Faith Over Fear

 

"Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

 

Fear... There isn't a soul among us that hasn't been tempted by fear at one time or another. Fear lurks in every corner of our hearts. Over the years, I have been blessed to council many women dealing with fear, and often, their fears are attached to loved ones. The enemy can't read our minds, but he can read our actions. If you don't recognize what fear is and where it comes from it will cripple you for life. Fear left unchecked will continue to invade your hearts and scatter seeds of doubt.

 

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly." John 10:20

 

How do we combat fear when it strikes? Shift your focus on a deeper relationship with God. In His presence, you will find grace, joy, comfort, gentleness, truth, blessings, peace, and all the precious results that come from a heart that abides in His presence.

 

Forewarned is Forearmed!

 

1. Pray. Quiet your thoughts and pray. Find a quiet place and bathe your fears in prayer so that your heart may overflow with hope. Give God your worries and ask Him for peace. That might mean every five minutes some days but that’s okay! God's peace comes into those spaces that are occupied with fear. Making continual prayer a habit will guard your heart and mind.

 

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

 

2. Open your Bible. You will find God's promises throughout the Scriptures. His promises are treasures of hope and whispers of love. Speak them everyday into your heart, they are power. Psalm 119:11 states, "I have hidden your word in my heart..." The word "hidden" means to treasure. When we hide God's Word in our heart it will guard our hearts and minds from the attacks of the enemy.

 

"Blessed is she who believes the Lord will fulfill His promises to her." Luke 1:45

 

3. Take authority. Don't let fear cripple you. When despair and fear rises up and threatens to take your breath away, find your horizon and keep moving forward, one tiny breath, one tiny step at a time. God’s Word tells us not be worrying ourselves about anything. Anything! Recognizing the origin of fear is a first step to taking authority.

 

"Casting down imaginations, and every high things that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" 2 Corinthians 10:5

 

4. Believe and Trust. God calls us to respond to life, not merely react to it. God's Word tells us...

 

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27

5. Love. Here's the good stuff... There has never been a time that God has not loved you!

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But He who fears has not been made perfect in love." 1 John 4:18 

 

Sweetest Blessings,

Jo