2019

      Atlantic communities, particularly the Bahamas, have been left reeling in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. But even when things seem hopeless, nothing can take away God’s limitless love, which arms us with peace, strength, comfort, and inspiration.

      2 min read

    • Article

      What Does It Mean To Be Spiritual?

      Apr 11, 2019

      Today’s contributor explores how knowing our true identity as fundamentally spiritual helps us see beyond limitations, rise above fears, and experience our relation to God in a very real way.

      2 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Feb 11, 2022

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      6 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Jul 21, 2023

      D ear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to k

      6 min read

    • Article

      Overcoming Thoughts Of Suicide

      Jun 8, 2018

      Today’s contributor shares spiritual ideas that enabled her to help a friend struggling with the question of whether his life was worth living.

      3 min read

    • Article

      Living What Matters: Reflections, Prose and 52 Prompts for Self-Inquiry

      May 10, 2020

      — Since books arrive like children, after months of labor, the timing of their arrival is well beyond us. And so, in the midst of this profound, painful, and transformative time, my new book, The Book of Soul: 52 Paths to Living What Matters is arriv

      3 min read

    • Article

      Pooch Parables Man’s Best Friend

      Jun 15, 2020

      We all know the age old adage that a dog is man’s best friend. What are the qualities of this BFF? There are many more, but here are a few that come to mind: • Eogs are consistently loyal, faithful, and willing to provide their owners with unconditio

      2 min read

    • Article

      The Power to Overcome Fear

      Jun 24, 2022

      The Power to Overcome Fear
      4 min read

    • Article

      Pearls Of Kingship Part Ll

      Sep 4, 2020

      “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” – Matthew 7:6 We need to understand the background and context of the above verse to gain an und

      3 min read

    • Article

      A Spiritual Basis For Fatherhood

      Jul 1, 2021

      A longtime father shares how getting to know God as the divine Parent of everyone can empower one’s efforts to nurture, care for, and protect others, including one’s own children.

      2 min read

    • Article

      Buddhism And Me

      Oct 6, 2020

      Buddhism And Me
      6 min read

    • Article

      Letters To The EDITOR

      Feb 10, 2023

      Dear readers, we love to hear your thoughts on the stories that we publish, what is going on around the world, and what the Lord has placed on your heart! Email your letter through to editor@joymag.co.za for a chance to be featured – please try to ke

      8 min read

    • Article

      Jesus Is The Prince Of Peace

      Jul 30, 2021

      Jesus Is The Prince Of Peace
      1 min read

    • Article

      Transforming Fear Into Hope

      May 23, 2022

      Transforming Fear Into Hope
      4 min read

    • Article

      Knowing In The Unknown

      Jun 13, 2018

      Words PETER WHITE Many people take their spirituality for granted. By spirituality, I am referring to an individual’s experience of the sacred or transcendent that expands their sense of self into a more unified state of awareness. It’s usually assoc

      7 min read

    • Article

      Sarah Jakes Roberts

      Oct 1, 2021

      Sarah Jakes Roberts
      2 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Spiritual Happiness

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Spiritual Happiness - L. W. Lawrence

      Spiritual Happiness

      Conquering Fear through Spiritual Strength

      Copyright 2000 and 2014 L. W. Lawrence

      Published by L. W. Lawrence at Smashwords

      Cover Design by Laura Shinn Designs

      Smashwords Edition License Notes

      This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Smashwords.com or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      Table of Contents

      Introduction

      Chapter One - What is Fear?

      Chapter Two - Living with Fear

      Chapter Three - Fear of Others

      Chapter Four - Fear in Marriage

      Chapter Five - Fear of Failure

      Chapter Six - Fear of Death

      Chapter Seven - Fear of God

      Chapter Eight - Grandma Bessie's Story

      Chapter Nine - Lessons for Spiritual Happiness

      Chapter Ten - Conclusion

      About Dr. L. W. Lawrence

      Introduction

      The only request my grandmother had, other than giving my soul to Jesus, was to write a book dedicated to her. She cared for every soul she met and this book provides a summary of her teachings and philosophy. What you read in this book is based on a Christian foundation formed by the words and works of Bessie Alma Dozier Waggoner who was one of the most dedicated Christian women that I have or will ever know. Her spirit is alive and well and I hope to capture her wisdom in the words of this book. I’ve updated and edited it from its original version, but the message is the same. The only real fear in life is not knowing God’s love that is given generously to us through the power of the Holy Spirit from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

      This book is an updated version of a book that I started writing in 1994 and copyrighted in 2000. I originally titled my book Why Fear? A Christian’s Guide to Understanding Fear, and I used my grandmother’s name, Bessie Waggoner, as a pseudonym to honor her for the Christian foundation she provided for our family. She had asked me several times over the years to write a book that not only described her struggles in life but her ability to overcome obstacles and to live a life full of God’s love. She credited her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for all her strength and all her blessings. A Christian powerhouse packed in a frame that was less than five feet tall, she was a strong prayer warrior who held our family together with faith and determination that would rival any military defense. She was a family shepherd and kept a close watch over her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

