Overcoming Fear

Fear freezes you in your tracks. It keeps you from moving forward in your life, and it can stop you from doing things you would really like to do. God has not created us to live this way, but instead to conquer all our fears.

I think we all know someone who is too afraid to do anything, so instead, they do nothing. That's not God, and it's definitely not faith. There is a difference in using wisdom and taking precautions when it comes to protecting ourselves from any impeding dangers, and the spirit of fear that stops us from living life to the fullest.  Fear is a like a sneaky snake we all have to deal with. We just have to make a choice to chop its head off with a shovel and get rid of it! 

FEAR IS NOT FROM GOD

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

This scripture tells us FEAR is not from God but that we have been given POWER, LOVE and a SOUND MIND! When God created Adam and Eve, they did not know what fear was until they sinned against God and His Word.  It was only then that they became afraid and hid themselves. JESUS has restored us to our rightful place, and as we get to know Him, we begin to understand that we really do have power, love, and a sound mind.

IF YOU WILL PRESS INTO THE LORD AND ABSORB HIS WORD THIS WILL BECOME A REALITY IN YOUR LIFE.

FEAR OF MAN (OTHER PEOPLE)

Proverbs 29:25 25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.

How many times have you not done something you really wanted to do because you were afraid of what other people might think about you? Fear of what they would say or how they would react?

Fear of failure? Fear of being seen?

You fill in the blanks.

Fear has many ugly faces, but with God we can do all things. Don't let what someone else might think or say hold you back from pursuing God. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you! The enemy wants to hold you back from the things of God - don't let him win! 

POWER OVER FEAR

Psalms 34:4 4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.

At one of the most desperate and fearful times in my life, I clung to this scripture.  When I was six months pregnant with our second son, Kole, Eugene and I had no home, were between jobs, and living with my in-laws.  My marriage was experiencing a very rocky period, and so I became terrified of my husband and what might happen to us. The fear and anxiety over our living and marital situation pushed me into even more fear. I was so miserable and consumed by fear, that I became concerned that I might suffer another miscarriage and lose my unborn child because my stomach was constantly in knots.

Then one day, as I was reading the Word, Psalms 34:4 jumped off the pages at me. I fell to my knees and prayed, "Lord that is me, and I believe Your Word is true! Please do this for me. Deliver me from all my fears!" 

That was 25 years ago.  The Lord has been faithful to walk me through fear after fear and lead me into overcoming them. I continue facing fear and overcoming it every day. Rather than clinging to the fear, I choose to believe that God's Word is true -that I do have power, love and a sound mind. 

The great news is: SO DO YOU!

WITH GOD, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

One of my favorite scriptures is Philippians 4:13. In fact, it's engraved in mine and Eugene's wedding rings to remind us every day how important it is. 

Philippians 4:13 I can do, all things through Christ who strengthens me!

I would not be here today, LITERALLY, had the Lord not walked me through this.

I was a terrible student in school.  I had such a fear of tests, and no confidence in myself, whatsoever.  I didn't believe that I could get good grades, so I often resorted to cheating. If it were not for sports,  I think I would've quit school altogether. But, that is a thing of the past.

Now, I love learning new things! I am continually educating myself because I know that the Holy Spirit is my teacher, and I can do anything in and through Jesus! Learning now excites me, because I know that I have overcome a fear that once held me back. God can do the same thing for you! 

PRAYER Father, I choose to take courage, move forward in my life and face the fear that has been holding me back. Thank you that you give us all that overcoming power to live life to the fullest, just as you intended us to live. Help me to take up the sword of your spirit which is your word and conquer that enemy of fear! In Jesus mighty name, Amen