Finding Freedom From Fear
Not all fear is bad.
A good healthy fear will cause us to do positive and productive things.
Being afraid of something is not wrong. But when we harbor fear, entertain it, and let it grow in us, it becomes a problem. The kind of fear that over takes us, controls us, and paralyze us is not of God. It is a spirit of fear, "for God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7). When you have that kind of destructive fear, take it to the Lord in prayer, and He will set you free from it by the power of HIS SPIRIT. He will rescue you from the torment of it by surrounding you with His love. He will keep your mind sound and give you peace.
God wants us to trust Him enough to take steps of faith in the face of all that we fear. When Pharaoh chased the Isrealites to the Red Sea, they were terrified because they were facing an enormous body of water in front of them and Pharaoh's army fast approaching from behind. They saw no way out. But Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you, you need only be still." (Exodus 14: 13-14). And the Lord delivered them from a frightening and impossible situation.
The most important thing we can do when we feel afraid is to call upon God and ask Him to protect us and set us free from whatever it is we fear. In order to be free of fear, you need to have faith. Too often we don't "fight the good fight" in prayer (1 Timothy 6:12). We don't take the the steps of faith God is asking us to take because of our unbelief. We doubt that God will really protect us or that He even hears our prayers. One of the greatest steps you can take is to read the Bible everyday because faith comes by hearing and studying the Word of God.
Another step you can take is to lift up praise to God. Praise Him for His perfect love, which casts out all fear. Praise Him that He is more powerful than anything you face. Praise Him for His presence, for when you are in His presence, you have nothing to fear.
Stormie is awesome, what more can be said.
I know there are days coming that I will be afraid - but why ponder those when today is great. One day at a time ... that is doable. Like Eliot's mom said (from Oprah yesterday), "I can be sad later - now I am going to be happy."
GRACE AND PEACE!
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