The Starfish Story.
On May 15, 2023, I soared through the sky on a zip line high above the shores of Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada. How I got there was a story in itself. And what Holy Spirit revealed to me afterward is a revelation most of us need to hear.
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In the weeks and months following, I've had the opportunity to share the story in front of a number of audiences. Each time I share the story, people's lives are mightily impacted. They may not remember everything in my session, but they all remember this story--the starfish story. "Starfish!" I hear them saying to one another. Weeks later, I run into people, and they excitedly exclaim, "Starfish!"
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And so the Lord prompted me to take it this one step further. Welcome to my Starfish page. I hope you'll take the time to watch the video and hear the story for yourself. I pray the revelation within this story blesses you and sends you soaring to new heights of freedom.
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Jill
"For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand,
Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’" -Isaiah 41:13
What does scripture say about fear and anxiety?
The Bible tells us what is true. Here's what it says to us when we're tempted to get trapped in the spiderweb of fear.
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Psalm 34:4 "I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears."
Psalm 9:10. "And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you."
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Isaiah 13:1. "But now, this is what the LORD says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine."
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Psalm 23:4. "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
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Psalm 27:1. "1 The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?"
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1 Peter 5:7. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
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1 John 4:18. "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
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Psalm 115:11. "You who fear him, trust in the LORD— he is their help and shield."
Deuteronomy 31:6. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
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Psalm 56:3-4. "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?"
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Isaiah 41:10. "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
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Romans 8:15. "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
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Hebrews 13:6. "So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
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​1 Peter 5:7. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
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John 8:36. "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
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STARFISH. Surrender. Expel.
Scientists cannot tag starfish to study them because they expel anything foreign to them.
What are you holding onto that is foreign to your design and destiny? What are you holding onto that does not belong to you?
The blood Christ shed on the cross paid the price for your freedom. Jesus endured the penalty for the sin of all mankind--yours and mine. He died and rose again, triumphing over death so that you and I can access the victory of His sacrifice and resurrection. Surrendering our lives to Christ allows us to walk in the freedom He died to give us. That's good news!
The Bible reveals God's true nature as a good Father and our inheritance as His sons and daughters. Anything that does not align with what God says about us through His Word, must be surrendered to Jesus and expelled. It is not part of who we are. It is foreign to our divine design. Therefore, we can take a lesson from the starfish.
Surrender.
Expel.
Starfish fear.
Starfish anxiety.
Starfish depression.
Starfish sickness.
Starfish unforgiveness.
Starfish bitterness.
Starfish unworthiness.
Starfish shame.
Starfish self-hatred.
Starfish offense.
Starfish comparison.
Starfish perfectionism.
Starfish doubt about who you are in Christ.
Starfish what others say about you that God doesn't say.
Starfish your own self-imposed limitations.
Surrender.
Expel.
When we starfish (surrender) everything to God and starfish (expel) everything that doesn't belong to us as His son or daughter, we experience freedom like never before.
Starfishing leads to a transformed mind and a renewed spirit, a heart that overflows with living water that washes over us and pours out onto others.
Surrender.
Expel.
Starfish.
There are many scriptures that will help you in your Starfish journey. I've listed a few of my favorites, but I encourage you to dive into scriptures and let the Lord reveal His will for you.
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Ephesians 2:10. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
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Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, know that full well.
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1 Peter 2:9. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
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2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
