Stop Living In Fear!

In my Bible study today, the writer was talking about fear. I do not think some people realize how badly they struggle with fear. Here are a few lines from my study, they are too good to not share:

"Fear & discouragement are two of satan's most effective weapons against Christians. Fear tells us, "Don't go there -it's dangerous, and you might get hurt!" Discouragement whispers, "You're not strong enough; it will never happen; you don't have what it takes; you're the wrong person; you'd better give up now before you fail!" Haven't we all heard these thoughts echoed in our own minds over the years? We muster up our courage and agree to tackle something new, only to find that fear and discouragement are waiting in the wings, ready to ambush our faith.

Yet as we choose to trust God, HE will accomplish HIS work THROUGH us. When we've heard from God, we can give Him our fears and discouragement, minute by minute if necessary, and then trust Him to do His work. He is able!" ~ Barb Folkerts

Why do we think we have to do everything on our own anyway? Didn't Paul teach us to do all things through Christ who gives us strength? So why do we fear and think you can't do things?

One promise I can make to you is this: God will NEVER ask you to do something, then leave you alone to do it. Time and time again in Scripture, He tells people to do something, most of them were afraid, but they trusted that He would be with them, so they did it anyway. If you feel like God is telling you to do something, do not let fear stop you. 

Watch for the traps of fear and discouragement. Our enemy will use them because that is the best way for him to throw God's plans off track. Our enemy is not more powerful than God. Sometimes we give him too much credit... however, he knows how to distract Christians and keep us from doing what we should be. 

If you struggle with the fear of rejection, hear my heart for a minute, ok? God loves you so much, He will NEVER reject you. You are His child. He bought you at a high price. That payment can never be refunded or returned. Humans let us down and hurt us all of the time... thankfully, our Heavenly Father never will. 

Ask God to help you overcome fear. He will. Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

The thief is religion and satan. They want you to believe that you have to live a certain way in order for God to love you. Or that you must constantly live in fear of God's wrath. God's wrath was settled years ago... He will not be using that on us at all. Jesus came to give us a full life. Not a life of fear.

If you struggle with fear. Talk to someone you trust and have them start praying for you. God can remove that and help you handle it. Living in fear is not really living at all.