For as long as I can remember I've always been afraid of something. The dark, horror movies, flying over ocean waters, and public speaking are just a few things I have a fear of. Growing up I never really gave much thought to my fears. Never wondered why they were there and never tried to overcome them---I only tried to avoid them. Of course avoidance is just an act of buying time. It doesn't cure anything but instead provides a temporary sense of relief that another fearful experience has been dodged.
Well this just isn't good enough for a child of God.
From studying scriptures I've found that fear is spiritual and it is NOT from God.
"For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
Unlike my younger years, today I consider the effects of fear in my life and I see it as a crazy debilitating state to be in. I realize that Fear lives in the same neighborhood as Worry, and Worry is actually next door neighbors to Doubt, and they both happen to live on Confusion Avenue. They make quite a faithless community, don't cha think?
Well, I'm sick of having a residency there. I don't make annual resolutions but I am declaring going forward to live out a more fearless life. That's my word for 2013 (and really the rest of my life). Now I know fears will come up, but to be controlled by them and allow them to replace God's gifts of power, love, and a sound mind is what I'm not having. I also know that Satan and his henchmen will constantly try to rehash lies and pull my mind back to the old community of thoughts (described above) that leave no room for truth. And I can't give
all the credit to Satan, yes I have a role in my own distress.
In the mind we can create a heaven or hell for ourselves. I've got to work at keeping my mind filled with things that are true and good and continue to capture thoughts making them obedient to Christ.
So just what is my grand plan for living out a fearless life
? Being more specific in my prayers and utilizing SCRIPTURE. Reading them, writing them, memorizing them, praying over them, and reciting them out loud on all occasions.
Fearless Scriptures I feed on:
"For God hath not given us a spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind"
2 Timothy 1:7 KJV
"Let not your hearts be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." John 14:1
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will
strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous
right hand." Isaiah 41:10 ESV
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me..." Psalm 23:4 ESV
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6 ESV
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 ESV
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do
not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV
I made this decision a few weeks ago and I'm just now blogging about it. God has been very true to his promise to never leave or forsake, to never let me be snatched out of his hands. My church family has rallied around me in prayers and continue to send me encouraging emails. In striving to strengthen my walk, God has used me and given me opportunities to share his Word with best friends, family members, coworkers, and sometimes total strangers, which all enriches my faith as well (
Romans 1:11-12).
Trust and believe that Word of God is "alive and active" (
Hebrews 4:12) and it is helping me to live out a fearless life one breath at a time.