      To honor her life of love and loyalty to God, I promised her that after I finished my education I would write a book for her. She considered an education important but did not realize my plans included an undergraduate degree followed by a masters and then a doctorate. Unfortunately, my grandmother passed away in 1986 the year I completed my MBA. After finishing my PhD in 1992 and having my first and only child in 1993, I started writing this book. However, it was never published. I copyrighted it and left it with a bookstore owner to review and critique. She never responded. A few years later the manuscript was miraculously found by my cousin who was working at the store. She saw our grandmother’s name and inquired about the manuscript. The reviewer called me and apologized for misplacing it and encouraged me to publish the book. By that time I was overwhelmed with being a wife, a mother, and a college professor. Years passed, my son left for university, and I eventually retired from my position as an associate dean. The book stayed alive in the back of my mind, and I knew that as soon as the time was right, I would resurrect it and publish it for Grandma Bessie. Her spirit through the power of the Holy Spirit has helped me keep this promise.

      Spiritual happiness comes from conquering fear. Other fears in life such as fear of others, fear in marriage, fear of failure, and fear of dying are discussed in relation to the one and only fear we should have, fear that we are not living for God, in God’s will, and with God’s blessings. By understanding what fear is and classifying it in our lives, we can conquer fear and live in spiritual happiness. God wants us to be happy, fulfilled, and encouraging to others. He created this wonderful planet for us to enjoy and to replenish. It is His masterpiece, and we should care for it as such. We are part of that masterpiece so we should care for ourselves and others with the same degree of love and respect. From this commitment flows spiritual happiness from our Father, the Father of all creation.

      Loving our Father with all our hearts, minds, and souls is the basic concept taught by Jesus and passed down generation to generation, family to family, church to church. Whether you knew my grandmother, Mrs. Bessie Waggoner, or can relate to her from your own experiences with your grandmothers and grandfathers, the messages from past generations are weaved together with a common thread. That thread is the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who died for our sins and provided a path for us to our Father in Heaven who reigns now and forever and who wants us to enjoy spiritual happiness through conquering fear and knowing God.

      Ephesians 3:19-21

      19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.

      20 Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

      21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

      Chapter One - What is Fear?

      We all experience fear. We know what it is. Some of us live in constant fear while others vary between extremes. This book covers what fear is, why we fear, and how to overcome our fears. The secret ingredient is the Holy Spirit which is the shield, armor, and sword in life. Without the Holy Spirit we live in fear. There is no protection from evil without the anointing of the Holy Spirit. The following passage from the Bible explains the dangers we should consider in this world. Things that people fear most are not the greatest threats.

      We are exposed daily to scary situations through television, movies, or books and think that those are the greatest fears of our lives. However, what imagination shows us in no way compares to the evils of this world. We are surrounded by elements that seem harmless but that can destroy us. The Bible has a passage that empowers us to overcome these subversive evils.

      Ephesians 6:12-18

      12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

      13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

      14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

      15 And having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

      16 Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

      17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

      18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

      We are born into a world of fear that can leave us with feelings of hopelessness. This hopelessness causes us to search for strength and protection. Many of us who are exposed to Christianity find God’s strength, protection, and happiness through the power of the Holy Spirit provided to us through our Savior Jesus Christ. Without this exposure to Christianity, we may find something else in which to base our existence and to devote our energies. Many of these things are evil and deceiving. Evil targets those who are not shielded by faith. As we seek to fill our needs for security, belongingness, and self-esteem, we become exposed to worldly forces that may not have Christian foundations.

      For example, to satisfy belongingness needs some people turn to gangs or join groups that prey on unshielded souls. These affiliations can lead to drugs and crime and eventually to jail. Some affiliations cloud the true meaning of life and keep us from finding our real purpose. We blanket ourselves in these diversions and are unable to find happiness and peace. Deceptions are put before us to keep us from finding God and are more numerous than we can imagine. We become filled with fear as we find ourselves being drawn away from God and toward deadly relationships and dependencies. Our lives become consumed by fear.

      Living in fear results in wasted living or living without meaning. Our thoughts are consumed by worldly fears. We may have nightmares or disturbing thoughts as a result of seeing something on television, at the movie theater, or on social media. Some networks carry back to back crime shows and compete by portraying how shockingly evil people can be. We envision some horrible act happening to us or our loved ones and wonder how we would react in the same circumstances. Our time is wasted fearing an event or situation that has a miniscule probability of occurring but has become our reality. Fear is our perception of reality and the true tragedy is time lost and mental anguish suffered.

      How do we overcome this tragedy? The answer is simple. We must be protected from fear by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Jesus left this powerful shield to His disciples and asked that they distribute this gift to others. It has been passed down from generation to generation since the Holy Ascension.

      How do we find the Holy Spirit? Jesus answered this question for all mankind and then paid the ultimate price to assure that everyone who accepted Him as Lord and Savior would not know death but join Him in eternal life. What a wonderful gift! It makes evil lurking on Earth seem less threatening when all that man can destroy is the flesh. Jesus has reserved our seat at the table with God the Father who created our spiritual being. We are children of God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and He wants us to do our part to fulfill our responsibilities as children of God. What is our part in His divine plan?

      First, we

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1