Overcoming Fear by an Overwhelming Trust

Fear of the unknown is perhaps one of the most destructive devices utilized by the enemy to prevent GOD’s people from fulfilling His purpose and plan within them. Fear of failure, fear of losing out, fear of being overwhelmed, fear of simply being unable to keep pushing forward in the face of difficulty—these and so many other fears have gripped the hearts of GOD’s people preventing them from discovering victory in their life, in their pursuits and in their destiny.

How do you break free from the bondage of fear? How do you overcome fear’s grip that seems to strangle the life out of you? You know what I am talking about today. You have confronted fear and failure in your own life and possibly found yourself overpowered by it at times? It has probably prevented you from moving into things you knew GOD was leading you to? It has probably held you back from moving into times of victory and overwhelming excitement that victory would bring? The enemy has utilized fear from the very beginning to hinder man’s progress forward in spiritual victory.

Caleb’s life reveals some important keys to overcoming your fears and living in victory. In Numbers 14, we find Caleb standing strong before the nation of Israel. The nation is on the cusp of victory as they stand on the border of the Promised Land. The spies, having been sent in to check out the land, returned excited about the beauty and bounty of the land but fear grips their hearts as they allow the size of the inhabitants to remove their trust in a bigger, more powerful GOD. They soon find themselves declaring their absolute inability to take the land GOD had already given them.

Caleb stood up and declared: “He will bring us into this land…and give it to us…don’t be afraid of the people of the land, for we will devour them. Their protection has been removed from them, and the Lord is with us. Don’t be afraid of them!” (Numbers 14:8-9 HCSB). Caleb’s faith and trust in a great big GOD prevented him from being fearful in the face of what would appear to be overwhelming odds.

Caleb saw GOD’s ability to bring them through to victory. He refused to allow the enemy’s great size and might to cloud his vision of the all-powerful GOD that he served. He didn’t look at victory as something yet to be attained rather he saw it as something that was already done!

Your victory has already been won. Consider the two ways you have to look at every situation—either from a standpoint of defeat or of victory. Satan would have you to stand in fear as you look up at the giant of a mountain standing in your path. But, GOD would have you to trust in Him to tear that mountain down before you by His overwhelming might and power. It’s your choice to decide who you will listen to. You can submit to defeat by listening to the lies of the enemy or you can live in victory by placing your complete trust in the all-powerful GOD.

We discover quickly that the Israelites chose to listen to the deceit of the spies. GOD responded by declaring: “as surely as I live and as the whole earth is filled with the Lord’s glory, none of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tested Me these 10 times and did not obey Me, will ever see the land I swore to give their fathers. None of those who have despised Me will see it” (vv. 21-23). GOD declared that all who failed to trust Him to take them in would die in the wilderness without ever enjoying His promised land.

Caleb reaped an abundance of rewards from GOD for his faithfulness and trust. The Bible records these words of Caleb: “As you see, the Lord has kept me alive these 45 years as He promised…Here I am today, 85 years old. I am still as strong today as I was the day Moses sent me out…Now give me this hill country the Lord promised me on that day… Joshua blessed Caleb…and gave him Hebron as an inheritance” (Joshua 14:10-14).

You may be facing a mountain of fear today? You may be at the end of your rope…HANG ON, TRUST GOD and He will come through for you in great abundance in His way and in His time. Do not let your fear of the unknown cloud your vision of what is known about our great big powerful GOD. As you learn to place more and more trust in GOD, you will find yourself become stronger and more powerful in His strength and might.

Scripture Reading: “I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken. How long will you threaten a man? Will all of you attack as if he were a leaning wall or a tottering stone fence? They only plan to bring him down from his high position. They take pleasure in lying; they bless with their mouths, but they curse inwardly. Rest in God alone, my soul, for my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will not be shaken. My salvation and glory depend on God; my strong rock, my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Men are only a vapor; exalted men, an illusion. On a balance scale, they go up; together they weigh less than a vapor. Place no trust in oppression, or false hope in robbery. If wealth increases, pay no attention to it. God has spoken once; I have heard this twice: strength belongs to God, and faithful love belongs to You, Lord. For You repay each according to his works” (Psalm 62 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father, I feel as though life is swallowing me whole. The mountains that the enemy has raised up in my path are overwhelming me. I am at the point of throwing up my arms and running but I know that is not the right thing to do. I know that You are there for me. I know You hear me. I know You love me. I know You care about me. I realize that out of this mess I am in victory will arise. I must trust in You today. Father, I place all my trust in You and I am believing You for relief from this pressure and stress. I know the promise of deliverance is on Your lips and I shall soon see it before my eyes. Until then, give me Your strength to continue…I pray these things, in Jesus’ name…AMEN!