For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 TIMOTHY 1:7 NKJV
If you’re like me, you don’t just want to know the promises of God, but you want to know how to walk in those promises and realize your destiny. If we are going to live out the promises of God, we need to push past fear and step out in faith. When we have faith, it opens the door for God to work in our lives. Often, what disrupts our faith is fear, which holds us back and keeps us from experiencing the promises God has for us. Fear and faith are powerful forces in us and have something in common: They both ask us to believe something is going to happen that we cannot see.
Fear shouts that business is slow and we’re going to go under. Faith declares that God is supplying all of our needs. Fear whispers that we’ve been through so much, we’re never really going to be happy again. Faith confidently says our best days are still in front of us.
Each of us has to determine in our own heart whether to activate faith or fear in our life. You may set out to accomplish a goal, then along the way you run into some obstacles that look impossible and you feel like giving up. It is in times like that you can either activate your faith or let fear stop you. Maybe you want to apply for a better position at work, but when you find out someone you perceive to be more talented is also applying, you change your mind and don’t do it. That’s activating fear instead of faith.
Don’t give up, but rise up. Keep moving forward and believe that you’re one step closer to living in the reality of your dream. Those obstacles aren’t there to stop you; they are there to develop you and strengthen your resolve. Fear brings with it torment and tries to confuse your plans.
It is the enemy of your confidence; don’t allow fear to stop you. Sure, it’s good to live life responsibly and make conscientious decisions, but when you let fear stop you from enjoying life or meeting your potential, then you’re not living God’s best.
Maybe you’re missing out on God’s victory and freedom because you keep giving in to fear. If you feel fear today, know that it is not from God. The Scripture says that God is a God of love. He’ll give you the strength and resolve you need to move forward despite your fear. Even when, throughout your life, you see opportunities to settle where it is comfortable, resist the urge. God wants to
take you higher. You will grow and take possession of your own Promised Land when you take bold steps of faith and embrace the new things God has in store for you.
When Joshua and the entire nation of Israel stood at the border of the Promised Land, their biggest enemies were not the armies, giants, and barriers into the land; but they were the fear and discouragement that could keep them from God’s promise.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” —JOSHUA 1:9 NIV
God gave Joshua instruction in the simplest of terms:
“Do not be afraid. You need to be strong and courageous.”
God didn’t just give Joshua a helpful suggestion, but He gave him a command because He knew the path would be difficult. God said, “Joshua, when you feel fear, don’t let it stop you, and don’t allow discouragement to defeat you.” Like Joshua, you may have barriers standing in your way. You may perceive that your coworker in the office is the reason you can’t get ahead or that your spouse is the reason for your lack of joy.
Perhaps you think if you just had better finances you could get ahead. We are all guilty of creating these self-defeating scenarios, but at their very root is fear. What God said to Joshua, He is saying to you today: “Do not be afraid. I will be with you wherever you go.” Remember, the power that is in you is greater than the power of fear.
When thoughts come that say, You’re not able, activate your faith by saying, “I can do all things
through Christ.” Choose faith, overcome fear, and live fearlessly in the freedom God has already given you.
Heavenly Father, I thank You for standing by Your promises. I will overcome fear and discouragement and let my faith arise. I believe I can do all things through Christ Jesus because Your Word says I can. I’m going to live fearlessly in the freedom You have given me and move toward my Promised Land knowing that You are always with me. In Jesus’ name, Amen
Thanks and God bless for reading.
Fear Is Not the Boss was written By Joel & Victoria Osteen and was culled from “Fearless And Free”
